Monday, July 15, 2013

Tips For Making An Ice Cream Sundae Bar

By Carmella Watts


The ice cream sundae bar is one of those pleasures that children enjoy when it is sunny and when the weather is hot. They're great for kids' parties, but when done right can also cater for grownups too. By following certain tips time as well as money can be saved.

You should avoid setting one up during the week, especially if you have work the next day, as there may be clearing up to do. Of course, you could hire out a specialist firm to do the work but by doing the work yourself you'll save money, money that can be used to buy more of the things your guests will enjoy.

Although you don't always see this at professional stands, it is usually best to scoop the ice cream beforehand if doing the job yourself. Children can be notoriously messy, and, additionally, doing this saves time and makes it easier for your guests to make their own sundaes. No-one wants to have to wait in line while a kid struggles to carve out a ball from a dessert that is frozen solid.

The trick with scooping before the party is to do so about an hour or so before the event. Put the scoops into a bowl and put the bowl back in the freezer, only removing around ten minutes or so before they are ready to serve.

Trying to keep toppings warm throughout the day is a challenge for any host or hostess. Hot fudge sauce and caramel sauce are an important part of the process of making sundaes so keeping the sauces warm is a priority. To do this you can use a small slow cooker, one ordinarily used to cook gravy or savory sauces. Be sure to stir the sauce at intervals to stop it from developing a layer of skin on top, and to ensure that the bottom does not stick.

It might not be a good idea to have a party with just one variety of ice cream or topping. Variety is deemed to be the spice of life and it works the same way for this. Buying a variety of ice creams in your local store will probably mean kids enjoy coming up for the frozen dessert more than once. Don't forget to cater for adults by making up topping with alcohol, brandy and chocolate being one suggestion.

If you're the type who is always looking to do a little extra for their guests and create a bit of a wow, then doing a little baking could be right up your alley. By making waffles, doughnuts or chocolate chip cookies, you're creating a great base for guests to start off their sundaes. Brownies also work well in this respect. If baking seems a little too much then just buy ready-made from the local store. No-one needs to know.

By putting in some effort, your ice cream sundae bar can be one your guests will remember for a while. By choosing the right ice creams, the right toppings and by baking a few extra treats to go along with the usual things, you should be able to look upon the event as a job well done.




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