Level-up your ice cream game with these tantalising ice cream topping ideas

Ice cream is a timeless classic treat that has the power to transport us to distant memories and sunny days, all from a mere spoonful. But what if you could elevate that joy further? Well, the power is in your own taste buds. And you can do it by introducing new alluring textures and tastes to your bowl. It’s no surprise that our favourite ice cream is chocolate — we adore it so much, in fact, that we developed our very own Ice Cream of the Gods. And we love nothing more than giving our beloved chocolate ice cream an extra bit of pizazz with heavenly toppings.

So welcome to this exclusive Hotel Chocolat guide to the most fabulous ice cream topping ideas, from the weird to the wacky and wonderful. Lavish, sprinkle, and squeeze these toppings onto your ice cream to your heart’s desire — there’s no judgement here.

Salted caramel drizzle

Let’s start simple: few things harmonise with ice cream quite like salted caramel.

Drizzling this golden elixir over your chocolate ice cream not only brightens the visual appeal but also elevates the entire ice cream experience. The contrast between the sharp zing of sea salt and the sweetness of caramel takes the richness of your ice cream to a whole new level.

Prepare yourself for a journey that is smooth and velvety, and enjoy the way the contrasting flavours melt on the tongue. You can add a salted caramel drizzle to any ice cream flavour, but we’d label salted caramel as a match made in heaven for chocolate ice cream.

Salted caramel is extremely easy to make with a simple blend of four staple ingredients: sugar, butter, heavy cream, and salt. However, if you’re in need of a quick fix, our Salted Caramel Chocolate Puddles make a grand ice cream topping alternative.

Add them whole for a tantalising sweet-kick, or snap them directly into the bowl for chunks of soothing caramel chocolate with a pinch of sea salt.

Chocolate shavings and chilli flakes

Looking to bring a kick to your ice cream? Let loose and allow yourself to go a little wild with finely shaved chocolate, topped with a dash of chilli flakes. This is one of those rogue ice cream topping ideas that balance delicacy and daring on a deliciously fine line.

You see, the cacao keeps things familiar and soothing, while the chilli brings an unexpected bite. Our rich and bold 90% Dark Chocolate Slab is perfect for shaving into a bowl of soothing ice cream.

Chilli with dark chocolate is a flavour combination that we can’t get enough of. There’s something about the boldness and depth of dark chocolate that works perfectly with fiery chilli. It’s not too spicy, and it’s not overpoweringly sweet — it’s a medley of umami flavours that cannot be missed.

Shaving chocolate and dicing chillies can be an arduous and (sometimes tear-inducing) experience, but our Chilli Dark Hot Chocolate Sachets will do the hard work for you with flakes of 70% Dark Chocolate and a tingle of Habanero Chilli.

If you fancy a mouth-tingling treat but it’s too chilly for ice cream, why not get your apron on and use our Chilli Dark Hot Chocolate Sachets to create a wonderfully creamy Ganache Pot? Our hot chocolate sachets are incredibly versatile and can be used for baking and cooking, as well as drinking.

Simply half-fill your Velvetiser with 110ml of milk, cream, or a plant-based milk of your choice and add 10 heaped teaspoons of your drinking chocolate. Press the button and give The Velvetiser 2.5 minutes to work its magic. Pour into 2 small ramekins and chill in the fridge for at least two hours. Then, serve and savour.

Balsamic vinegar reduction

Before you turn away in distaste, we urge you to stay with us on this ice cream topping idea. Balsamic vinegar has a tangy, sweet taste due to its main ingredient: grape must.

Whilst you may associate vinegar with acidity, grape must gives balsamic vinegar its thick and syrupy sweet texture.

It’s not uncommon to see balsamic vinegar paired with foods such as cheese, bread, fresh fruit, meat, and fish. Well, that’s how the Italians do it — and that’s something we can trust. Balsamic vinegar works extremely well with creamy foods, so why wouldn’t it work with ice cream?

Chocolate ice cream and balsamic vinegar creates a delightful combination with the added depth of complex flavours. It’s unusual, and it’s definitely unique, but you’ll experience a new combination of flavours like never before. Top with strawberries for a refreshing dash of sweetness.

Crunchy Nuts

No, not the cereal, although that may be another wonderful combination…

Instead, opt for the real deal and create a bite with a bit of crunch: almonds, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts — whatever your taste buds desire.

If you’re looking for a healthy ice cream topping, then nuts are a definite go-to; nuts are rich in proteins, fibres and healthy fats. Not only do they add a delightfully nutty kick to your ice cream, but they also add nutritional value. Good for the heart, and even better for the soul.

For a delectable ice cream topping, why not add Dark Chocolate Brazil Nuts to your bowl? Whole roasted for a full-on rich and nutty crunch.

Which nuts make the best ice cream toppings?

Try out a range of nuts as ice cream toppings, depending on your individual taste:

• Almonds are crunchy with a mild, slightly sweet flavour. They pair well with many flavours of ice cream (though chocolate is always our go-to, of course). You could add them whole, crushed, or even in the form of almond butter for a smooth flavour companion.

• Pecans are rich and buttery, working well with sweet flavours of ice cream such as caramel. Why not take your pecan ice cream topping to the next level by toasting them in a shallow frying pan with sugar and vanilla for an extra crunch?

• Walnuts will ground the flavour of your sweet ice cream, offering a layer of humble earthiness and bitterness. When eaten alone, they’re a savoury treat through and through. But when paired with sweet ice cream, their combined flavours will transport you to a whole new dimension.

• Pistachios have a sweet, buttery, earthy flavour that pairs perfectly with ice cream flavours such as chocolate, cherry, and strawberry. Pistachios also add a dash of vibrant colour, adding to your ice cream’s aesthetic appearance.

• Macadamia nuts are bold and rich, providing a soft crunch compared to the other nuts on this list. Coconut and macadamia nut are a flavour match made in taste heaven, and they also pair well with other tropical fruit-based ice creams.

If you still crave a cacao-rich bite alongside this ice cream topping, combine two in one with our range of Nut Chocolate. From the silky smooth to the dramatically crunchy, choose an ice cream topping perfectly suited to you.

Fruity zest

Now, this wouldn’t be an ice cream topping ideas list without adding something fruity and zingy to the mix. It’s very common to pair fruit toppings and fruity chocolate with ice cream for a variety of delicious reasons. Whether it be for aesthetic appeal, for extra texture, or for nutritional balance, fruity ice cream toppings cannot be missed.

If you’re still after a well-deserved chocolate fix, our Chocolate Orange Tangs are filled with zesty pure orange juice, set with a smidge of pectin, enrobed in rich, dark chocolate. They’re perfect for snapping over a bowl of fresh ice cream — you may even enjoy assembling it as much as eating.

To go all-in with fruitiness, you can peel the zest of lemons, limes and oranges to create a citrusy flavour concoction – perfect for vanilla, chocolate and mint ice cream. Zest is a brilliant addition to ice cream due to the juxtaposition of texture; the smooth, creamy ice cream with a bite of tangy zest will act like a flavour explosion for each and every spoonful.

No matter the weather, you can always bring sunshine to your bowl with a concoction of strawberries and mint leaves. Reminiscent of a summer punch, sliced strawberries with sprigs of mint combine wonderfully to make vanilla ice cream extra flavourful.

If you’re a rum and raisin ice cream lover, why stop there when we’ve already come so far? Our Rum Soaked Sultanas are soaked in rum to the perfect amount of juiciness, then sealed in milk chocolate for extra decadence.

Hotel Chocolat’s Ice Cream of the Gods

We understand that there are some days when you just want to lavish up the sun with a well-deserved ice cream in hand without any fuss. To get an extraordinary ice cream straight into your hands, pop along to one of our cafes and try our Ice Cream of the Gods.

But, what makes this ice cream different from the rest? Cacao is at the heart of all we do, from our Latte Sachets to our mellow and malty Cacao Gin — and our ice cream is no different. Each mouthful is infused with cacao nibs, providing a deep and nuanced flavour profile that showcases just why the humble cacao pod is our hero ingredient. What’s more, rather than adding cacao at the end, we infuse cacao nibs directly into the cream before it’s churned and frozen. The result? Ice cream that has chocolate at its very core.

Level up your ice cream game

So there you have it, a whistle-stop guide for turning your ice cream bowl into an oasis of sublime flavours and intriguing textures. From the mind-boggling and unexpected to the classic flavours we’ve known and loved for centuries, each topping adds its own kind of magic. At Hotel Chocolat, we know that ice cream is wonderful on its own, but why stop at wonderful when you can make it even better?

This isn’t just about adding toppings, however; it’s about creating experiences. Each spoonful should be an adventure and a mini excursion for your taste buds. Whether you’re sticking to classic comforts or stepping out of your culinary comfort zone, there’s no limit to what your bowl of ice cream can become — and you can’t go wrong with our very own range of tantalising offerings.

Which chocolate ice cream topping will you choose?

Dive into our world of decadence and find your ideal ice cream companion from our suggestions above. Or, if they don’t take your fancy, think of something entirely new — ice cream has no limits. Add a salty twist with crushed crisps or add a Mediterranean vibe to your vanilla or lemon ice cream with olive oil.

Live a little, lavish a lot, and make every spoonful an event to remember. Explore our chocolate range and transform your ice cream with a few creative topping ideas. Indulge yourself – trust us, you’ve earned it.