The luscious and velvety qualities of gelato, the most renowned Italian dessert ever, often abide by the consensus that it’s a gourmet experience that should be savoured only on its own. Do you agree? Or disagree? Our diplomatic answer is this: while it’s true that artisanal gelato is refined and delicious au naturel, there’s no hard and fast rule to eating it! 

With thoughtful additions, a familiar cup of gelato can even transform into a new and distinct dessert in its own right. As people who have seen one too many concoctions that are more like “You’ve got some gelato on your toppings”, there’s only one main point to note — and that is to never add too many toppings at once, lest you might overpower the gelato’s flavour and create a confused mixture of random ingredients.

So here at Sugartree Gelato, a team of gelato artisans who specialise in bringing a taste of Italy to Singapore, we have crowdsourced with other gelato lovers the best toppings to elevate a basic cup of gelato. This list includes the sweets and savouries as well as natural treats and confections. Take a look. 

Fresh Fruits

Fresh fruit and frosty desserts have always made a remarkable pairing. We’ve perhaps known this since our first eye-opening taste of the banana split. This applies to gelato, which blends well with all sorts of fruits with its myriad of flavours. 

Match tangy berry flavours with fresh berries and citrus fruits to employ the principle of likeness for a foolproof combination. Alternatively, incorporate complexity and balance out the taste by complementing sweeter gelato flavours with tart fruits!

Fruit Topping Ideas

1. Bananas
2. Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
3. Mangoes
4. Cherries
5. Kiwifruits 

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds can add an addictive textural contrast to the dense and soft mouthfeel of gelato. Depending on your choice of grains, these spoonfuls of tiny and crunchy health-boosting ingredients also impart distinctive flavours from earthy and nutty to buttery and rich. 

Certain nuts and seeds that have been treated with heat, such as by roasting and toasting, can contribute smoky notes that introduce a savoury depth to gelato.

Nut and Seed Topping Ideas

1. Almonds
2. Pistachios
3. Macadamias
4. Hazelnuts
5. Chia seeds

Sauces and Spreads

Sauces have long been a natural companion to ice-cold treats such as ice cream and gelato, and their close cousins, spreads, are no exception. Oftentimes rich, this broad category encompasses chocolate syrups, honey, Nutella and more. Not only do these sauces enhance the flavour of gelato, especially milder ones like vanilla bean, but they also add an additional dimension of texture. 

Take, for instance, caramel sauce, which is deliciously sticky and gooey; and peanut butter, which sometimes comes studded with chunks. But there’s more — these sauces also provide temperature contrast against the chilly dessert, creating a fully layered experience that, have we mentioned, is also very visually appealing!

Sauce and Spread Topping Ideas

1. Chocolate syrups
2. Honey
3. Nutella
4. Peanut butter
5. Caramel sauce

Psst! Too sinful for your taste? Sugartree Gelato offers handmade chocolate and caramel sauces that are lower in sugar. Swing by our gelateria in Bukit Timah, Singapore, to relish in it, guilt-free.   

Cookies and Cereal

Do you have a favourite cookie, biscuit or cereal? Try nestling it into a heap of gelato or crushing and sprinkling it over the top for an extra indulgent treat. 

There are truly countless combinations for this one, and it certainly reminds us of the various “culinary experiments” we would conduct during our childhood, like sticking fries into sundaes and more. Needless to say, some of these inventive pairings really stayed with us.

Cookie and Cereal Topping Ideas

1. Oreos
2. Cornflakes
3. Froot loops
4. Pretzels
5. Chocolate chip cookies 

Chocolate and Candy

You’re right to think that chocolate goes with just about everything, but there are some ingredients that it can taste extraordinary with! Chocolate ganache intensifies the rich flavour of dark chocolate gelato with an added touch of sophistication, while chocolate chips introduce boldness and crunch to creamy cookies and cream. 

On the sweeter side of confections, candies such as fruit gummies and nutty nougat bars lend a pop of colour to gelato while giving surprising flavours for a distinctive taste experience. One of our all-time favourites is mint chocolate pieces, which infuse a refreshing, tingling coolness into the frozen dessert.

Chocolate and Candy Topping Ideas

1. Chocolate ganache, bark, chips
2. M&Ms
3. Fruit gummies
4. Nougat bars
5. Toffee bits

Other Special Touches

Wondering what other additions can grace the top of your gelato? Here are some additional ingredient ideas, ranging from novel to classic, that add the finishing details to your decadent sweet treat. They could be a big hit with adults and kids alike. 

Other Topping Ideas:

1. Olive Oil: Odd, but surprisingly delicious. Drizzle olive oil over gelato to amplify the flavours of gelato just as Italians would. We recommend starting with vanilla to test your palate before moving on to chocolate, then strawberry and others.
2. Cheese: Again, unconventional, but a perfect set-up for an epicurean delight! Impart a rich and savoury dimension to sweet gelato with ricotta or mascarpone.
3. Potato Chips: Salt brings out the flavours of gelato to create inviting nuances that leave you craving more. In essence, it’s a sweet-salty pairing that’s as irresistible as it is timeless. Moreover, salt helps to cancel out bitterness, rendering some fruit-based gelatos more palatable.
4. Whipped Cream: Did you know? It’s not unusual to find gelaterias offering gelato with a squeeze or two of whipped or fresh cream in Italy. Complement the light flavour and airy texture of it with the likes of sprinkles, maraschino cherries and the stuff you like on your typical ice-cold desserts.
5. Crushed Waffle Cone: When it’s inconvenient to have it in a cone, you can still have it in a cup with the cone.

Experiment with an Assortment of Gelato Flavours at Sugartree Gelato

Redefine your gelato experience, whether at home or in-store, with these enticing toppings! Whether you opt for the classic charm of fresh fruits or the indulgent allure of chocolate, each addition has the ability to accent your sweet treat uniquely. Don’t cramp your own style, let your creativity loose and explore these delightful toppings and more for a one-of-a-kind gelato masterpiece!

Order premium handcrafted gelato at Sugartree Gelato, in tubs of mixed flavours for endless experimentation. We have the classics, like Vanilla Bean and Salted Caramel Cacao Nibs, and our signature Chrysanthemum Oolong; as well as more luxurious picks like Roasted Pistachio, Cookies and Berries Cream and Litchi Raspberry. Discover the full range here. Reach out to us for more information.