Easy Ice Cream Dessert Recipe Ideas

These ice cream recipe ideas are delicious, easy, and inexpensive!

Ice Cream Pie:
You'll need: 1 prepared pie crust (graham cracker or Oreo), half gallon ice cream, 1 jar ice cream topping.

Steps: Let ice cream sit out on counter-top until somewhat melted. Spoon into pie crust and spread evenly. Melt ice cream topping and drizzle over pie. Refrigerate until firm.

Tips: If ice cream pie is difficult to cut, dip bottom of pie pan in warm water for 30-60 seconds. Can be served with whipped cream. (We like mint chocolate chip ice cream in an Oreo crust with hot fudge, but you can make any combination that sounds good to you!)

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches:
You'll need: cookies, ice cream, mini chocolate chips, nuts

Steps: Let ice cream soften slightly. Spoon ice cream on the bottom side of a cookie, then press the bottom side of another cookie on top. Roll the sides of the cookie in mini chocolate chips or crushed nuts. Wrap in wax paper and store in freezer until firm.

Tips: Chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream are a big favorite. You can roll them in either chocolate chips or nuts. As with the ice cream pie, combine your favorites for your own custom homemade ice cream sandwich.

Ice Cream Clown Faces:
You'll need: vanilla ice cream, sugar cones, canned whipped cream, M&M's or Skittles, sprinkles.

Steps: Put one scoop of ice cream on a plate for the clown's face and stick a sugar cone on top for his hat. Have kids make clown faces on the ice cream face with M&M's or Skittles for the eyes, nose, and mouth. Decorate the sugar cone hat with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Tips: This is a great activity for a kid's birthday party. Other types of candy can be used for the facial features- be creative!

Ice Cream Alien Faces:
You'll need: green ice cream or sherbet, cookies, candies

Steps: This is much like the ice cream clown face, but start with a scoop of green ice cream (mint chocolate chip, pistachio, or lime sherbet) and split an Oreo or vanilla wafer in half to stick on for the ears. Use chocolate chips, M&M's, Skittles, or cinnamon candies for eyes, nose, and mouth.

Tips: This is a great activity for scouts, Sunday school, or summer camps.

Ice Cream Sundae Bar:
You'll need: ice cream or sherbet, toppings, whipped cream, crushed candies, sprinkles, nuts

Steps: Set up an ice cream sundae bar by putting out all the makings for a variety of sundaes. Place the dry toppings in bowls or cups with serving spoons.

Tips: This is a great treat for all ages- every one can take as little or as much as they like! If you have a guest who's lactose intolerant, be sure to offer sherbet or sorbet.

These easy ice cream recipe ideas put a little more fun and variety into dessert time!