Ice cream sundae cone
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Photo: Wikipedia
An ice cream sundae cone is a handheld delight featuring scoops of creamy ice cream nestled in a crisp, edible wafer cone, often drizzled with syrup and topped with a cherry. Its texture is a satisfying contrast of cold, smooth cream and a crunchy, sweet shell, delivering a classic, indulgent treat. Nutritionally, it is a high-energy food, primarily from carbohydrates and fats, with minimal protein and fiber.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the nostalgic, joyful experience of a classic American dessert, combining the creamy richness of ice cream with the satisfying crunch of a cone. Its versatility allows for endless customization with toppings like hot fudge, sprinkles, and nuts, making it a universally appealing and customizable treat.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar and saturated fat content can lead to blood-sugar spikes and is a concern for those managing weight or heart health. To counteract this, practice portion control by choosing a smaller cone or sharing, and pair it with a source of protein or fiber (like a handful of nuts) to slow sugar absorption. Individuals with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies should be cautious and consider dairy-free alternatives.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fats.
- Offers a convenient, single-serving format for on-the-go enjoyment.
- Can serve as a morale-boosting treat or celebratory food.
- The cone itself provides a small amount of dietary fiber.
- Can be a vehicle for calcium and some vitamins if made with dairy ice cream.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The ice cream cone as we know it was popularized at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, where a waffle maker and an ice cream vendor teamed up to create a portable, edible vessel for ice cream.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 53.3 g |
| Energy | 254 kcal |
| Energy | 1061 kj |
| Protein | 3.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 14.0 g |
| Ash | 0.80 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 28.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 21.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 60.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.36 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 20.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 128 mg |
| Potassium, K | 204 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 115 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.56 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.09 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.21 mg |
| Niacin | 1.1 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.36 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.05 mg |
| Folate, total | 19.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 14.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 5.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 29.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 11.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.35 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 117 ug |
| Retinol | 116 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 14.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 410 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.11 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 4.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.50 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 2.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.7 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.30 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.40 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.2 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.60 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.8 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.75 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.66 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 15.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.01 g |
| Threonine | 0.02 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.03 g |
| Leucine | 0.06 g |
| Lysine | 0.02 g |
| Methionine | 0.01 g |
| Cystine | 0.02 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.04 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.02 g |
| Valine | 0.04 g |
| Arginine | 0.03 g |
| Histidine | 0.02 g |
| Alanine | 0.03 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.03 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.29 g |
| Glycine | 0.03 g |
| Proline | 0.10 g |
| Serine | 0.04 g |
FAQ
Is an ice cream sundae cone a healthy snack?
No, it is primarily a treat or dessert. While it provides energy, it is high in sugar and fat with minimal protein or fiber. It should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes, you can use lower-sugar ice cream, a whole-grain or sugar-free cone, and top it with fresh fruit or a small amount of dark chocolate instead of sugary syrups to reduce the overall sugar and calorie content.
What are common allergens in an ice cream sundae cone?
Common allergens include dairy (from the ice cream), gluten (from the cone), and nuts (if used as a topping). Always check ingredient labels if you have allergies.