Okay, so imagine if Halloween and an ice cream parlor had a baby, and that baby was absolutely obsessed with being the most adorable thing at every party. That’s exactly what these Easy Funny Pumpkin Floats are. We’re talking orange cream soda topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and enough colorful candy to make your inner kid do a happy dance, all served in glasses with cute jack-o’-lantern faces that’ll make everyone smile before they even take a sip.
This is the kind of treat that makes Halloween fun instead of scary — perfect for kids’ parties, family movie nights, or when you want to be the house that goes all out (but with like, zero actual effort). The best part? They look way more complicated than they actually are. It’s basically fancy root beer floats with a Halloween makeover, and honestly? Adults get just as excited about these as kids do.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Takes literally 5 minutes to assemble (most of that is finding the candy)
- Instagram-worthy without requiring a culinary degree
- Kids think you’re the coolest person alive
- Adults secretly love them just as much
- Customizable with whatever candy you’ve got lying around
- Perfect for Halloween parties or fall gatherings
- Makes everyone smile before they even taste it
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Floats:
- 4 cups orange cream soda (or orange soda + a splash of vanilla extract)
- 8 scoops vanilla ice cream (or orange sherbet for extra Halloween vibes)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Fun Stuff:
- 4 clear glasses or mason jars
- Black vinyl stickers or black permanent marker (for jack-o’-lantern faces)
- Rainbow sprinkles or nonpareils
- Assorted Halloween candy (gummy bears, candy corn, mini marshmallows, Swedish fish)
- Black and white striped paper straws
- Orange sugar for rim (optional but extra)
For the Rim (Optional but Awesome):
- 2 tbsp corn syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup orange sugar or regular sugar mixed with orange food coloring
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Prep Your Glasses
If you’re doing the sugar rim, dip glass rims in corn syrup, then roll in orange sugar. Set aside.
Create jack-o’-lantern faces on your glasses using black stickers or a food-safe marker.
Triangle eyes, triangle nose, and a big grin work perfectly. Don’t overthink it — wonky faces are actually cuter.
Step 2: Make the Whipped Cream
In a medium bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
Don’t overwhip — we want it fluffy, not butter. Taste and add more sugar if needed.
Step 3: Build Your Floats
Add 2 generous scoops of ice cream to each glass.
Slowly pour orange soda over the ice cream, leaving room at the top for whipped cream.
The foam will bubble up — that’s the fun part! Let it settle for a minute.
Step 4: Top It Off
Pile on the whipped cream like you’re building the world’s happiest mountain.
Go generous — this is not the time to be modest with portions.
Step 5: Candy Explosion
Sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles first (they stick better to the whipped cream).
Top with your favorite Halloween candies — gummy bears, candy corn, mini marshmallows, whatever makes you happy.
Add those striped straws because they’re basically mandatory for the full effect.
Step 6: Serve Immediately
These are best enjoyed right away while the soda is still fizzy and the ice cream is perfectly creamy.
Take pictures first because they disappear fast and you’ll want proof of your awesomeness.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with extra napkins (trust me on this one)
- Set up a candy topping station and let everyone customize their own
- Perfect for Halloween movie marathons
- Great as a dessert after pumpkin carving
- Pair with Halloween cookies or popcorn for the full spooky snack experience
Switch It Up
Adult Version: Add a splash of vanilla vodka or RumChata to the soda (definitely skip the kid-friendly faces for this one).
Chocolate Halloween: Use chocolate ice cream and root beer, top with orange and black sprinkles.
Healthy-ish: Use sugar-free soda, frozen yogurt, and fresh berries instead of candy.
Witch’s Brew: Make them green with lime soda and mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Pumpkin Spice Everything: Use pumpkin spice ice cream and add a dash of cinnamon to the whipped cream.
Spider Web: Drizzle chocolate syrup in web patterns before adding the whipped cream.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prep your glasses with faces the night before
- Make whipped cream up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate
- Have all candies sorted and ready in bowls for easy assembly
- Chill your glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving for extra frosty fun
Pro Tips for Float Success
- Use slightly softened ice cream for easier scooping
- Pour soda slowly to prevent excessive foaming
- Room temperature soda foams less if you prefer less fizz
- Let kids help with the decorating — messy is part of the fun
- Have a backup plan for sticky fingers (lots of napkins!)
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use a different soda? A: Absolutely! Orange works best for the pumpkin theme, but cream soda, root beer, or even ginger ale would be delicious.
Q: The faces keep smudging. Help! A: Make sure your glasses are completely dry before applying stickers, or use a food-safe marker instead.
Q: Can I make these dairy-free? A: Yes! Use coconut whipped cream and dairy-free ice cream or sorbet.
Q: How far ahead can I make the whipped cream? A: Up to 4 hours in the fridge. Give it a quick whisk before using if it separates.
Q: My ice cream is melting too fast. What’s wrong? A: Your soda might be too warm, or your ice cream too soft. Chill everything beforehand!
Q: Can I skip the sugar rim? A: Of course! It’s just for extra sparkle. The floats are perfectly delicious without it.
Q: What if I don’t have Halloween candy? A: Use whatever you’ve got — chocolate chips, fresh berries, crushed cookies, or even cereal works!
Print
Easy Funny Pumpkin Floats
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 floats 1x
Description
Okay, so imagine if Halloween and an ice cream parlor had a baby, and that baby was absolutely obsessed with being the most adorable thing at every party. That’s exactly what these Easy Funny Pumpkin Floats are. We’re talking orange cream soda topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and enough colorful candy to make your inner kid do a happy dance, all served in glasses with cute jack-o’-lantern faces that’ll make everyone smile before they even take a sip.
This is the kind of treat that makes Halloween fun instead of scary — perfect for kids’ parties, family movie nights, or when you want to be the house that goes all out (but with like, zero actual effort). The best part? They look way more complicated than they actually are. It’s basically fancy root beer floats with a Halloween makeover, and honestly? Adults get just as excited about these as kids do.
Ingredients
For the Floats:
- 4 cups orange cream soda (or orange soda + a splash of vanilla extract)
- 8 scoops vanilla ice cream (or orange sherbet for extra Halloween vibes)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Fun Stuff:
- 4 clear glasses or mason jars
- Black vinyl stickers or black permanent marker (for jack-o’-lantern faces)
- Rainbow sprinkles or nonpareils
- Assorted Halloween candy (gummy bears, candy corn, mini marshmallows, Swedish fish)
- Black and white striped paper straws
- Orange sugar for rim (optional but extra)
For the Rim (Optional but Awesome):
- 2 tbsp corn syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup orange sugar or regular sugar mixed with orange food coloring
Instructions
If you’re doing the sugar rim, dip glass rims in corn syrup, then roll in orange sugar. Set aside.
Create jack-o’-lantern faces on your glasses using black stickers or a food-safe marker.
Triangle eyes, triangle nose, and a big grin work perfectly. Don’t overthink it — wonky faces are actually cuter.
In a medium bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
Don’t overwhip — we want it fluffy, not butter. Taste and add more sugar if needed.
Add 2 generous scoops of ice cream to each glass.
Slowly pour orange soda over the ice cream, leaving room at the top for whipped cream.
The foam will bubble up — that’s the fun part! Let it settle for a minute.
Pile on the whipped cream like you’re building the world’s happiest mountain.
Go generous — this is not the time to be modest with portions.
Sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles first (they stick better to the whipped cream).
Top with your favorite Halloween candies — gummy bears, candy corn, mini marshmallows, whatever makes you happy.
Add those striped straws because they’re basically mandatory for the full effect.
These are best enjoyed right away while the soda is still fizzy and the ice cream is perfectly creamy.
Take pictures first because they disappear fast and you’ll want proof of your awesomeness.
Notes
- Serve with extra napkins (trust me on this one)
- Set up a candy topping station and let everyone customize their own
- Perfect for Halloween movie marathons
- Great as a dessert after pumpkin carving
- Pair with Halloween cookies or popcorn for the full spooky snack experience
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~52g
- Protein: ~4g