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!

How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert

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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.

Festive: How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert

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!

YUM: How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert

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

Best: How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert

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!

Party: How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert

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.

Every bite: How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert

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.

How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough

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 ... Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert

How to assemble the ice cream trough

  1. Put ice cubes on the bottom of the container.
  2. Place plastic wrap on top of the ice cubes.
  3. Scoop the ice cream in large scoops over the plastic-covered ice.
  4. Cut the cake or brownies into small squares. Fill into the holes between ice cream scoops.
  5. Place plastic wrap over the whole trough and FREEZE until you are ready to use, or keep going.
  6. 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.

SO GOOD: How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert

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

No-Churn Tiramisu Ice Cream

SLICE CREAM SUNDAES recipe – so fun!

Easy Banana Pudding Ice Cream

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How to Make a Summer Ice Cream Trough Dessert

A giant sundae served in a very large bowl, our "trough," made with ice cream, cake, brownies, whipping cream, and your favorite toppings. Serve with a LOT of spoons!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

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

Reposted from June 2018
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!

originally posted in 2008 and 2013 and 2018

how to make an ice cream trough