Who doesn't love an ice cream party, especially in the summer? Food & Wine's Justin Chapple is sharing his tasty and fun ice cream sundae hacks, including how to use a muffin tin to make perfectly sized sundaes, a trick for making bowls out of brownies, the best way to keep sauces warm and how to make a colorful unicorn sundae that'll please kids and adults alike.
1. Pre-Scooped Muffin Tin Sundaes
Ingredients:
- Various ice creams
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Cherries (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
- Other toppings of your choice
Equipment:
- Muffin tin
- Foil muffin tin liners
- Mini spoons
Preparation:
Line each of the cups of a muffin pan with a double layer of foil liners. Add an ice cream scoop to each one. Add the toppings of your choice and a mini spoon and then freeze until firm.
2. Muffin Tin Sundae Toppings Bar
Ingredients:
- Toasted sliced almonds or chopped honey-roasted peanuts
- Mini M&M's
- Crushed cookies
- Sprinkles
- Crumbled brownies
- Chopped candy bars
Equipment:
- Muffin tins
Preparation:
A muffin tin is also great for serving toppings for your sundae bar. Simply fill a muffin tin with yummy and colorful toppings and set out for your sundae party.
3. Slow-Cooker Sauce Warmer
Put 1 to 2 inches of water in a slow cooker. Add open jars of sauce or even squeeze bottles, such as caramel, hot fudge, butterscotch and pineapple, and cook on low until warm. Put a spoon in each jar of sauce and allow people to serve themselves.
4. Make-Ahead Brownie Bowls
Ingredients:
- 1 batch brownie batter (homemade or from a mix)
- Ice cream
- Topping of your choice
Equipment:
- Jumbo or regular muffin tin
- Small bowl, glass or another muffin tin
Preparation:
Spoon brownie batter into the cups of a greased muffin pan. Bake until cooked through. Once cool, using small bowl, glass or another muffin pan, press the tops of the brownie muffins to make indentions in them. Fill with ice cream and top with toppings. (You can also make cookie bowls for your ice cream!)
5. Unicorn Ice Cream Sundae
Ingredients:
- Softened vanilla ice cream
- Neon food coloring
- Neon sprinkles
- Cherries
Preparation:
In separate bowls, mix softened vanilla ice cream with neon food coloring to make fun colors. Freeze until slightly firm, then fold the different colors together to make a swirl. Freeze again until firm and then scoop into ice cream glasses, top with whipped cream, neon sprinkles and a cherry.
6. Banana Split Ice Cream Sundae Pie
Ingredients:
- Graham cracker crust
- Sliced bananas
- Various ice creams
- Chocolate sauce
- Whipped cream
- Crushed nuts
- Cherries
Preparation:
Line a store-bought graham cracker crust with sliced bananas, then top with mixed scoops of ice cream. Drizzle with chocolate sauce and then top with whipped cream, crushed nuts and cherries. Freeze until you are ready to serve.