The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae

What is the most comforting dessert imaginable? Is it a warm, gooey, fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookie? Or is it a classic ice cream sundae, piled high with sauces, whipped cream, and a cherry on top? With this recipe, you never have to choose again.

This guide will show you how to create the ultimate Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae. We start by baking a giant, soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie in a sheet pan, then top a warm square of it with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream, decadent drizzles of hot fudge and caramel, and all the classic fixings. It’s an incredibly indulgent, satisfying, and deeply comforting dessert that is perfect for sharing.

What makes this recipe so special is the warm, soft cookie base. It elevates the standard sundae into something truly extraordinary. This guide breaks down how to make the perfect “cookie slab” and assemble a restaurant-quality Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae at home. It’s the perfect treat for family movie nights, casual get-togethers, or anytime you need a serious dose of happiness.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Magic of the Sheet Pan Cookie

Instead of making individual cookies, this recipe for the Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae has you press the entire batch of dough into a sheet pan. This technique is brilliant for a few reasons:

• Perfect Texture: It creates the ideal base for a sundae. The edges get beautifully golden and slightly crisp, while the center stays incredibly soft, gooey, and chewy.
• Simplicity: It’s much faster and easier than scooping out dozens of individual cookies.
• The Warm Cookie Effect: Serving a scoop of cold ice cream on a still-warm piece of this cookie slab creates an incredible temperature and texture contrast that is the heart and soul of this dessert.

The Baker’s Secret: Why Add Instant Coffee?

You’ll notice a teaspoon of instant coffee granules in the cookie dough ingredients. This is a classic baker’s secret! The small amount of coffee won’t make your cookies taste like coffee. Instead, it acts as a natural flavor enhancer that deepens and intensifies the flavor of the chocolate, making it taste richer and more complex. It’s a simple trick that elevates the cookie base for your Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae from great to absolutely unforgettable.

The Key Ingredients for Your Sundae Masterpiece

Each component of this Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae is chosen for maximum flavor and comfort.

• For the Sheet Pan Cookie:
  • Butter, Brown Sugar, and White Sugar: This classic trio creates a cookie that is both chewy (from the molasses in the brown sugar) and has slightly crisp edges (from the white sugar).
  • Instant Coffee Granules: Our secret ingredient to make the chocolate flavor pop.
  • Chocolate Chips or Chunks: Use your favorite! Semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or a mix of chunks and chips all work wonderfully.
• For the Sundae Toppings:
  • Vanilla Ice Cream: A high-quality vanilla ice cream is the perfect creamy, cool counterpoint to the warm, rich cookie.
  • Hot Fudge and Caramel Sauce: The classic duo. Using good quality store-bought sauces makes this dessert easy, but you can also use your favorite homemade versions.
  • Whipped Cream and a Maraschino Cherry: It isn’t a true sundae without them! These are the iconic finishing touches.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Ultimate Sundae

Follow these simple instructions to create your Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae.

Part 1: Bake the Sheet Pan Cookie

1. Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Thoroughly grease and flour a quarter sheet pan (approximately 9×13 inches). This is a crucial step to prevent the cookie slab from sticking.
2. Cream the Fats and Sugars: In a large bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until they are well combined.
3. Add the Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix them together until smooth.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking soda, and the heaping teaspoon of instant coffee granules.
5. Make the Dough: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. It’s best to do this in a few batches, mixing gently after each addition until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Finally, gently stir in the chocolate chips or chunks.
6. Press and Bake: Spread the finished cookie dough evenly into your prepared pan. Use a spatula or your hands to press it into the corners and create a flat surface. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. The cookie is done when the edges are golden brown and the center is just set. It’s better to slightly underbake it to keep the center gooey. Let it cool slightly in the pan.

Part 2: Assemble Your Sundae

1. Prepare the Toppings: While the cookie is baking or cooling, gently warm your hot fudge and caramel sauces so they are easily pourable.
2. Build Your Sundae: To serve, cut a generous square of the still-warm cookie and place it on a plate or in a shallow bowl.
3. Top it Off: Place a large scoop of vanilla ice cream in the center of the warm cookie square.
4. Add the Drizzles: Generously drizzle both the warm hot fudge and caramel sauces over the ice cream and cookie.
5. The Finishing Touches: Finish your Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae with a classic swirl of whipped cream and, of course, a bright red maraschino cherry right on top. Serve immediately and enjoy the incredible combination of warm and cold, chewy and creamy.

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Turn it Into a “Build Your Own Sundae” Bar

This recipe is perfect for a party! To create a fun, interactive dessert experience, simply:

1. Bake the sheet pan cookie as directed.
2. Cut the warm cookie into squares and place them on a platter.
3. Set out tubs of different ice cream flavors (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry).
4. Arrange all the toppings—hot fudge, caramel sauce, whipped cream, cherries, nuts, sprinkles, crushed candies—in separate bowls with spoons.
5. Let your guests build their own custom Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae!

Storage Information

The baked sheet pan cookie can be stored, tightly covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days. Simply warm a square in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before building your sundae.

Creative Recipe Variations

Use this sheet pan cookie method as a base for other amazing sundae creations!

Flavor Variation	How to Adapt the Recipe	The Delicious Result
Peanut Butter Dream Sundae	Use a peanut butter cookie dough recipe for the base. Top with chocolate ice cream, peanut butter sauce, hot fudge, and chopped peanut butter cups.	An absolute dream for any peanut butter and chocolate lover.
“Brookie” Sundae Supreme	Bake your favorite brownie recipe in the sheet pan instead of the cookie dough. Top with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and toasted pecans.	The ultimate combination of a fudgy brownie and a classic sundae.
S’mores Cookie Sundae	Mix 1 cup of mini marshmallows and 1 cup of crushed graham crackers into the cookie dough before baking. Top with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and a dollop of marshmallow fluff.	All the flavors of a campfire s’more in a warm, gooey sundae.

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Conclusion: The Perfect Comfort Dessert

This Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. The magic of a warm, soft chocolate chip cookie straight from the pan, combined with cold, creamy ice cream and decadent sauces, is a feeling of pure comfort and joy. It’s simple to make, perfect for sharing, and guaranteed to be a new family favorite. Enjoy creating—and devouring—your ultimate Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae.

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