What people pick most
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) asks U.S. adults about ice cream each year, in surveys run by Morning Consult. These are the clearest numbers we have on the most popular ice cream toppings.
In the 2026 survey of more than 2,200 adults, people could pick up to three favorite toppings. IDFA reports these top five:
- Hot fudge: 31%
- Whipped cream: 27%
- Caramel sauce: 21%
- Nuts: 19%
- Chocolate sauce: 18%
IDFA also says granola, honey and cereal were among the least-picked toppings. The same three toppings led in 2024: hot fudge, whipped cream and caramel sauce came out on top from a list of 20.
IDFA’s April 2026 topline tables also asked people to name one single favorite. That survey reached 2,205 adults online from April 7 to 9, 2026, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 points.
| Topping | Single favorite |
|---|---|
| Hot fudge | 21% |
| Whipped cream | 10% |
| Caramel sauce | 9% |
| Sprinkles | 7% |
| Chocolate sauce | 7% |
| Nuts | 7% |
| Chocolate chips | 6% |
| Fruit | 5% |
| Brownie bits | 4% |
| Cookies | 4% |
| Cherries | 3% |
| Peanut butter | 3% |
| Chocolate bars | 3% |
| Marshmallows | 2% |
| Granola | 2% |
| Hazelnut spread | 2% |
| Gummy bears | 2% |
| Coconut shavings | 2% |
| Honey | 1% |
| Cereal | 1% |
Our reading: if you can only set out a few sundae toppings, hot fudge, whipped cream and caramel cover what the most people reach for.
The full list by type
The groups below are our own way of sorting. The numbers attached to them come from the sources named.
Sauces
- Hot fudge
- Caramel sauce
- Chocolate sauce
- Fruit sauces
- Marshmallow cream
One note if you also stir toppings into homemade ice cream. The Ninja CREAMi owner’s guide warns that fudge, caramel sauce and fresh fruit water down ice cream and gelato when used as mix-ins. That is a mix-in point. Spooning sauce over a scoop at the bar is a different job.
Creamy
- Whipped cream
If you whip your own, the cream’s label tells you its fat level. U.S. federal standards say heavy cream has at least 36% milkfat. Light whipping cream has at least 30% but under 36%. Half-and-half has at least 10.5% but under 18%.
Crunchy
- Chopped nuts
- Cone and waffle pieces
- Cookie crumbs
- Granola
- Cereal
The IDFA 2026 tables list favorite nuts with ice cream, counting nuts in the ice cream or on top: pecan 18%, peanut 15%, pistachio 12%, almond 9%, walnut 8%, hazelnut 6%, cashews 6% and macadamia 4%. Another 22% said none.
The University of Guelph Ice Cream Technology e-Book says nuts used in ice cream should be heat-treated or oil-roasted to cut down bacteria. It also notes that makers usually add nuts at about 10% of the ice cream’s weight.
Candy and chocolate
- Chocolate chips
- Sprinkles
- Chopped candy pieces
- Chopped chocolate bars
- Gummy candies
For homemade mix-ins, the Ninja CREAMi guide says mini chocolate chips and pre-chopped candy work well, while large hard pieces stay whole. On a sundae bar, smaller pieces are also easier to spoon.
Fruit
- Fresh berries
- Sliced bananas
- Cherries
- Pineapple
- Cooked fruit
IDFA’s 2026 tables rank favorite fruits with ice cream: strawberry 27%, banana 13%, cherry 10%, coconut 5%, pineapple 5%, raspberry 4%, blueberry 4%, peach 3%, watermelon 3%, apple 3%, lemon 2% and superfruits 2%. Another 18% picked none.
The Cuisinart ICE-21 booklet says freezing mutes sweetness. Our reading is that fruit sitting on a cold scoop may taste a little less sweet than it does at room temperature. For mix-ins, the Ninja guide prefers frozen fruit to fresh.
Baked
- Brownie pieces
- Cookie dough
- Cake pieces
- Waffle cone bowls
Brownies do well in the IDFA 2026 tables. Asked for a favorite confection or baked good to pair with a scoop, people chose brownies 29%, cake 22%, cookies 19%, pie or crusts 13%, and candy bars or fudge 6%. Another 10% said none. Brownie also ranks 6th of 40 flavor names in the same survey: 22% picked it as one of up to five, and 4% named it their single favorite.
Keeping the bar safe
A few safety points help when you set out a lot of bowls.
The FDA says cold foods such as whipped cream and cut fruit should stay at 40°F or below. Leave them out no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when it is above 90°F.
The FDA lists nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Nuts, cookies, cones, sauces and candy often contain one or more of them. We suggest a small card by each bowl that names what is in it, and a separate spoon for each topping.
To work out how much ice cream to buy, use the Plan a sundae bar button near the top of this page. For a full party setup, use Read the sundae bar guide.
FAQ
What are the most popular ice cream toppings?
In IDFA’s 2026 survey, hot fudge, whipped cream and caramel sauce led when people picked up to three favorites. Nuts and chocolate sauce came next.
How many toppings should a sundae bar have?
The sources we use do not give a set number. Starting with the top few from the survey and adding one item from each group above gives guests a range.
Which cream should I use for homemade whipped cream?
Check the label. U.S. standards set heavy cream at 36% milkfat or more and light whipping cream at 30% up to just under 36%.
How long can toppings sit out?
The FDA says cold items like whipped cream and cut fruit should sit out no more than 2 hours. Above 90°F, the limit is 1 hour.
Which toppings are least popular?
IDFA reports that granola, honey and cereal were among the least-picked toppings in 2026. Each was named a single favorite by 1% or 2% of adults.