Grilled Pineapple Sundaes with Hot Buttered Rum Sauce

Grilled pineapple sundaes layered with caramelized fruit, hot buttered rum sauce, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. Grilled with ghee for real char and finished piled high.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword grilled pineapple dessert, grilled pineapple sundaes, grilled pineapple with ice cream, hot buttered rum sauce, pineapple rum sundae

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Marinate: 15

Total Time 40

Servings sundaes

Calories 515kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Equipment

cast iron grill pan Holds heat evenly and creates distinct grill marks.
Saucepan (small). For reducing the marinade into a thick rum sauce.
mixing bowls (large). To marinate the pineapple evenly.
whisk Helps dissolve the sugar into the rum juice.
pineapple corer (or a sharp knife). To remove the pineapple core easily.

Ingredients

1 whole (~3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg) fresh pineapple
⅓ cup (80 ml) fresh pineapple juice reserved
½ cup (110 g) packed dark brown sugar
½ tsp (1 g) ground cinnamon
1 tsp (6 g) sea salt
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
⅓ cup dark rum
1 tbsp (14 g) ghee
4 tbsps (56 g) unsalted butter
4 cups (480 g) vanilla ice cream
1 cup (60 g) whipped cream
4 maraschino cherries
waffle cone crumbled (optional)

Instructions

Slice off the leafy top and bottom of the pineapple. Stand it upright and trim away the outer peel. Slice into eight thick rounds and remove the core from each slice using a pineapple corer or a small round cutter or knife. Reserve ⅓ cup (80 ml) of the fresh juice. Make sure you are slicing and coring the pineapple in a way that you can capture the juice as it comes out of the pineapple.
1 whole (~3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg) fresh pineapple, ⅓ cup (80 ml) fresh pineapple juice
In a large bowl, whisk together the dark brown sugar, cinnamon, sea salt, vanilla extract, dark rum, and reserved pineapple juice until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Add the pineapple rings and turn to coat evenly. Marinate for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
½ cup (110 g) packed dark brown sugar, ½ tsp (1 g) ground cinnamon, 1 tsp (6 g) sea salt, 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract, ⅓ cup dark rum
Heat a cast iron grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the ghee and swirl to coat the ridges evenly. Remove the pineapple from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off, and reserve the marinade. Arrange the rings in a single layer on the grill pan. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until distinct grill marks form and the fruit is lightly caramelized. Transfer to a plate.
1 tbsp (14 g) ghee
Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the reserved marinade and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to a thick, glossy syrup, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat.
4 tbsps (56 g) unsalted butter
To assemble, place one warm pineapple ring in a serving bowl. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Add a second pineapple ring and another scoop of ice cream. Spoon the warm buttered rum sauce over the top. Finish with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Crumble waffle cone shards over the top if you like. Serve immediately.
4 cups (480 g) vanilla ice cream, 1 cup (60 g) whipped cream, 4 maraschino cherries

Notes

Use ghee for grilling. Butter burns at high heat.
Let excess marinade drip off before grilling to avoid steaming.
Reduce the sauce gently to prevent separation of dairy solids.
Assemble right before serving for best texture contrast.
Substitute the rum with apple cider if you don’t want to use alcohol.
If using a pineapple corer: Place the pineapple in a bowl to catch the juice. Position the corer over the center of the fruit. Twist the handle downward firmly until you reach the bottom. Pull the flesh straight up to remove it. Detach the spiral from the tool. Separate the spiral into rings. Measure out ⅓ cup (80 ml) of the fresh juice accumulated.
If you don’t have a pineapple corer: Use a sharp knife. Peel the skin off the sides. Slice the fruit into eight thick rounds. Use a small round cutter or knife to remove the center core from each slice and reserve the juice.

If you’re making these Grilled Pineapple Rum Sundaes, check out the full post. That’s where I keep extra tips, FAQs, and details that don’t always make it into the recipe card

Nutrition info is an estimate and will vary depending on the brands you use.

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