Video: How to Make the Perfect Ice Cream Sundae

Hint: It’s the way Jeni Britton Bauer does it

If there's anyone who knows the secret to building a perfect ice cream sundae, it's Jeni Britton Bauer, the ice cream genius behind Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. We asked her to show us her ideal ice cream sundae when she came by our offices recently, and she obliged with a gorgeous brandied cherry concoction.

Bauer starts with brandied cherries, but you could use any fruit you like—cook it down for a few minutes with just a little sugar and let it cool slightly. She then adds the ice cream, adds more cherries, another layer of ice cream, and then tops the whole thing off with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. She prefers to whip the cream by hand to get it at just the right consistency. (If you overwhip it by accident, just fold in a little liquid cream to fix it.)

For more sundae ideas, recipes, and ice cream making techniques, check out our ice cream guide »