Shark Sugar Cone Sundaes
August 7, 2025
A bite of summer fun with ocean-blue ice cream, dipped cones, strawberry swirls, and a gummy shark surprise.
Shark Sugar Cone Sundaes are the coolest dessert to sink your teeth into this summer. Each one is topped with a blue chocolate-dipped sugar cone, giving it a fun upside-down twist. With layers of homemade ocean-blue ice cream, cookie crunch, “bloody” strawberry swirls, and gummy sharks, these shark sugar cone sundaes are Shark Week ready.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a fun and easy Shark Week dessert.
- The blue-dipped sugar cone on top adds a crunchy and sweet twist.
- Homemade no-churn ice cream means no special equipment needed.
- “Bloody” strawberry swirls give it a sweet and spooky vibe.
- Gummy sharks, blue candies, and cookie crumbles add texture and color.
- Great for pool parties, summer birthdays, or themed movie nights
- Shark sugar cone sundaes are a showstopper for both kids and adults.
Ingredient Notes
- Joy sugar cones – These give the sundae its signature look! Dipping them in blue candy melts make this dessert stand out.
- Blue candy melts or white chocolate with blue gel coloring – Candy melts are the easiest option for a smooth, even dip, but white chocolate works too if you tint it with oil-based or gel food coloring.
- Heavy whipping cream + sweetened condensed milk – This is the base of the no-churn ice cream. Whip the cream until stiff peaks form and gently fold it into the sweetened condensed milk mixture for a light, scoopable texture.
- Strawberry preserves – Adds that “bloody bite” swirl. Look for a slightly chunky version for visual effect or swirl in strawberry sauce for a smoother texture.
- Chopped vanilla cookies – These add a crunchy contrast to the creamy base. You can use Golden Oreos, Nilla Wafers, or any vanilla sandwich cookie.
- Gummy sharks + blue chocolate candies – For fun finishing touches! The gummy sharks give it theme, and the blue candies add extra crunch and ocean vibes.
Before You Make
Do I need an ice cream maker for this recipe?
Nope! This is a no-churn ice cream recipe, so all you need is a hand mixer (or stand mixer) to whip the cream and a freezer-safe loaf pan to freeze it.
How long does the ice cream need to freeze before serving?
Freeze the ice cream for at least 6 hours, or overnight for best results. It needs to be firm enough to hold its shape under the sugar cone.
Can I prep the dipped cones ahead of time?
Yes! Dip the sugar cones in blue chocolate and let them set completely. You can make them a day or two ahead and store in an airtight container at room temp.
Shark Sugar Cone Sundaes
Ingredients
- Joy sugar cones
- Blue candy melts or white chocolate tinted with blue gel coloring
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- Blue gel food coloring
- Red strawberry preserves (for a “bloody” swirl)
- ½ cup chopped vanilla cookies
- Shark gummies
- Blue chocolate candies
Instructions
- Melt the blue candy melts and dip the tops of the sugar cones to coat. Let any excess drip off, then place the cones on parchment paper to set.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. Add a few drops of blue gel food coloring until the mixture resembles bright ocean water.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the blue base until smooth and fluffy.
- Pour half of the ice cream mixture into a loaf pan and sprinkle with chopped vanilla cookies for crunch.
- Layer the rest of the ice cream mixture on top. Drizzle strawberry preserves over the surface and gently swirl with a knife for that signature shark bite effect.
- Cover the pan and freeze for at least 6 hours, or overnight, until firm.
- To serve, spoon a handful of blue candies into sundae glasses, then add scoops of the homemade ice cream. Top with a dipped cone, a few gummy sharks, and extra cookie crumbles if you’d like.
FAQ
Can I use store-bought ice cream instead of homemade?
Absolutely. If you’re short on time, just layer blue-colored vanilla ice cream in the loaf pan, then swirl in the strawberry preserves and cookies before freezing.
What brand of gummy sharks works best?
Most gummy sharks from the candy aisle work great.
How do I get the perfect ocean blue color?
Use a few drops of gel food coloring, not liquid. Gel is more concentrated and won’t water down your ice cream base.
Will the cones get soggy in the freezer?
The cones are added right before serving, so they stay crisp. If you want to prep ahead, keep the cones separate and assemble just before enjoying.
Sprinkle of Fun
After a long day of swimming like sharks in the pool, these shark sugar cone sundaes are the ultimate way to cool off. It’s half treat, half edible craft—and totally on theme for Shark Week. Just dip your cones, swirl your “bloody” bites, and let the kids build their own ocean-inspired sundae after drying off from their underwater adventures.
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