Craft the Ultimate DIY Ice Cream Sundae Kit: The Perfect Personalized Gift Basket with Free Printable Tags
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Are you searching for a truly unique and delightful gift that will bring joy to an entire family, a couple, or even a special individual? Look no further than this incredibly fun and versatile DIY Ice Cream Sundae Kit gift basket! It’s an idea I’ve been eager to share, and for good reason—these kits were a massive hit as our Christmas gifts last year. Everyone absolutely adored them, proving that few things spark as much universal delight as the promise of a delicious ice cream sundae.
This DIY sundae kit isn’t just a gift; it’s an experience waiting to happen. It encourages quality time, creativity, and, of course, indulging in sweet treats. Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, housewarming parties, or even as a thoughtful thank-you gesture, this kit stands out because it caters to a wide audience. Who doesn’t love ice cream? Plus, the ability to personalize each component means your gift will be truly one-of-a-kind and deeply appreciated.
You might recognize the charmingly colorful painted bowls and matching dipped spoons from a previous tutorial. These handmade items are wonderful gifts on their own, but they truly shine when incorporated into a themed gift basket like this. What elevates this kit even further are the fabulous, holiday-themed printable tags my daughter designed. These tags add that perfect festive touch and are available as a free printable to make your gifting even easier.
If you’re still searching for that perfect present, especially after exploring our 31 days of handmade gifts series, this DIY Ice Cream Sundae Kit might just be “the one” you’ve been looking for. It combines the warmth of a handmade item with the universal appeal of ice cream, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Creating Your DIY Ice Cream Sundae Kit Gift Basket: A Step-by-Step Guide
Building a personalized ice cream sundae kit is a creative and rewarding process. Here’s how you can assemble your own, filled with thoughtful touches and delicious treats.
Step 1: Source and Personalize Your Bowls & Spoons
The foundation of any great sundae kit is, of course, the bowls and spoons! This is where you can inject a wonderful personal touch. While you can certainly purchase pre-made colorful bowls (like this cute set) and plain spoons, crafting your own painted bowls and dipped spoons adds immense charm and thoughtfulness. It allows you to tailor the aesthetic to the recipient’s style or the occasion, making the gift even more special.
To begin, you’ll need to source plain white ceramic or porcelain bowls. I’ve had great success finding small white bowls (approximately 4.25 to 4.5 inches in diameter, ideal for a single sundae serving) at various retailers like Walmart, Fred Meyers, Pier One, and Target, often for a budget-friendly price of $1 to $1.50 each. If local shopping isn’t an option, Amazon offers several small white bowl options that would work perfectly.
For the spoons, long ice tea spoons are ideal as they reach the bottom of taller sundae glasses or bowls. These can be a bit trickier to find, but I’ve often seen them at discount stores like Big Lots. Alternatively, you can find a suitable set of 8 on Amazon. Once you have your basic bowls and spoons, you can proceed with painting them. Remember to use food-safe paint and follow the curing instructions carefully to ensure durability and safety for actual use.
When painting, consider designs that are fun and festive. Simple dip-dye effects, polka dots, stripes, or even abstract splashes of color can transform plain white ceramics into eye-catching pieces. The beauty of DIY is that each piece will be unique, reflecting the care and effort you put into the gift.
Step 2: Prepare (or Purchase) Delicious Toppings & Package Them
The toppings are arguably the heart of any ice cream sundae, and this kit offers the flexibility of homemade or store-bought options. Crafting your own toppings adds another layer of personalization and can offer a “better-for-you” alternative to many commercial brands, allowing you to control ingredients and avoid unnecessary additives. The included recipes for Chocolate Fudge Sauce, Peanut Butter Chips, and Mocha Chips are not only fun to make but also create unique flavors your recipients will love.
For the **Chocolate Fudge Sauce**, the recipe provided is for a rich, decadent hot fudge. However, you can also use our classic Homemade Chocolate Syrup if you prefer a dairy-free option or if the gift basket will be unrefrigerated for an extended period. The generic “Chocolate Sauce” label works for both! If choosing the syrup, it’s more stable at room temperature, though it should still be refrigerated within a day for optimal freshness. Homemade sauces are a game-changer; they taste vastly superior to most store-bought options that are often packed with corn syrup and artificial flavors.
The **Peanut Butter Chips** and **Mocha Chips** are surprisingly simple to make, primarily involving mixing ingredients and allowing them to set. These homemade chips offer a unique texture and flavor profile that can’t easily be replicated by store-bought alternatives. The process is straightforward: mix, spread, chill (for peanut butter chips), or pipe and dry (for mocha chips). We recommend writing the specific variety on the back of our printable “Toppings” labels so your recipients know exactly what deliciousness awaits them.
If time or inclination prevents you from making all the toppings, feel free to supplement with high-quality store-bought options. Consider classic favorites like sprinkles, mini marshmallows, crushed cookies, chopped nuts, maraschino cherries, or even different flavored sauces (caramel, strawberry). When selecting store-bought items, try to choose brands with minimal artificial ingredients for a healthier and tastier experience.
For packaging your toppings, readily available mason jars are perfect. Use 8 oz. jars for the chocolate sauce and 4 oz. jars for the chips. Not only do they look charming, but they are also airtight, helping to preserve freshness, and can be easily reused by the recipient. Be sure to clean and sterilize your jars before filling them.
Step 3: Gather Your Baskets, Containers & Wrapping Supplies
The presentation of your sundae kit is almost as important as its contents. Start by finding the perfect vessel to hold all the goodies. Thrift stores are fantastic places to discover unique baskets, wooden crates, or decorative boxes that can be repurposed. For a simpler approach, sturdy gift bags with cardboard bottoms work wonderfully and are often easier to transport and wrap. Consider the aesthetic you’re aiming for – rustic, modern, whimsical, or elegant – and choose a container that complements it.
Once you have your container, you’ll need filler. This isn’t just for looks; it provides cushioning for the glass jars and helps elevate the contents for a more appealing display. You can shred newsprint or scrap paper you have on hand for a homemade, eco-friendly touch. Alternatively, Dollar Stores often have a variety of colored basket fillers or crinkle paper that can add a pop of color. While you’re there, pick up some festive ribbon or twine to complete the look. Adding an ice cream scoop, a small whisk, or even an ice cream cone holder can further enhance the kit’s functionality and charm.
Step 4: Print the Free Tags & Assemble the Kit
The finishing touch for your DIY Ice Cream Sundae Kit is our exclusive set of free printable tags. These holiday-themed labels add a professional and festive flair to your homemade toppings and make the entire kit feel complete. To get your tags, simply click the image below, then right-click to save the PDF to your desktop. Print them out on sturdy cardstock for the best results.
Once printed, cut out the tags and use simple jute twine (or any decorative ribbon that matches your theme) to tie them securely around the necks of your topping jars. This simple detail elevates the presentation and clearly labels your delicious creations. If you’ve opted for store-bought toppings, you can still use these tags or create your own handwritten labels to describe the contents.
Now, it’s time for the final assembly! Start by adding your chosen filler to the bottom of your basket or container. Arrange the painted bowls at the back or sides, ensuring they are visible and stable. Place the jars of toppings among the filler, creating a visually appealing display. If you’ve added any extra items like an ice cream scoop or sprinkles, nestle them in where they fit best. Consider wrapping the entire basket in clear cellophane and tying it with a large bow for a truly professional and gift-ready appearance.
More Delicious Food Gift Ideas
If you’re looking for other homemade culinary gifts, explore these delightful options:
- Rosemary Focaccia in a Jar
- Red Beans and Rice in a Jar
- Gluten Free Buckwheat Oat Pancake Mix
- Easy Homemade Peppermint Mochas (+ Gift Basket Idea & Lower Sugar Option)
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Ice Cream Sundae Kit Recipes
Ingredients
Dark Chocolate Fudge Sauce:
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 6 ounce unsweetened chocolate
- 1 cup dark chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup milk
Peanut Butter Chips:
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup melted cocoa butter
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Mocha Chips:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- pinch salt
Instructions
For Fudge Sauce:
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Add all ingredients to a microwave-safe bowl and heat 1 minute. Stir until completely smooth.
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Alternately, heat in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
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Pour into jars and refrigerate.* (Makes about 2 cups, enough for 4 half-pint jars for giving.)
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To Serve: Heat a few seconds and stir.
For Peanut Butter Chips:
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Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth.
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Pour onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread into about a 10″x13″ rectangle.
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Refrigerate until set and then cut into small cubes.
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Store in airtight containers at room temperature.** (Makes about 1½ cups)
For Mocha Chips:
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Add all ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
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Line a cookie sheet with parchment.
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Spoon mixture into a cake decorating bag with a round tip (OR into a strong baggie with the corner clipped) and press chocolate chip sized pieces onto the prepared pan.
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Let dry at room temperature for 24 hours or until completely dry to the touch.
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Store in airtight jars. (Makes about 1 cup)
Notes
**Alternately, you can use coconut oil instead of cocoa butter, but you will need to keep them in the freezer and use them frozen.
Nutrition Note: calculations were run for the fudge sauce only.
Nutrition
This article is part of the 8 Weeks of Christmas Ideas series, where you’ll find a wealth of resources for festive cooking, creative gift ideas, time-saving tips, delicious recipes, cherished traditions, and much more, running throughout November and December until the 24th.
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