Cool Off With These 9 Indulgent Ice Cream Recipes This Summer
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While we can all agree that ice cream is perfectly delicious in its purest form (which is being eaten straight from the carton), there’s a time and a place to experiment with new ice cream recipes.
Now is the perfect time to mix up everyone’s favorite classic summer treat because July is National Ice Cream Month.
Our ice cream recipes (no ice cream maker required!) are creamy, indulgent and a little imaginative — perfect for your next summer gathering or party. Even better? They are all made with delicious sustainably made dairy.
Let’s raise a cone, cup or milkshake glass to National Ice Cream Month!
How the kids can help make these ice cream recipes
Summertime is in full swing, which means you’re looking for ways to fuel your little ones’ creative minds while spending some quality time together. (Bonus points for getting a break from the heat, too!)
From 20-minute, Instagram-worthy milkshakes using store-bought ice cream to fully from-scratch versions, our ice cream recipes are all more fun and memorable than scooping straight from the container. Plus, a few of these recipes encourage stepping outside your flavor comfort zone and trying something new — you might be surprised to find that strawberry-basil is the flavor combo you and your family have been missing all along!
Sure, it’s faster if you make these recipes by yourself, but if you have bored kiddos in your house, getting them involved in these recipes is a great way to make memories and get them comfortable in the kitchen!
Depending on your child’s age and skill level, you could let them help by:
Scooping ice cream into milkshakes
Measuring ingredients
Stirring and adding mix-ins
Garnishing ice cream bowls or milkshakes with toppings
Try these 9 summery treats to get creative with ice cream:
1. Cookies n’ Cream Pops
Featuring sustainably made dairy: milk, chocolate milk, ice cream
These dairy-filled popsicles combine all the best elements of cookies n’ cream. This ice cream recipe makes it really easy to get kids involved, too. Just crush your cookies and fill up your popsicle molds!
2. Pineapple-Coconut Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies
Featuring sustainably made dairy: ice cream, butter
Filled with flavor and sustainable dairy, this refreshing ice cream sandwich recipe incorporates the summery flavors of pineapple and coconut with classic, decadent vanilla ice cream. Make these ice cream sandwiches, take a bite, close your eyes and you might feel transported to somewhere tropical (Until you open your eyes, at least. But the sandwich is the real deal.)
3. Lemon and Brown Sugar Ice Cream
Featuring sustainably made dairy: milk, heavy cream
An irresistibly light and refreshing homemade ice cream that’s perfect for a hot summer day, enjoy this lemon and brown sugar ice cream all on its own — no toppings needed.
4. Molasses, Walnut and Dark Chocolate Ice Cream
Featuring sustainably made dairy: milk, heavy cream
This decadent, not-too-sweet ice cream is perfect for chocolate lovers who enjoy richer ice creams as opposed to lighter, fruitier ones. The molasses and walnuts work together to create a unique flavor profile, while the dark chocolate gives it a hint of the chocolatey sweetness we all know and love.
5. Strawberry and Basil Ice Cream
Featuring sustainably made dairy: milk, heavy cream
We’re big fans of basil in almost every summer dish, and ice cream is no exception. This more mature take on a classic strawberry ice cream pulls in garden-fresh herbs to balance out the sweetness and complement the ripe strawberries.
6. Grilled Banana Splits With Vanilla Ice Cream
Featuring sustainably made dairy: ice cream
Don’t knock it until you try it — grilling the banana for a banana split might be a new concept to some, the caramelized flavor it results in complements vanilla ice cream beautifully. (Not to mention the warm banana makes it all delightfully melty.) If you already have the grill fired up for dinner, we say leave it on and try these for dessert!
7. Birthday Cake Milkshake
Featuring sustainably made dairy: milk, ice cream, whipped cream
Our birthday cake milkshake recipe can make any day feel like your birthday. All it takes is 20 minutes of prep time and a blender. Made with real confetti cake crumbs, cream cheese icing, rainbow sprinkles and, of course, vanilla ice cream, it’s hard not to smile while serving this up.
8. S'mores Milkshake
Featuring sustainably made dairy: ice cream, milk
No campfire needed for these s’mores. Enjoy all the classic flavors of marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers in a form you can sip. This recipe is delicious made with either chocolate or vanilla ice creams, so it’s perfect for loyalists of both flavors.
9. Blueberry and Brown Sugar No-Churn Ice Cream
Featuring sustainably made dairy: Sweetened condensed milk and heavy whipping cream
Enjoy the symphony of tart and sweet flavors of fresh blueberries and brown sugar without the arm workout that more traditional ice cream requires, all thanks to the MVP of this ice cream recipe — sweetened condensed milk. You’ll get the same rich, creamy ice cream consistency you’re used to, but with fewer steps standing in your way.
Summer at the State Fair Looks a Little Different for a Dairy Farm Kid
For many dairy farmers, summer means fair season. Preparation starts months in advance, as participants who plan to show livestock feed, groom, raise and care for their animals.
For Dustin Haase, a farmer-owner of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) in South Dakota, watching his three children show cattle at local, state and national fairs (just like he and his brother did as children) brings up feelings of nostalgia and pride.
“Showing livestock teaches my kids valuable lessons, like the importance of good sportsmanship, responsibility for animal care and an appreciation for the effort that goes into producing and raising quality livestock,” he says.
Beat the heat this National Ice Cream Month
Cool off and celebrate National Ice Cream Month this July by enjoying these ice cream recipes. Showcase your hard work by posting a photo of the finished product on social media. Be sure to tag @HAndHMag and @DFAMilk for a chance to be featured on our social channels.