Trying to plan a fun and easy party for kids or set up a prize that everyone will enjoy for your fundraiser or competition? Try getting dessert supplies and setting up an ice cream party! It’s a pretty simple affair — you’ll need spoons, ice cream cups, the ice cream (or frozen yogurt), some common popular toppings, and people who can scoop! It’s one of the easiest and most appealing ways to make everyone happy! The dessert supplies are also generally relatively inexpensive and clean up won’t necessarily be that bad, especially if you have helpers! Given that around 90% of American households eat a frozen, sweet dessert at some point during the year, it’s a safe bet for something that everyone will enjoy. If you’re worried about certain children being lactose-intolerant or vegan, you can always get sherbet or offer another alternative. And if you want to get fancy, you can always get frozen yogurt or gelato!
What Should I Keep In Mind When Setting Up Dessert Supplies?
The most popular flavors are vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, if you want to go generic. Members of the International Ice Cream Association confirmed in a survey that vanilla is still the most popular flavor, with 28% of their consumers choosing that as their favorite flavor. Popular toppings include chocolate syrup, sprinkles, whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and nuts, but you can get fun and funky, especially with frozen yogurt. Throw some marshmallows, cut up fruit, or gummy bears on there!
Even if you’re serving in cones, it’s always good to have some paper cups and spoons on hand for younger children or those who prefer cups to cones (and it can often be less messy). Even if it’s winter or a colder month, don’t worry about ice cream not being popular. According to the NPD Group, about 40% of Americans will eat ice cream during any two-week block of the year! On average, a person will eat ice cream 28.5 times in the United States every year. You can help add to that number!
Wow, There Are So Many Choices at the Grocery Store These Days
While bona fide ice cream still takes up the majority of the ice cream aisle, it’s not uncommon to now see little tubs of gelato or frozen yogurt also being sold now. It can be hard to tell what’s what (and what might appeal).
Ice cream and gelato are very similar products, both having a custard base comprised of milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, and whatever flavor it’s supposed to be. However, ice cream has a higher air and fat content — the churning process for ice cream is faster than gelato and about 50% air is added to ice cream during the process. This bumps up the volume and cheaper ice creams will tend to have more air in them.
Gelato is churned at a lower speed, lowering the air content, and has more milk and less cream, so although it tastes denser and silkier, it’s actually a bit lower in fat than ice cream. Indeed, its milkfat content is around 3-8% and there’s only 25-30% air, as opposed to 50%.
With frozen yogurt, yogurt replaces the cream, making it a much lower fat option. Its texture can range anywhere from soft serve ice cream to a more sherbety consistency. It is not vegan — it is still considered a dairy treat — so keep that under consideration.
Can I Get an Ice Cream Party Catered?
Yes! Some ice cream parlors or stores will cater an ice cream party or have their space available to rent out for parties, for a truly easy ice cream party experience! Dessert supplies are of course included, and getting to go to a new place is always exciting for kids! Some may even theme the event, according to their own background and be available for birthday parties, weddings, or anniversaries!
Whether you’re an adult or a kid, you probably enjoy ice cream! It’s an easy go-to for a people pleasing event and can be simple to coordinate and execute.