How many calories are in a strawberry sundae?

November 4, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition data, a typical strawberry sundae from a fast-food chain like McDonald's contains between 260 and 280 calories, while a medium size from Dairy Queen can be up to 340 calories. The exact number of calories in a strawberry sundae is not fixed and varies significantly based on factors like serving size, brand, ingredients, and toppings. This guide breaks down the calorie count and shows you how to estimate it yourself.

Quick Summary

The calorie count of a strawberry sundae depends on the specific ingredients, portion size, and brand. Homemade versions offer more control over the nutritional value, while restaurant versions typically range from 240 to over 400 calories due to varying amounts of ice cream, syrup, and whipped cream.

Key Points

Variable Calorie Count: A strawberry sundae's calories range widely, typically from 240 to over 400, depending on size and ingredients.
Ice Cream is the Base: The soft-serve or hard ice cream base contributes the most calories, with premium versions containing more fat.
Toppings Add Sugar: Commercial strawberry syrups are high in sugar and calories, while fresh strawberries are a much lower-calorie alternative.
Whipped Cream Adds Up: While a small garnish adds few calories, a generous portion of whipped cream significantly increases the total count.
Homemade vs. Fast Food: Homemade sundaes offer full control over ingredients and portion sizes, allowing for lighter, healthier versions compared to restaurant options.
Brands Differ: Specific brand information, like McDonald's (approx. 270 kcal) or Dairy Queen (small at 240 kcal), can vary significantly.
Portion Size is Crucial: The easiest way to control calories is by choosing a smaller portion or reducing the amount of ice cream and toppings.

Deconstructing a Strawberry Sundae: The Calorie Breakdown

To understand the calorie content, you must first look at the individual components of a standard strawberry sundae: the vanilla soft-serve ice cream, the strawberry syrup or topping, and the optional whipped cream and cherry. Each ingredient contributes its own portion to the final calorie total, and the amount of each is what ultimately determines the final number.

The Ice Cream Base

The foundation of any sundae is the ice cream. Most fast-food sundaes use a vanilla soft-serve. A typical half-cup serving of regular vanilla ice cream contains approximately 207 calories. However, the portion sizes in restaurants can vary widely. For instance, a small Dairy Queen sundae uses less soft-serve than a medium one, with the calorie count rising accordingly.

The Strawberry Topping

The strawberry topping is the next major contributor. Many commercial strawberry toppings are primarily sugar and corn syrup, which adds significant calories. A standard two-tablespoon serving of commercial strawberry topping can contain around 100-110 calories. In homemade versions, using fresh strawberries can drastically reduce the added sugar and calories. For example, fresh, whole strawberries are very low in calories.

The Whipped Cream and Cherry

The final common components are whipped cream and the cherry. While they appear light, they add calories, especially when served generously. One cup of whipped cream is approximately 154 calories, but a typical sundae will only have a few tablespoons. A single tablespoon contains around 8-15 calories. A maraschino cherry on top adds minimal calories, typically less than 5, but its syrup adds a small amount of sugar as well.

Comparison Table: Fast Food vs. Homemade Sundaes

To illustrate the difference, here is a comparison of estimated calorie counts for various strawberry sundaes.


Sundae Type	Serving Size	Approximate Calories	Key Ingredients
McDonald's Sundae	1 item (approx. 178g)	270-281 kcal	Soft-serve, strawberry topping
Dairy Queen (Small)	1 item	240 kcal	Soft-serve, strawberry topping
Dairy Queen (Medium)	1 item	340 kcal	Soft-serve, strawberry topping
Homemade (Controlled)	1 cup vanilla, 2 tbsp homemade topping	300 kcal	Vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberry sauce, small dollop whipped cream
Homemade (Indulgent)	1.5 cups vanilla, 4 tbsp topping, generous whipped cream	500+ kcal	Premium ice cream, commercial topping, generous whipped cream

Factors Influencing Calorie Count

Beyond the basic components, several factors can cause the calorie count of a strawberry sundae to fluctuate:

Portion Size: This is the most significant factor. A larger cup or extra scoop of ice cream can easily add over 100 calories.
Type of Ice Cream: Soft-serve generally has fewer calories and less fat than premium hard ice cream. Opting for fat-free or no-sugar-added varieties will also lower the total.
Topping Quantity: A heavy-handed pour of sugary syrup is a calorie-dense addition. Switching to a homemade sauce with fresh fruit and less sugar can reduce calories considerably.
Additional Ingredients: Some restaurants add a layer of whipped cream, while others are more minimal. Add-ins like nuts or a cookie crumble will also increase the calorie count.
Brand Variations: As shown in the table, the specific nutritional information varies by brand due to proprietary recipes and serving sizes.

Creating a Lighter Strawberry Sundae

For those watching their calorie intake, making a strawberry sundae at home allows for total control over the ingredients. You can make a delicious, healthier version by following a few simple steps:

Start with Lighter Ice Cream: Use a low-fat or sugar-free vanilla ice cream or a frozen yogurt base.
Use Fresh Strawberries: Instead of sugary syrup, use a purée of fresh strawberries, possibly sweetened with a natural, low-calorie sweetener like stevia.
Minimize Toppings: Use a small amount of whipped cream or omit it entirely. Consider a light dusting of cinnamon or a few slices of fresh strawberry for garnish instead of a syrupy cherry.

Conclusion

While the answer to "how many calories are in a strawberry sundae?" isn't a single number, it's typically between 240 and 400+ calories, depending on the serving size and components. Understanding the caloric contribution of each ingredient—ice cream, sugary toppings, and whipped cream—empowers consumers to make informed choices. For a more precise figure, checking the nutritional information of a specific restaurant's menu item is the best approach. Alternatively, crafting a customized, lighter version at home is a great way to enjoy this classic dessert while managing your calorie intake.

Center for Science in the Public Interest: Our guide to decoding ice cream scoop-shop menus

Frequently Asked Questions

The average fast-food strawberry sundae, such as from McDonald's, contains around 260 to 280 calories for a standard size. However, specific brand and size variations can cause this to differ.

Yes, the type of ice cream significantly affects the calorie count. Premium, richer ice cream has more fat and calories than standard soft-serve, and low-fat or sugar-free options will lower the total.

A typical two-tablespoon serving of commercial strawberry syrup or topping adds approximately 100 to 110 calories, though this can vary by brand and recipe.

A homemade sundae can be much lower in calories because you have complete control over the ingredients and can use lighter ice cream, fresh strawberries, and less or no whipped cream.

A small dollop of whipped cream, roughly one to two tablespoons, typically adds 8 to 30 calories. A full cup of whipped cream is about 154 calories.

A simple way to reduce calories is to opt for a smaller serving size, use a lower-fat ice cream base like frozen yogurt, and substitute sugary syrup with fresh strawberries.

A small Dairy Queen strawberry sundae has about 240 calories, while a medium is 340 calories. This is comparable to McDonald's standard size, which is around 270-281 calories, but the medium Dairy Queen is significantly higher.