10+ DIY Ice Cream Ideas

thesweetescape.ca

Go beyond the scoop with these ideas for frozen treats. These ice cream variations make for cool activities in the kitchen.

Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Ideas:

Basic Ice Cream Sandwich

Sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream in between any of the following treats: vanilla wafers, Oreos, Pop Tarts, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies or oatmeal cream pies. Roll or dip in Nutella, peanut butter, melted chocolate, sprinkles, nuts and more. Add popsicle sticks to the sandwiches for instant ice cream sandwich pops.

Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich

Make a batch of waffles and let them cool or warm up toaster waffles. Sandwich a scoop of ice cream between each waffle pair and then place back in the freezer to cool. Once they are firm, melt chocolate and dip each sandwich in the bowl. Roll the melted chocolate side in nuts, sprinkles etc. and pop back into the freezer until you are ready to serve.

S’mores Ice Cream Sandwich

Line a 8-inch square pan with plastic wrap. Then place a layer of graham crackers in the pan. Toast mini marshmallows in the oven on the broil setting or use a kitchen torch. Let the marshmallows cool slightly while you chop milk chocolate pieces. Add the marshmallows and chocolate to a bowl of slightly softened vanilla ice cream and blend. Then transfer the ice cream mixture into the pan with the graham crackers. Place the remaining crackers on top of the ice cream and pop it in the freezer for a couple of hours until the ice cream is firm. Cut into sandwiches to serve.

Donut Ice Cream Sandwich

Pick up half a dozen or more doughnuts from your favorite shop. Simply slice the doughnuts in half and scoop ice cream onto one half and squeeze together. Another option to prevent fast melting: pre-scoop ice cream onto a plate and place in the freezer. Then place the frozen scoops on the doughnuts.

Too Cool Not to Try:

Jello Pudding Pops

Make your own delicious and creamy popsicles. Start with Instant Jell-O Pudding Mix, but prepare with slightly less milk than the box instructs. Spoon the pudding in alternately into a gallon baggie to create a swirl pattern. Pipe pudding into popsicle molds and freeze for at least three hours. When ready, use hot water to loosen pops from mold.

Pint Ice Cream Pops

Grab a pint of ice cream and cut off the paper packaging. Inset three popsicle sticks into the side of the ice cream and slice between the sticks making three individual pops. Place the pops onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Melt white and dark chocolate in separate bowls, and then dip one side of the pop in white and the other in dark chocolate. Decorate with toppings of your choice while still melted.

Ice Cream Freezer Pops

You’ll need half a package of sandwich cookies, 15 regular-size peanut butter cups and 10 ounces of candy-coated chocolate pieces, crushed. You’ll also need fifteen 5-ounce paper cups, popsicle sticks and vanilla ice cream. Combine the crushed cookies, peanut butter cups and candy-coated chocolate pieces and add a spoonful to the bottom of each paper cup. Scoop vanilla ice cream into a large bowl of a mixer and then pour in the remaining chocolate-cookie mix. Mix gently with a paddle attachment. Spoon the ice cream into the cups and carefully insert a Popsicle stick into each pop. Freeze until the ice cream has solidified. Tear off the paper cups to serve.

More Fun with Ice Cream:

Dairy-Free Ice Cream

If your family wants a cleaner alternative, or if they are allergic to dairy products, banana ice cream may be the trick! You will need two ripe bananas, sliced and frozen. Add bananas to the food processor and blend. Add vanilla flavoring, chocolate pieces, fruit, nuts and more for added flavor.

Surprise Ice Cream Cubes

This is a fun way to spice up your child’s breakfast in the morning, or plop these cubes into a soda to make a float. Scoop ice cream into ice cube trays and put back in the freezer to harden. Add a cube to a glass of milk or a soda for a touch of sweet flavor.

Ice Cream Tacos

The Choco Taco is a Klondike staple –  here’s how to make a version at home. You will need: four waffle bowls, fudge ripple ice cream, chopped peanuts and chocolate melting candy. Wrap waffle bowls in a dampened paper towel and microwave for 18 seconds. Reshape into a taco shape and allow them to cool. Fill the “tacos” with ice cream and place back in the freezer to harden. Melt chocolate and spoon over the edges of the waffle bowls and cover in peanuts, then return to freezer to harden.

Watermelon Ice Cream

Watermelon screams summer – why not make it into ice cream? Simply blend coconut milk, dates (for sweetness), vanilla flavoring and fresh watermelon. After blending, place in the freezer to harden.

– Teresa Farkas