Photo: Courtesy of Lark Fine Foods

Slurpy, drippy, creamy, sweet—what's not to love about ice cream? But by late summer, my daily diet of the frozen treat means I'm also itching for new ideas. Here are five toppings capable of transforming that bowl of vanilla (or chocolate or strawberry...) into something deliciously new.

Lark Fine Food's Scourtins
They're like...cookie crumbles
Except...they're studded with bits of black olive. The sweet-salty contrast may sound jarring, but it was love at first bite in our office. The traditional French-style cookie's olives are almost raisin-like in their concentrated sweetness. And the super-buttery, super-crumbly texture makes it easy to crush a few of these grown-up cookies (at left) over ice cream.

Spoonable Sesame Caramel Sauce
It's like...traditional caramel
Except...toasted white sesame seeds give this so-thick-the-spoon-won't-move sauce an almost chewy consistency and a subtly salty bite. I especially loved it spooned over Talenti's Double Dark Chocolate gelato, for a doubly decadent match.

Jansal Valley Basil Crystals
They're like...candy sprinkles
Except...this basil candy is made from small, hand-harvested basil leaves mixed with sugar syrup. Crunchy, colorful, and sugary, the topping also packs an herbaceous freshness that can elevate a simple bowl of strawberry ice cream.  



TCHO Cacoa Nibs
They're like...dark-chocolate M&Ms
Except...they pack more good-for-you flavonoids than even dark chocolate. Made from bits of the roasted cacao bean, these nibs have a deep, chocolaty flavor, without any of the usual bitterness associated with cacao beans.

Tabasco Chipotle Raspberry
It's like...raspberry syrup
Except...it packs just a bit of Tabasco's usual heat. This new addition from the hot-sauce kings might raise a few eyebrows as a topping, but the sauce - a thick, velvety blend of raspberry puree and slow-smoked jalapenos - is the perfect balance to a simple scoop of vanilla.