Remember those old-school ice cream shops? The ones with bright red cherries and pineapple sauce for ice cream? Let’s bring that sweet summer vibe back.
It’s a hot summer day, and your bowl of vanilla ice cream seems a tiny bit plain. But what if you put a sweet and tasty pineapple ice cream sauce on top? Every bite is a mouthful of sunshine all of a sudden.
Pineapple syrup for ice cream that makes any scoop out feel like a sundae in the islands. I prepare this homemade pineapple dessert sauce all the time in the summer because it’s easy to make and tastes amazing on just about everything. It’s everything I want: sweet pineapple drizzle in ice cream, with no artificial flavouring or heavy syrups.
Let’s bring that sweet summer vibe back with a homemade pineapple topping that’s even better than you remember. In today’s post, I’ll show you perfectly how to make this quick, fresh pineapple topping for ice cream.

What Is Pineapple Ice Cream Sauce?
Pineapple ice cream is a flash-frozen dessert that tastes like sweet and sour tropical fruit. It has a smooth thickness and a warm pineapple flavour. You can make it with fresh or canned pineapple with sugar and a tiny bit of lemon juice. This sauce will add a shiny, tropical touch when you drip it over ice cream.
People desire pineapple ice cream, which is a fabulous dessert. All love this ice cream because it tastes refreshing and sweet with a touch of sourness. It has its beginning in 18th-century Europe, where it was a tropical luxury that many people enjoyed.
It originally came up in Europe in the 1700s. L’Art of Bien making Les Glaces d’Office, a French book from 1768, has the first recipe. English cooks were making pineapple sherbet and ice cream by 1770. Back then, pineapples were special and expensive; thus, these treats were a symbol of wealth and hospitality. This sauce is simple to make. You don’t need fancy ingredients. It’s perfect for adding a sunny outburst of flavour to your favourite ice cream or dessert.
How to Make Pineapple Ice Cream Sauce?
If you’ve never tried a pineapple ice cream topping recipe, you’re missing such a special thing. Let’s make this simple recipe. I hope you will enjoy it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Pineapple
Take 2 cups of chopped fresh pineapple. Fresh pineapple is best for a shiny flavour. You can also use canned. Just make sure to drain it well.
Sugar
Take ⅓ cup of sugar to sweeten the sauce. White sugar maintains sauce. Light brown sugar adds a mild caramel note.
Lemon Juice
Take 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice for a tiny savor and to balance the sugariness.
Cornstarch
Take 1 teaspoon of cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
Water
Take 2 tablespoons of water to mix the cornstarch. This will help you avoid lumps.
Vanilla Extract (Optional)
Take 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a tiny warmth and depth of flavor.
Salt
Add a pinch of salt to maintain the natural sweetness in the pineapple.
Butter
Add 1 tablespoon of butter for a buttery flavour. Its flavour is like a tropical twist on pineapple caramel sauce.
Make It With Simple Steps
Step 1
Put your favourite pan on the stove. The heat level should be over medium heat. Add chopped pineapple, sugar, and lemon juice. Then cook for 6–8 minutes. Stirring until the pineapple softens and starts to break down.
Step 2
Take a small bowl. Then mix the cornstarch and water until smooth.
Step 3
Take the cornstarch and water mixture into the simmering pineapple mixture. Mix well and cook for 2–3 more minutes. The sauce will thicken and turn smooth in texture.
Step 4
Remove the pan from the stove. Then add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Serve warm over ice cream, or cool and refrigerate for later. The sauce will thicken more as it chills.
Serving Suggestion
Looking for ideas? This sweet pineapple pour-over goes far beyond sundaes. Try it with:
- Vanilla, coconut, or mango ice cream
- Banana splits or tropical sundaes
- Pound cake or cheesecake
- Pancakes, waffles, or crepes
- Yoghurt, parfaits, or rice pudding
No matter how you serve it, this fresh pineapple sauce for sundaes brings a sprinkle of fruity fascination to your food.
Pro Tips
- Use ripe pineapple to get the best flavour in the sauce.
- Simmer to help the sauce shorten and thicken.
- Prefer smoother sauce? After cooking, blend this pineapple sundae sauce.

Pineapple Ice Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Fresh Chopped Pineapple
- 1/3 Cup Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Tsp Cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp Water
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract Optional
- A Pinch Salt
Instructions
- Combine pineapple, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Simmer for 6–8 minutes.
- Then mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl.
- Stir slurry into the pan and cook for 2–3 more minutes, until thickened.
- Remove from heat. Add vanilla and salt. Mix them well in the sauce.
- Serve warm, or cool and refrigerate.
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
Pineapple ice cream sauce is easy to make. After one try, you’ll love it. You’ll wonder how you ever went without it. It goes with everything from ice cream to pancakes.
The best part? You can make it in 15 minutes with fresh or canned pineapple. Make a jar of this topping. Keep it in your fridge. Now you have a tropical dessert upgrade ready anytime.
So grab that pineapple and get cooking. This sweet pineapple drizzle might just become your new summer favourite.
FAQS
Can You Freeze Pineapple Dessert Sauce?
Yes, you can! Let the pineapple dessert sauce cool completely first. Then pour the sauce into a jar or container. Leave a little space at the top, since it will blow up as it freezes. This pineapple dessert sauce keeps well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What Desserts Go with Pineapple Sauce?
Ice cream, cheesecake, pound cake, waffles, and pancakes all go with pineapple sauce. It also makes yogurt, parfaits, and rice pudding savour like they’re from the tropics. You can serve it hot or cold. It has a lot of tropical taste and is shiny and delicious. This pineapple sauce makes any dessert taste sweet and sour.
How Do I Thicken Pineapple Sauce?
Add 2 tablespoons of water to 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Then, while the sauce is boiling, stir in the sauce. It thickens quickly! Leave the lid on and let the bubbles rise, allowing the mixture to thicken. If it seems thin, that’s okay; it will thicken as it cools.