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3/6/2025
What takes a simple scoop of gelato from delicious to downright divine? The perfect ice cream toppings, of course. Gelato, the Italian cousin of ice cream, is a rich and creamy treat that can be taken to new heights with the right ice cream toppings.
Whether you’re a fan of classic pairings or craving something more adventurous, the right toppings can turn your gelato into a work of art, and a flavor-packed experience. In this article, we’ll explore how to transform your gelato with toppings that bring out the best in every scoop.
The Art of Toppings
Toppings do more than just add a finishing touch—they bring texture, contrast, and an extra layer of indulgence to every creamy bite of gelato. From enhancing its velvety richness to balancing sweetness with a bit of crunch or tang, the right toppings can transform a simple treat into something extraordinary.
That’s exactly why we created Talenti Gelato Layers. These pint-sized treats aren’t just convenient—they’re a whole new way to indulge. Each jar is carefully crafted with five decadent layers of creamy gelato, cookies, fudge, and more.
But if you’re feeling creative (or maybe you’re making dessert for a crowd) ice cream toppings may be the way to go. Here are our favorite toppings to inspire your next gelato masterpiece:
Crushed cookies
Crushed cookies add a delightful crunch to your gelato. Whether you prefer chocolate chip cookies, Oreos, or shortbread, this topping adds a little texture and sweetness to every bite.
Best paired with:
- Madagascan Vanilla Bean: Our creamy vanilla, made with the finest Madagascar vanilla beans, is a perfect match for the crunchy, sweet cookie pieces. It’s a classic combo that never gets old.
- Belgian Chocolate: Rich chocolate and crunchy cookies—do we even need to say more? It’s the ultimate treat.
Hot fudge
Hot fudge is a timeless topping that compliments nearly any gelato flavor. The warm, gooey chocolate contrasts beautifully with the cool, creamy texture of gelato.
Best paired with:
- Double Dark Chocolate: This one’s for the true chocoholics. The rich, velvety hot fudge takes our Double Dark Chocolate Gelato to the next level. With semi-sweet chocolate morsels and a hint of vermouth, it’s bold, indulgent, and perfect with the gooey fudge.
- Sea Salt Caramel: Our homemade dulce de leche base gets a major upgrade with hot fudge. The touch of salt in the caramel perfectly balances the warm, rich sweetness of the fudge.
Candied nuts
Candied nuts add the perfect mix of crunch and sweetness to your gelato. Their nutty flavor and subtle caramelized coating make a great contrast to the creamy, smooth texture of gelato—especially the richer, buttery flavors.
Best paired with:
- Southern Butter Pecan: Our buttery gelato, with hints of butterscotch, roasted pecans, and swirls of dulce de leche, gets even better with the sweet crunch of candied nuts. Try adding candied pecans or almonds for an unbeatable combo.
- Vanilla Caramel Swirl Gelato: This dreamy blend of creamy vanilla bean gelato and our homemade dulce de leche is already delicious, but toss in some candied walnuts, almonds, or pecans for the perfect crunchy finish.
Fresh berries
Fresh berries bring a pop of tangy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the creamy texture of gelato. Whether it’s strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries, they’re great with fruity or nutty flavors.
Best paired with:
- Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip: This one’s bursting with flavor, thanks to black raspberries from a father-daughter farm in Oregon, mixed with rich chocolatey chips. Add fresh raspberries or blackberries to highlight those fruity notes and balance the chocolate chunks.
- Pacific Coast Pistachio: The roasted California pistachios give this gelato a rich, nutty base, and adding fresh berries like strawberries or blueberries gives it a refreshing contrast that brightens up every bite.
Balsamic glaze
For a savory-sweet twist, balsamic glaze adds a tangy kick that pairs surprisingly well with creamy gelato. Its bold flavor gives your dessert a unique depth.
Best paired with:
- Madagascan Vanilla Bean: The rich, smooth vanilla helps balance the tang of the glaze, making for a deliciously balanced flavor.
- Caribbean Coconut: The natural sweetness of our tender coconut (sourced all the way from the Philippines) complements the balsamic glaze, creating a flavorful contrast that’s sure to surprise you in the best way.
Marshmallows
Light and fluffy marshmallows are the perfect way to balance out rich gelato flavors like chocolate or hazelnut. They add a fun, playful touch to your dessert, with their soft texture, creating a delightful contrast to creamy, dense gelato.
Best paired with:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup: The marshmallows add a light, sweet contrast to the nutty richness.
- Double Cookie Crunch Gelato: Made with oat milk, this dairy-free gelato is packed with chocolate cookie pieces and swirls of sugar cookie crumbs. What makes it even better? Soft, pillowy mini marshmallows, of course.
Spiced honey
A drizzle of honey with a touch of spice adds warmth and aroma to your gelato. It’s the perfect topping to complement cinnamon or coffee flavors. Want to make your own spiced honey? All you need is honey, a pinch of cinnamon, a dash of cayenne, and a splash of vanilla—mix and heat until well blended.
Best paired with:
- Coffee Chocolate Chip: We take our coffee seriously—our beans are sourced from Brazil and Colombia for a rich, bold flavor. The spiced honey adds a little warmth, bringing out the coffee’s depth for a comforting, balanced dessert.
- Sea Salt Caramel: The blend of warm spices with salty-sweet caramel creates an irresistible combo that’s both satisfying and delicious.
Crushed pretzels
The irresistible combination of salty and sweet is truly a match made in dessert heaven. Crushed pretzels bring a satisfying crunch and a touch of saltiness that perfectly enhances the rich flavors of caramel or chocolate-based gelato.
Best paired with:
Caramel Cookie Crunch: The buttery caramel and salty pretzels make for an unforgettable sweet-and-salty duo.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup: The pretzels bring out the nutty, chocolatey richness for an exciting twist.
FAQs
Add toppings just before serving to prevent them from melting the gelato. For hot toppings like fudge, let them cool slightly before drizzling.
Set up a gelato topping bar with a variety of options so guests can customize their own creations. This adds a fun and interactive element to your party.
Fresh fruits, nuts, and honey are great healthy topping options that add flavor and texture without adding too much sugar.
Topping Off Your Gelato Adventure
Gelato is amazing on its own, but adding toppings is a fun way to mix things up. Who says ice cream toppings are just for ice cream?
Toppings can take your gelato to the next level, adding new flavors and textures. Try out the ones we’ve suggested and get creative with your own combinations. Whether you’re crafting a masterpiece or grabbing a jar for a quick treat, there’s no wrong way to enjoy gelato!
Created a topping combo you’re proud of? Share it with us @talenti on Instagram!
