How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert
An epic sundae served in a large bowl or “trough” with ice, made with ice cream and brownies: How to make a Summer ice Cream Trough Dessert. WATCH THE VIDEO!
Friends, happy almost-June, which means summer is on its way! I was made for sunny days, and I was made for ice cream. Today we’re showing you How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert!
How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert
I love hosting in the summer months, because the sunshine makes everything lovely. We love setting out a cold summer dessert (like this Banana Split Dessert or Old Fashioned Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream!). More importantly, this “How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert” brings back fond memories of my past, and summers with my kids.
What is an ice cream trough?
An ice cream trough is basically a giant sundae served in a very large bowl, our “trough.” It’s made with ice cream, cake, brownies, whipping cream, and your favorite toppings.
Serve with a LOT of spoons!
Ingredients for Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert
The beauty of this awesome summertime dessert is it doesn’t have to be perfect to serve to your guests! It’s fun, creative, colorful, and delicious!
Use what you have in your kitchen (cake mix, brownies, leftover cake), and even a variety of leftover ice cream flavors in your freezer.
Let’s get started with these ingredients:
- Favorite flavors of ice cream
- Brownies (pre-made)
- Chocolate sauce
- Bananas
- Cherries (in a jar) but you can use fresh cherries too!
- Sprinkles
- Whipped cream
Why serve an ice cream trough?
Look around for creative toppings, or use the usual (to make it ONE giant banana split) and pile it high!
Make for a kid or adult birthday parties, or any summer get-togehter.
Perfect for a pool party or sporting party (after a soccer tournament?)
Or, just because it’s summer!
Fond memories at Farrell’s Ice Cream, Portland, OR
I got this idea from my late Auntie Ellen, years ago, but this recipe also brings back great memories. As a kid growing up, in the summer months in Portland, Oregon, we’d head to Farrell’s Ice Cream and dive into the giant “pig trough.” So fun!
I wish we had some of those old photos to share. Those were the days when we’d just enjoy food, with no photos! HA.
It only seems like yesterday when I was planning birthday parties for my kids. I always had a goal to keep the parties simple and fun. Since we had a pool, many times kid would come for a swim party.
Items needed to make the ice cream trough
- Buy a garden trough or a large galvanized tub (mine is 18x12x8) or a very large bowl; something large enough to layer the cake (some people use a rain gutter), ice cream, bananas, etc.
- Above, Abby is in 3rd grade (she’s now almost 26!), where I took a plastic planter box (usually used in window boxes), 24 inches long. For a larger party, you can use 2 of these
- Depending on which size trough you use, you can also make it up in advance and place in it the freezer
- What to buy to make a large ice cream trough
- Trough or extra larg bowl that holds about 6-8 quarts of ice cream
- One 9×13 cake mix or brownie mix (bake in advance), cut into small pieces
- Plastic wrap + ice
- Food items (ice cream, sprinkles, whipped cream, bananas)
- Candles, spoons, bowls, plenty of napkins, and ONE giant spoon
How to assemble the ice cream trough
- Put ice cubes on the bottom of the container.
- Place plastic wrap on top of the ice cubes.
- Scoop the ice cream in large scoops over the plastic-covered ice.
- Cut the cake or brownies into small squares. Fill into the holes between ice cream scoops.
- Place plastic wrap over the whole trough and FREEZE until you are ready to use, or keep going.
- Right before serving, pull out of the freezer and fill the rest of the container with whipped cream, sliced bananas on the side, cherries on top, or any other toppings.
How to serve the ice cream trough
Place it on a large table with a bunch of spoons let everyone dig in.
OR
Scoop out into individual dishes. (Use this method if you’re worried about germs.)
We’ve done it both ways. Oh, and don’t forget the candles!
More summer ice cream desserts to enjoy:
Coffee Affogato With Vanilla Ice Cream
SLICE CREAM SUNDAES recipe – so fun!
Get the Recipe:
How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert
Ingredients
- 6-8 quarts favorite ice cream - we used French Vanilla and Strawberry Sundae
- 1 brownie or cake mix, make ahead and cut into small squares
- 1 can Dairy Whipped Topping Spray
- Syrups - we used a dark chocolate sauce
- 4 Bananas, peeled and sliced
- 1 jar Maraschino Cherries, drained
- Any other topping, candy bars, SPRINKLES, etc:
Equipment
- 1 GIANT TUB
- plastic wrap
Instructions
- Put ice cubes on the bottom.
- Place plastic wrap on top of the ice cubes.
- Cut your cake into cubes, or layer it on top of the plastic wrap.
- Scoop or slice the ice cream on top of the cake.
- Place plastic wrap over the whole trough and FREEZE until you are ready to use.
- Right before serving, pull out of the freezer and fill the rest of the container with whipped cream, sliced bananas on the side, cherries on top, or any other toppings.
Notes
originally posted in 2008 and 2013 and 2018
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
This recipe couldn’t have been better for summer. I made it twice and both times received great comments, laughter and smiles. Thanks for the step by step instructions. BTW, I look forward to your blogs. Take care, Becky
Thank you Becky! I’m glad you enjoyed it :)
We did this a Young Life events and camp. BYOB. Bring your own Banana. Now as a Recreation Director at a resort. I do this every summer during National Banana Split Weekend or National Ice Cream Weekend. It is always a hit. We had a 42 foot one and had additional banana split boats made up as strangers would not want to eat in the same rain gutter as others so we made individual banana split boats and set them in the rain gutter. Next year going for 80 feet and over 100 Banana Splits.. My guest loved it. We also made ice cream in plastic bags.
OMG, what a fun idea for a large summer gathering!!!
Very nice recipe!
Oh my gosh! How awesome! That would be perfect for a pool/summer party!
THis is my new favorite idea, totally trying it this summer. PINNED!
Spectacular summertime diy party idea, Sandy! Kids must go totally insane over this. But, ohmygosh! Hubby and I both grew up in Michigan and we both had Farrell’s as a part of our childhood. Such fond memories! There was even an old-fashioned candy store on the way out. And, yes…there was “The Trough” with 6 scoops of ice cream, I think. (My younger sister could always finish and collected her “piggy ribbons” proudly, LOL!) But! There was also the Big Kahuna called “The Zoo!” Remember that one? It was their largest ice cream sundae dessert and took two Farrell’s employees to carry the ginormous stainless steel bowl in a holder thingy to the tables. I think you just may have succeeded in making The Zoo into a 24-inch Trough! Very innovative way to build it, too. Pinning at Pinterest on all group boards possible! xo
Aww this made me teary. My boys are 3 and 6 and I just feel the years slipping away already! I love this fantastic party idea- very fun indeed!
Oh Sandy, I SO love this post – for so many reasons. The pictures of your kids are precious. And that ice cream dessert – WOW!!! What a party pleaser!! Love this!!
Love this!
This brings back memories of birthday parties at Farrell’s when I was young. I never would have thought of doing this at home. Great idea! Thank you for sharing it.
What an awesome idea, Sandy!!! My sweet Little Buddy would flip out over this!!!
This is terrific, Sandy. Perfect for a summer get together! I’ve pinned it so I don’t forget. My grandsons would love this.