10 Ways with Ice Cream

Inspired Ways to Elevate Store-Bought Ice Cream

1. Ice Cream Floats

Root beer floats are perfection. But have you tried orange soda and vanilla ice cream? Or cream soda and strawberry ice cream? Or ginger ale and black cherry ice cream? Try different combinations or create a station at your next BBQ that lets your guests mix and match.

2. Frozen Chocolate Cheesecake

Place a plain, store-bought cheesecake in a bowl (everything but the crust) and blend with softened chocolate ice cream until smooth. Add the crust to a springform pan, top with the ice cream mixture, smooth and freeze until solid.

3. DIY Shakes

Whip up batches of chocolate or vanilla shakes, fill mason jars, and let guests and kids finish with their favorite toppings, sauces and decorations.

4. A Better Ice Cream Sandwich

Instead of using traditional chocolate chip cookies, try sandwiching your ice cream between a sliced donut, cinnamon roll, toasted brioche bun or crispy rice treat.

5. Edible Bowls

You can find pre-made waffle bowls at most grocery stores or make your own bowls by baking cookie dough or brownie batter in a cupcake tin. After baking and while still slightly warm, press down the center with a small glass to make a pocket for the ice cream.

6. Ice Cream Bonbons

Scoop mini balls of ice cream onto a lined cookie sheet and freeze solid. Then, dip in melted chocolate and roll in crushed pistachios or other toppings. Store in the freezer until ready to serve.

7. Baked Alaska

Place a scoop of ice cream on top of a cake round or in an individual pie shell and freeze until solid. Top the ice cream with meringue and use a kitchen torch to lightly toast the meringue before serving.

8. Affogato

Pour hot espresso over scoops of cinnamon or vanilla ice cream. Finish with a touch of crushed amaretti cookies and you get a rustic-chic Italian dessert with minimal effort and maximum impact. Affogato is the perfect dessert after the sun dips on your backyard gathering.

9. Grilled Fruits with Ice Cream

Cold ice cream gently melting over a warm base is always good; and grilled fruits are perfect for summer. Some fruits that work best on the grill are stone fruits (like peaches, nectarines and plums), pineapple, pears and apples.

10. Ice Cream Pretzel Pie

Add melted butter to crushed pretzels and press into a pie pan to form a crust. Chill, then add softed ice cream and freeze until solid. Finish with a drizzle of chocolate and a sprinkle of more crushed pretzels for a salty-sweet ice cream pie.