Ice cream on its own is always great – but ice cream can be so much more than just a scoop in a bowl. It can take the form of cakes, pies, sandwiches and more. To help you stay cool all summer long, here are plenty of creative ways to enjoy ice cream beyond just a cone.
Photography by Rick Holbrook; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
1) Churn Free Frozen Yogurt Pie
This two-tone frozen yogurt pie is a refreshing dessert that stays in pieces thanks to a splash of vodka in the filling. It's slightly tangy from the sour cream, which balances the natural sweetness of the ripe berries. Bonus: It doesn't overbake as the base is a simple cookie crust that only needs to be chilled before the filling is added.
Get the recipe: Frozen Yogurt Pie Without the Shake
Buy the recipe: 9″ pie pan.
Photography by Rick Holbrook; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
2) Chocolate ice cream sandwich bars
Instead of painstakingly assembling individual ice cream sandwiches scoop by scoop, this recipe opts for a much simpler approach. Our homemade version features a giant slab cookie that can be filled with non-smooth ice cream and cut into any shape you like. For extra crunch, dip the sides of each bar in mini chocolate or splash.
Get the recipe: Chocolate ice cream sandwich bars
Buy the recipe: 9″ x 13″ pan. AND Callebaut Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Photography by Rick Holbrook; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
3) Oversized Super Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
Our 2024 recipe of the year, super-smooth super-sized chocolate chip cookies make the best base for an ice cream sundae. The cookies are big enough to have a generous spoonful piled on top, and because they're made with melted butter, they stay soft even when partially frozen. For a professional-looking cream, divide the dough into one Hamburger Bun and extend the baking time a bit—aim for 23 to 26 minutes. It will make thick, chewy cookies that are perfectly round and ready to be smothered in ice cream and hot fudge sauce.
Get the recipe: Super soft super soft chocolate chip cookies
Buy the recipe: Guittard Semi-Sweet Chocolate Wafers
Photography by Rick Holbrook; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
4) Mango Ice Cream Cake
Take a trip to the Philippines with one bite of this creamy coconut frozen treat. The cake showcases the natural sweetness of mango in the form of canned mango pulp, so you can make it even when there's no fresh mango in sight. The buttery Biscoff cookie crust adds a hint of spice to go with the cool, creamy filling.
Get the recipe: Mango Ice Cream Cake
Buy the recipe: Pan 9″ Springform
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
5) Easy Ice Cream Pie
Think you can't make ice cream at home without a fancy ice cream cone? This pie will prove you wrong. All you need is an electric mixer, heavy cream, and sweetened condensed milk to make a shake-free ice cream base. Keep it classic and flavor it with premium vanilla extract, or customize it by adding citrus zest, brownie bits or chopped chocolate. Pour into a simple cookie crust, freeze, and then serve the pie at your next summer gathering.
Get the recipe: Light pie with ice cream
Buy the recipe: Pure vanilla extract AND 9″ pie pan.
Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
6) Strawberry ice cream sandwiches
This recipe uses the same smart cookie approach as traditional cookies Chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches, this time with a fruit filling. Both freeze-dried and fresh strawberries are added to the base of the ice cream without burning, making it a nice pink, strongly flavored and not too icy (something that can happen when adding watery fruit to ice cream). . It's all nestled between a hearty yet soft oatmeal cookie base.
Get the recipe: Strawberry ice cream sandwiches
Buy the recipe: Half sheet pan AND Rolled oats
Photography and food styling by Posie Brien
7) Fudge Waffles with Ice Cream and Hot Fudge Sauce
Sure, we've all had a waffle cone. But if you've never eaten a chocolate waffle with a scoop of ice cream and a hot sponge, you're missing out on a true ice cream-meets-waffle experience. This is a chocolate lover's dream dessert (or the sweetest breakfast you've ever had).
Get the recipe: Fudge Waffles with Ice Cream and Hot Fudge Sauce
Buy the recipe: Triple Cocoa Blend
John Sherman
8) Mocha Madness Ice Cream Pie
If you're an espresso kind of person, this espresso-infused ice cream pie is your dessert to make this summer. The mocha-flavored refill includes 2 tablespoons of espresso powder, so the coffee aroma comes through loud and clear. Plus, the pie features chocolate sandwich cookies three ways: pressed into the crust, mixed into the ice cream filling, and sprinkled on top for a simple garnish.
Get the recipe: Mocha Madness Ice Cream Pie
Buy the recipe: Espresso powder
Mark Weinberg
9) Frozen Pistachio Pie
Inspired by Italian pistachio gelato, we created a frozen pie that celebrates the combination of nutty pistachios and sweet chocolate in a luxurious and creamy dessert. Make it in a springform pan and crush some Sicilian pistachios (they're the most vibrant green!) for an elegant presentation.
Get the recipe: Frozen Pistachio Pie
Buy the recipe: Pan 9″ Springform OR 9″ pie pan.
Mark Weinberg
10) Profiteroles
Once you've gotten into the groove of making your own ice cream sandwiches, take things a step further by using fresh, airy choux pastry as the “sandwich” portion of your frozen dessert. Baked puffs can be split in half and their cavernous interior filled with your favorite ice cream flavor (homemade or store bought). Turn the top like a little cap and then paint the whole thing chocolate ganache OR hot fudge sauce before serving.
Get the recipe: Mini Puffs easily
Buy the recipe: Reusable piping bags and tips
Bonus: 4 DIY ways to improve your store-bought ice cream
If you're the kind of person who can't bring themselves to make ice cream from scratch, we've got you covered. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make your store-bought ice cream even better with a homemade twist.
Mark Weinberg
1) Hot Fudge Sauce
A tried-and-true classic hot sauce can take ice cream from an everyday dessert into decadent territory. It's easy to make from scratch – you only need 15 minutes and kitchen staples like butter, half and half, sugar and chocolate. Use high-quality cocoa processed in the Netherlands for the strongest chocolate flavor.
Get the recipe: Hot Fudge Sauce
Buy the recipe: Double Dark Cocoa Blend
2) Caramel sauce
Some things are worth the time and effort to make from scratch, including caramel sauce. The homemade version is head and shoulders above the store-bought one with a rich, velvety consistency and deep caramelized flavor. Plus, you can experiment by introducing additional flavors, such as rosemary. When you serve it, add a pinch of melted salt on top of the caramel – it will balance the sweetness of the ice cream and look elegant too.
Get the recipe: Caramel sauce
Buy the recipe: Pure vanilla extract
3) Homemade Waffle Cones
Making your own waffle cones can be a fun project, especially if there are little hands willing to help. A waffle iron with shallow divots or a waffle iron makes the best cones, although you can experiment with using a Belgian waffle maker and flattening the cone a little while it is still warm, before rolling it. Try making waffle cone bowls by placing the warm cone upside down in a ramekin. You will never go back to store bought!
Get the recipe: Homemade Waffle Cones
Buy the recipe: Almond extract
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
4) Toasted marshmallow whipped cream
Instead of reaching for a can of whipped cream for your next sundae, try our new obsession: toasted marshmallow whipped cream, which brings a smoky, toasty flavor to the usually one-note ingredient.
Get the recipe: See our whipped cream recipe Icebox S'mores Cake
Buy the recipe: Vanilla bean paste
Looking for more hot weather-appropriate desserts to cool off this summer? Check out our easy collection cakes without baking for 16 more recipes that will have you baking without turning on the oven.
Cover picture (Chocolate ice cream sandwiches) by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne.
