The tin roof sundae is a soda fountain classic: vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, chocolate ice cream, marshmallow sauce and a sprinkling of salty peanuts. Top with whipped cream and a cherry to create the ultimate, nostalgic ice cream sundae.
Tin Roof Sundae
The tin roof sundae originated here in the Midwest, in Potter, Nebraska. This nostalgic ice cream sundae was an invention of The Potter Drug Co., now the Potter Sundry, which opened in the 1916 as a pharmacy and sundry. I spoke with the current owner of the Potter Sundry, Missy, who informed me the tin roof sundae as first served in the early 1930’s. The sound of the peanuts falling on the plate of the sundae reminded the creator of rain and hail on the building’s tin roof, which still intact today (with a just a few improvements, to say the least)!
According to Missy, the original tin roof sundae had two scoops of vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, a scoop of chocolate ice cream and marshmallow sauce. The original version is still served the same way at the Potter Sundry today!
The version of the Tin Roof Sundae still served at the Potter Sundry in Nebraska features the classic vanilla ice cream base, topped with rich and decadent hot fudge. Then, an additional scoop of chocolate ice cream with marshmallow sauce goes on next, followed by peanuts.
About this Recipe
While you can still get this classic Tin Roof Sundae at a soda fountain, ice cream parlor and even the freezer section of your grocery store, making your own is really easy.
Vanilla ice cream is layered with a warm and decadent hot fudge sauce, then a scoop of chocolate ice cream drizzled with marshmallow sauce, followed by a sprinkling of salty Spanish peanuts. An ice cream sundae would not be complete without whipped cream and a cherry on top. Try making your own hot fudge sauce that will keep in your refrigerator for several weeks, so that you can have a Tin Roof Sundae anytime!
Tips for Tin Roof Sundae
- Don’t overheat the hot fudge and marshmallow sauces – only heat to a pourable consistency, otherwise you will melt the ice cream
- While vanilla and chocolate are the classic ice cream flavors, the hot fudge sauce and Spanish peanuts would be great on other flavors, too!
Made this recipe? Comment or rate below or @thetimelessbaker on Instagram or Pinterest!
Tin Roof Sundae
Ingredients
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream * 1 cup or 2 scoops per serving
- 12 Tablespoons hot fudge sauce (heated to a pourable consistency) * 2-3 Tablespoons per serving
- 2 cups chocolate ice cream *1/2 cup or 1 scoop per serving
- 4 Tablespoons marshmallow sauce (heated to a pourable consistency) *1 Tablespoon per serving
- 4 Tablespoons Spanish peanuts
- whipped cream
- maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Divide 4 cups vanilla ice cream into 4 serving dishes (1 cup per serving). Divide 12 Tablespoons hot fudge sauce (heated to a pourable consistency) evenly among the 4 serving dishes (2-3 Tablespoons each serving).
- Divide 2 cups chocolate ice cream evenly on top the vanilla ice cream in each serving dish (1/2 cup each serving). Divide 4 Tablespoons marshmallow sauce (heated to a pourable consistency) evenly on top of the chocolate ice cream in each serving dish (1 Tablespoon each serving).
- Evenly divide 4 Tablespoons Spanish peanuts to top each sundae. Serve with whipped cream and maraschino cherries.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published 8/21; updated 3/2023.