Red, White and Boom! Ice Cream Board

With strawberry, vanilla, and blueberry flavors in one carton, this sundae board is a simple way to create a patriotic dessert everyone will love.

If there is one thing I look forward to every 4th of July, it’s the dessert. Hot dogs and potato salad are great and all, but once the sun starts to go down and the fireworks are about to kick off, you need something fun. Something the kids can go crazy over, something that feels like a little event all on its own.

Enter: the 4th of July Ice Cream Sundae Board.

This is the kind of thing that makes you look like a total party superstar with minimal effort. You don’t have to bake a single thing. You don’t have to turn on the oven. You just pile a beautiful board full of toppings, set out some incredible ice cream, and let everyone build their own dream sundae. It is THAT easy and SO good.

The Star of the Show: Hiland Dairy Red, White & Boom! Ice Cream

I partnered with Hiland Dairy for this one, and honestly, the ice cream basically did all the work for me. Their Red, White & Boom! Ice Cream is a triple-flavor situation: strawberry, vanilla, and blueberry. Absolutely perfect for the 4th of July. The colors alone are festive enough to make the whole board feel like a patriotic masterpiece without any extra effort on your part.
Hiland Dairy is a brand I’ve trusted for years in my kitchen, and this seasonal flavor is everything. Creamy, flavorful, and honestly just fun. If you haven’t grabbed it yet, keep an eye out at your local store. It’s a seasonal flavor so don’t sleep on it!

What You Need to Build a 4th of July Ice Cream Sundae Board

The beauty of a sundae board is that there are no real rules. You grab a large wooden board, a big tray, or even just clear some counter space, and you fill it with all your favorite toppings. Here’s everything I used on mine:

The Ice Cream

• Hiland Dairy Red, White & Boom! Ice Cream (strawberry, vanilla & blueberry)

The Sauces

• Hot fudge
• Caramel sauce

The Fruits

• Fresh strawberries
• Fresh blueberries
• Sliced bananas

The Fun Stuff

• M&Ms
• Mini marshmallows
• Sprinkles (red, white & blue if you can find them)
• Chopped nuts (peanuts or walnuts are great)
• Mini chocolate chips
• Crushed Oreos or graham crackers for a little crunch

The Finishing Touches

• Whipped cream
• Maraschino cherries

See what I mean? It looks impressive, but all you’re really doing is putting things in little bowls and setting them out. The board practically assembles itself.

Tips for Building the Perfect Sundae Board

• Use small bowls and ramekins. This is the key to making a sundae board look as good as it tastes. Group your toppings in little prep bowls, ramekins, or even small mason jars. It keeps everything organized, makes it easy for guests to scoop what they want.
• Keep your sauces warm. Hot fudge and caramel are best when they’re slightly warm and pourable. I like to warm them up right before guests start building their sundaes and keep them in little sauce boats or heat-proof ramekins so they stay loose.
• Set out a variety of textures. The best sundae has a little of everything: creamy, crunchy, chewy, and fresh. You’ve got the smooth ice cream, the crunch from nuts or crushed cookies, the chew from M&Ms and marshmallows, and the freshness of the fruit. When you hit all those textures, you’ve got a truly great sundae.
• Have fun with the patriotic theme. Red, white, and blue sprinkles are everywhere this time of year and are a super easy way to make the board feel extra festive. Stick with strawberries and blueberries as your fruit for a pop of natural red and blue, and the vanilla ice cream brings the white. It’s effortlessly patriotic!
• Pre-scoop if you’re serving a crowd. If you’ve got a lot of people coming over, consider pre-scooping the ice cream into a rimmed sheet pan and popping it in the freezer ahead of time. When it’s time for dessert, guests can just grab a scoop or two without waiting. Game changer for big groups.

Make It Your Own

One of my favorite things about this board is that you can truly customize it to whatever your family loves. A few fun ideas:

• Swap the M&Ms for Reese’s Pieces for a peanut butter twist
• Add a drizzle of strawberry sauce alongside the hot fudge and caramel
• Include waffle cone pieces or mini waffle bowls as a scooping vessel
• Add a little sea salt on the side for the salted caramel lovers
• Set out gummy bears or gummy worms for the kids- they’ll LOVE it

If you’re hosting anything this 4th of July, even if it’s just your own little family, this Ice Cream Sundae Board needs to be on the menu. It’s no-bake, endlessly customizable, and thanks to Hiland Dairy’s Red, White & Boom! Ice Cream, it’s already dressed for the occasion.

Pick up a carton (or two) and let the building begin. Happy 4th!

And if you’re interested in creating more deliciousness with Hiland Dairy products, be sure to check out Hiland Dairy’s recipes too (including some created by yours truly!).