Calling all ice cream lovers: now’s the time to take your treats to the next level. Learn an easy way to whip up a batch without an ice cream maker, then discover genius new ways to serve it up. One thing’s for sure—this will be your sweetest summer yet. Scroll down to get your fix.
photo: gordonramsaysubmissions via Flickr
1. Shake It Up
You don’t need an ice cream maker to make your own batch at home—check out this simple method that just requires a couple of plastic bags, ice cubes and rock salt. Let everyone take a turn at shaking it up—the final product will taste better knowing you worked hard for it! To get the instructions, click here.
2. Just a Slice
Take a cue from Lauren Conrad to make the perfect ice cream sandwiches. Just grab a pint of your favorite flavor and slice it into discs—they’ll be the perfect size to pop between cookies. Get all the details by clicking here.
photo: This Heart of Mine
3. Sweet Surprise
This just might be the most adorable (and delicious) way to avoid dirty dishes. For your next party, try making these edible sprinkle bowls from This Heart of Mine. They’re totally worth the extra effort. To get the instructions, click here.
4. A Storage Solution
Scooping ice cream straight out of the freezer is such a chore, which is why we love this ingenious hack: just keep your carton in a sealed plastic bag. It’ll keep the air out of the container, leaving it much easier to scoop when you go back for seconds.
photo: Food Babbles
5. Let’s Taco ‘Bout It
We love getting creative with vessels for ice cream, whether it’s cookie sandwiches or this genius idea from Food Babbles. Like the Choco Tacos of our childhood, these banana split tacos are a novel way to nosh on ice cream that doesn’t require bowls or spoons. Click here to get the recipe.
6. Party Time
For your next party, instead of wearing yourself out scooping piles of ice cream, get it done ahead of time. Just place the individual scoops in lined muffin tins. Then they’ll be ready to go when you are.
photo: America’s Test Kitchen
7. A Better Way to Scoop
Leave it to the folks at America’s Test Kitchen to come up with a foolproof scooping method. Instead of struggling with rock-solid ice cream right out of the freezer, try out this method that will change your dessert life. To find out how it’s done, click here.
8. Good to the Last Drop
If you’ve got an almost-finished jar of nutella or peanut butter, pop a few scoops of ice cream in to finish the last bit. Top it off with whipped cream and sprinkles, and you’ve got a delicious dessert with zero effort.
photo: m01229 via Flickr
9. Skip the Drip
Ice cream and kids is always a messy combination, but this hack can help a little—just pop a mini marshmallow or jelly bean in the bottom of the cone to prevent dripping.
10. Warm It Up
To make the scooping process a little easier, run your scooper under hot water each time you use it. If you’re scooping it straight out of the freezer, this will make a huge difference.
What’s your favorite hack for making or serving ice cream? Let us know below in the comments.
—Susie Foresman
featured photo: Couleur via pixabay
