Give Vanilla Ice Cream A Bold Flavor Boost With 2 Unexpected Pantry Staples

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Your guests have finished dinner and are expecting a sweet treat to end the night, but you completely forgot to make a special dessert. If you have a tub of vanilla ice cream in the freezer, there is a simple way to elevate a standard scoop into an impressive creation your party guests have likely never tried. All you need are two ingredients every stocked pantry already has: olive oil and flaky sea salt.

This combination might catch you off guard at first, but after one bite, you won't want to eat plain vanilla ice cream without them. This mix is rooted in Italian tradition, as the nonnas have been adding these ingredients to complement sweet elements for centuries. Knowing which olive oil to use is crucial, as high-quality olive oil adds a silky layer of fat that softens the instant chill of the ice cream, creating a rich, velvety feel. Meanwhile, sea salt accentuates the warm notes of vanilla while adding a subtle crunch. Combining the two transforms an average grocery store tub into a complex, restaurant-worthy dessert. While exact ratios are mostly subjective, there are a few tips to keep in mind that will provide the perfect flavor and texture.

There is a fine line between a sophisticated dessert and an awkward clash of ingredients when it comes to this pairing. Knowing which varieties to pick, and how much to use, is essential for getting it right.

To start, skip the light cooking oils and reach for a high-quality extra virgin olive oil intended for finishing. When drizzling, use a light hand; a thin ribbon over the top is all you need to enhance the base without overpowering it. If you're feeling extra adventurous you could add a drizzle of pumpkin seed oil. 

Similarly, standard table salt won't work here. You'll want delicate, flaky sea salt like you would find in Maldon Sea Salt Flakes or a similar product. Table salt's tiny, dense granules would make the dish taste overly salty, whereas delicate flakes dissolve slowly on the tongue, offering a tender crunch and a balanced burst of savory contrast. Taking this bold risk with your vanilla ice cream will leave your dinner guests pleasantly surprised and asking for seconds. Just keep a light hand; a pinch sprinkled over two scoops of ice cream is enough. 

And if this combination seems to be too extravagant for you or your dinner party, there are plenty of other toppings to go with vanilla ice cream. Or if vanilla isn't what's currently in your freezer, this technique works equally well with other mellow bases like milk chocolate, sweet cream, or fior di latte.