These Frozen Desserts Are the Sweetest Way to Survive Summer
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Is there anything better than a frozen dessert during the scorching heat of summer? At her dessert shop Charlie's Sweet Shop in Pawhuska, Ree Drummond's favorite frozen sweet is the "Road to the Ranch" sundae where rocky road, cookies and cream, and mudslide ice creams collide with all kinds of toppings, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. Similarly, in this roundup of frozen desserts, you'll find treats just as over the top as that signature sundae!
Take ice cream, for starters: You're likely either team fruit or team chocolate but this list has it all! Fresh summer peaches, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and even corn shine in slow-churned ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, and other summer desserts. There's also an incredibly refreshing lemonade amid other frozen drinks like floats and milkshakes. They're all so much better because they're made at home.
And for all the fans of chocolate desserts, turn to beautiful layered ice cream cakes that will wow any crowd, easy no-bake desserts, and giant scoops of mint-chocolate ice cream. After all, "I just don't like average-sized scoops of ice cream," Ree admits. That's especially true of coffee ice cream—one of her favorites. You'll find three top-tier coffee-infused recipes in this roundup. So, what are you waiting for? Cooling off on a hot summer day has never tasted so good.
Homemade Choco Tacos
Yes, you can make the nostalgic treat from your childhood right at home. You just need a waffle cone maker and a little bit of technique to make the shells. The rest is easy!
Get the Homemade Choco Tacos recipe.
Coffee Ice Cream Pie
Can coffee ice cream get any better? You bet! Make a pie version, complete with a pretzel and Biscoff cookie crust, caramel sauce drizzle, and Heath bars crumbled on top.
Get the Coffee Ice Cream Pie recipe.
Sweet Corn Ice Cream
Once you get a taste of this unique flavor, it'll become an instant favorite! Fresh kernels infuse into cream before churning it into a creamy, dreamy delight that people of all ages will enjoy.
Get the Sweet Corn Ice Cream recipe.
Ice Cream Icebox Cake
Easily upgrade store-bought ice cream with this stunner! You layer gingersnap cookies, blackberry preserves, and lemon curd with vanilla ice cream before topping it with fresh whipped cream. It's refreshing and elegant.
Get the Ice Cream Icebox Cake recipe.
Mudslide
Calling all adults: A mudslide is the boozy milkshake of your sweet dreams! Vanilla ice cream gets spiked with Irish cream, coffee liqueur, and vodka before getting a healthy drizzle of chocolate syrup.
Get the Mudslide recipe.
PB and J Ice Cream Sandwich
School might not be in session, but this twist on a lunchbox treat is definitely in the books! Raspberry jam and ice cream get sandwiched between two fresh peanut butter cookies for a sweet bite of nostalgia.
Get the PB and J Ice Cream Sandwich recipe.
Blueberry Ice Cream
This fruity frozen treat practically screams summertime. It's supremely creamy and perfectly sweet with just a bit of tang from buttermilk. Pile scoops into a waffle cone for the tastiest treat!
Get the Blueberry Ice Cream recipe.
Lemonade Floats
Quick: Name two refreshing summer treats. If you said lemonade and sorbet, then these floats are the best way to beat the heat. They're like sipping on sunshine!
Get Ree's Lemonade Floats recipe.
Affogato
Coffee lovers, this treat is a must-try! It's traditionally made with gelato but high-quality vanilla bean ice cream also works as a substitute at your local grocery store.
Get the Affogato recipe.
Oreo Icebox Cake
Cookies 'n' cream is a classic flavor—and it's the star of this frozen dessert. This icebox is layered with Oreo cookies, ice cream, and raspberries for a sweet-tart bite.
Get the Oreo Icebox Cake recipe.
Orange-Vanilla Ice Cream Pie
If you can't decide between ice cream and sherbet, this is the dessert for you! It's got both: vanilla ice cream cream and tangy orange sherbet swirled together as the filling to a no-bake pie crust.
Get Ree's Orange-Vanilla Ice Cream Pie recipe.
4th of July Ice Cream Sandwiches
Is there anything more American than sandwiching ice cream between two cookies? Not when they're covered fun sprinkles, that's for sure! They're the most patriotic way to celebrate the good ol' USA.
Get Ree's 4th of July Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe.
Strawberry Ice Cream Pie
Three words for you: waffle cone crust! Add to that a triple dose of strawberries, and everyone will be begging for a second cold slice.
Get Ree's Strawberry Ice Cream Pie recipe.
Orange Julius
One sip of this frozen drink will bring back memories of being a kid at the mall food court at the height of summer. For you, school might be out forever but this copycat Orange Julius will always be in.
Get the Orange Julius recipe.
Caramel-Chocolate-Pecan Ice Cream Pie
Fans of turtle candy will absolutely love this sliceable take that starts with a graham cracker crust and ice cream. Pile on caramel and chocolate sauces and lots of chopped pecans for crunch.
Get Ree's Caramel-Chocolate-Pecan Ice Cream Pie recipe.
Cherry Sherbet
Sweet summer cherries star in this creamy, scoop-able dessert. Drizzle some hot fudge sauce on top for a scrumptious chocolate-cherry treat! It's totally worth breaking out your ice cream maker.
Get Ree's Cherry Sherbet recipe.
Neapolitan Ice Cream Bars
In search of a quick dessert? Meat these ice cream bars. All it takes is five ingredients and there's no baking required! Top each serving with a spoonful of juicy sugared strawberries.
Get the Neapolitan Ice Cream Bars recipe.
Coffee Ice Cream
This is the dessert coffee loves—like Ree—dream about. It has that bold coffee flavor yet is oh-so smooth and creamy. Make sure the coffee you use in it is nice and strong!
Get the Coffee Ice Cream recipe.
Ice Cream Cake
This towering beauty deserves celebrating! Layered with chocolaty cookies, three types of ice cream, caramel sauce, and hot fudge, it's a true showstopper. Plus, it can be made up to one week in advance!
Get the Ice Cream Cake recipe.
Frozen Lemonade
On a hot summer day, sometimes the only dessert you need is a frosty beverage. This kid-friendly frozen lemonade is just like the fast food favorite, but made at home! It combines vanilla ice cream, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of sugar. Yum!
Get the Frozen Lemonade recipe.
Strawberry Sorbet
A big scoop of this super fruity sorbet is exactly what you need to stay cool on a hot day. It requires only four ingredients and can be made with fresh or frozen strawberries!
Get the Strawberry Sorbet recipe.
Brownie Sundae Ice Cream Pie
Chocolate lovers, listen up! Grab a box of brownie mix, some ice cream, and all your favorite toppings, because you're about to make the most epic pie of your dreams!
Get Ree's Brownie Sundae Ice Cream Pie recipe.
Peach Ice Cream
This classic peach ice cream is heaven by the spoonful. It starts with a classic custard base, then buttermilk adds some tang and fresh peach puree gives it that delicious fruity flavor. You'll crave it all summer long!
Get the Peach Ice Cream recipe.
Chocolate-Mint Ice Cream
Cool off with a double (or triple!) scoop of minty, chocolaty ice cream! It's studded with hunks of chocolate-mint candies (think Andes mints) to double down on the iconic flavor combo of mint and chocolate.
Get Ree's Chocolate-Mint Ice Cream recipe.
Blueberry Crumble Sundaes
This frozen treat tastes just like homemade blueberry crumble, but better! Layers of raspberry ice cream are layered with scratch-made blueberry syrup. Then it gets topped with buttery crumble and whipped cream.
Get Ree's Blueberry Crumble Sundaes recipe.
Blackberry–Cheesecake Swirl Ice Cream
Pull out your ice cream maker! With a tangy cheesecake mixture swirled throughout delicious blackberry ice cream, this homemade ice cream combines two favorite desserts into one.
Get the Blackberry–Cheesecake Swirl Ice Cream recipe.
Coffee–Dulce de Leche Ice Cream
Dulce de leche—a thick caramel-like sauce—and crunchy toffee bits are swirled throughout this heavenly coffee ice cream. Want even more coffee flavor? Pour a shot of espresso or a few tablespoons of strong brewed coffee over scoops of ice cream for an affogato!
Get the Coffee-Dulce de Leche Ice Cream recipe.
Whiskey-Maple Sundaes with Bacon
Bacon on an ice cream sundae? Yep—this isn't your average sundae! This adult ice cream treat starts with chocolate ice cream, but it's the rich whiskey sauce, candied bacon, and toffee bits that take it to the next (and next, and next) level.
Get Ree's Whiskey-Maple Sundaes with Bacon recipe.
Dr Pepper Floats with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
"Dr Pepper rules the roost in our house!" Ree says. So it's no wonder her ice cream float of choice features the ever-popular soda! One slurp of this ice cream float and you'll wonder why you ever made it any other way.
Get Ree's Dr Pepper Floats with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream recipe.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches
A favorite recipe from pastry chef Dana Pollack's debut cookbook, Dana's Bakery: 100 Decadent Recipes for Unique Desserts, these cookie dough ice cream sandwiches are a fun summer dessert for the kid in everyone. We can't decide what's better—the cookie dough or the ice cream!
Get the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe.
Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches
Use your imagination with these ice cream-filled cookie sandwiches. Switch up the cookie flavor and ice cream flavor, and try rolling the sandwiches in toppings like toffee bits or chopped nuts if you please!
Get the Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches recipe.
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