Frozen Brownie Sundae
We’re on the cusp of a holiday weekend which means one thing: food! Well, for me this year, it means carrying and unpacking a never-ending mountain of boxes (yay new house!), but for pretty much the rest of the country, this weekend is the unofficial start to summer. It’s time for the grills to get fired up, for pools to open and to enjoy some serious relaxation outside on the deck or patio. No holiday picnic is complete without a great lineup of food, which of course includes dessert! I have no idea how it’s taken me a year to make this brownie sundae, because I wanted to dig into it the moment I saw it on Emily’s site nearly a year ago. Layers of brownies, vanilla ice cream, peanuts and fudge topping is pretty impossible to resist. Now that I’ve made an entire pan of it, I’m going to need to share some before I devour it all!
For the brownie layers, you can use the recipe I’ve linked to below (my favorite thin, fudgy brownie recipe) or you can use a box mix, but if you do, be sure that it’s one that makes enough for a 9×13-inch pan (some only make enough batter for a square pan). Once your brownies are cool, top them with a layer of your favorite vanilla ice cream, lots of salted peanuts, and then cap it all off with a homemade fudge topping. Whipped cream and cherry are not optional in my world, but you can leave them off if you prefer.
This tastes like a cross between a Peanut Buster Parfait (or a Buster Bar) and a frozen Snickers. Which is to say, if you like peanuts, chocolate and ice cream, you’re going to LOVE this dessert.
What are you cooking up for Memorial Day weekend?
One year ago: Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
Two years ago: Rhubarb Pie-Tartlets
Three years ago: Blackberry Pie Bars
Four years ago: Greek Celebration Bread (Christopsomos)
Five years ago: Lighter Chicken Parmesan
Frozen Brownie Sundae
Ingredients
- 1 brownie recipe for a 9x13-inch pan
- ½ gallon (1.89 l) vanilla ice cream, softened
- 1½ cups (219 g) salted peanuts
For the Topping:
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (256 ml) evaporated milk
- â…” cup (120 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup (113.5 g) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the brownies as directed and allow to cool completely.
- Spread the vanilla ice cream over the cooled brownies, then sprinkle the peanuts evenly over the ice cream. Place in the freezer until the ice cream is completely firm, at least 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, make the topping. Combine the powdered sugar, evaporated milk, chocolate chips and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 8 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow to cool for 30 minutes.
- When ready, pour the chocolate topping evenly over the ice cream and peanuts. Return to the freezer for at least 2 hours, or until firm. Let sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I found this recipe on a box of brownie mix about 35 years ago. I used to make it for my family all the time. I had forgotten all about it until my son-in-law requested it for his birthday. As far as I can recollect, I made an 8 inch square  pan, which is what I just did, so there’s gonna be a whole lotta sauce. We’ll see how it turns out. How can you go wrong? It’s so delicious! And I do try to choose the best quality vanilla ice cream, I think that makes a difference. Happy to see this recipe resurfacing.Â
I made this several weeks ago and it was a huge hit, so much so that my son wants it for his birthday next week!Â
Oh I love these! I will definitely be making this frozen brownie sundae and save it as my availability in the freezer!
Also, which brownie recipe do you recommend using for the base? I ask only because the link doesn’t work.
Use the Hershey cocoa recipe. It’s as easy as a box and never disappoints. It’s on the Hershey cocoa box and online. Â
Can you please provide me with the measurement for chocolate chips. It’s not appearing. Thanks!
A favorite in our house!!!
Everything has gone smoothly until I cooled the top chocolate layer. Followed directions exactly – Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 8 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduced quite a bit. After 30 minutes of cooling, I was left with the mixture in a crumb consistency – almost like a praline. What did I do wrong?
Hi Jennifer, Sometimes stovetops vary in their heat, so it probably just boiled too long at too high a temperature. Next time, reduce the temperature and boil for a little less time. That should fix it.
I made this using a box brownie mix and walnuts instead of the peanuts. Everyone loved it. A great dessert!! Really cured my chocolate craving-so fudgy & rich. My daughter requested I try it with caramel sauce next time just for her. Thanks for the recipe. :)
I made these for my hubby’s birthday last week. Oh. My. Yumminess! The fudge on the top is incredible! Thanks for posting!
Hi Christine,
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe for Frozen Brownie Sundae. You know what I want in this kind of brownie! The moistness right?
When you bite you can feel the little touch of coldness of brownie.
What if I want to add a pinch of espresso powder to the chocolate sauce? Is that OK?
Thanks a lot!
-Prince
Hi Prince, You can definitely add a pinch of espresso powder if you’d like.
Hi Michelle,
Thank you so much! I’m glad to say the I tried it already and that is really good Michelle! I hope you can share another recipe for this! Thank you so much Michelle.
This looks incredible- do you think it would work with the baked Brownie as the base? I’ve been thinking about tackling that one, and this could give me an excuse…
Hi Meri, Definitely! I love those brownies :)
This looks absolutely delicious!! Perfect for summer fun!
Made this over the weekend- to die for good! Rich..delicious…was a great big hit!
Yummy!
This is a great idea! I’ve also seen it as a “treats-a-pizza” So great for summer!
I used a packaged brownie mix but swapped half the water with some French roast coffee left over from breakfast. I also added a pinch of espresso powder to the chocolate sauce! Really Good!
I have one suggestion – “lift with your legs.” Thanks for another fabulous recipe!
That looks like the perfect Memorial Day treat! I hope moving goes really well for you :)
This looks like yummy heavenly goodness.
I just made this…with a few alterations..
I put peanuts in my brownie & I added a layer of caramel sauce over the ice-cream…UNBELIEVABLE!
OK..I’m off to book a dental appointment as I’m sure i’ll need it..
Great recipe.
Looks totally delicious! This is my kind of dessert!
Such a fun dessert, perfect for summer!
I absolutely LOVE your site but I need to stop coming to it if I want to get my assets back to pre-pregnancy but OMG everything I have tried on here is sooo amazing!!! Keep it up!!!
Wow! I could definitely use a huge piece of this right now. Congratulations on your house! Have fun!
This just sort of screams summer doesn’t it? I like to make these for warm weather events, and it’s a bonus that dessert gets made ahead. I should point out that swapping slivered toasted almonds for the peanuts and coffee ice cream for the vanilla is also pretty heavenly.
Okay yep! I will take a whole pan of these. Thank you!!! :)
This looks amazing! I love eating brownies straight from the freezer, so adding ice cream and chocolate topping? Heck yes :)
Wow, this looks so delish! Perfect dish for the hot weather.
This looks so, so delicious! Good luck with the move!
Oh yum!! I love the layer of brownie. These are so perfect to welcome summer!
This looks absolutely divine – thanks for the recipe, cannot wait to try it!!!
This is mouthwatering!
Holy yum! I have made something very similar with coffee ice cream. And I don’t use sugar in the fudge topping. Just sweetened condensed milk, chocolate and vanilla. Pour over the top. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
What a fun summer dessert! I would just like to eat that topping with a spoon!
Firstly, I love brownies! Add ice cream too it and this wonderful topping…perfection! Great recipe!
All of these delicious summery desserts are making it very hard for me to maintain my willpower! Oh gosh, the color added from the whipped cream and cherry just reminds me of hazy summer evenings and iced tea on the porch!
This has got to be the ultimate summer dessert! Easy, quick, and frozen. Sign me up! Good luck with the move. :)
What a perfect dessert for the start of summer! This looks soooo good!! Good luck with the move and getting settled in.
Oh my god, that looks to die for!!! The fudge on top and the brownie base?! DELICIOUS! I can’t wait to make this!!! :)
Good luck on your move and getting settled and getting to organize a new kitchen!! Very exciting!!
Love this brownies sundae!! I can not get enough ice cream lately so I am way to excited about it!!
Snickers is my favorite chocolate ever, so I can’t sit still after seeing this!!! Oh, my diet!!!
This is so perfect for summer! Love that topping especially!
Holy Wow! What a great brownie sundae! I need this in my life, like right now!
Perfect for a summer´s day treat! The combination of toffee, chocolate and peanuts (for me) is always a winner!
Greetings,
Johlene
(Flavours&Frosting)
This looks fabulous and perfect for a party :) Pinning!
Oh, geez, I think I’m in love.
Man, I put on a few kilos just looking at this one
A frozen snickers…so in love! This is calling my name! Hope you have a great weekend with all the boxes to empty. But, if you’re like me, I did the kitchen first. Good luck!!
Good luck on your move, getting settled, boxes, unpacking, and hopefully enjoying your new kitchen!
Peanut Buster Parfait…that just took me back to 1987, riding bikes to DQ, and eating chocolate and PB with my friends after swimming at the local pool. Thank you :)
What I want for Memorial Day is this brownie sundae! Actually I want it now! YUM!