What could beat a frozen treat on a hot day? There is nothing like the combination of cool, melting and sweet when the sun is shining in full force.
If you’re looking to prepare something for a special occasion or just because it’s summer, these frozen dessert recipes – from ice cream to ice pops – are for you. So don’t switch on the oven, but create space in the freezer. Your kitchen just got the coolest place in the house.
Ice cream ice cream sandwiches
Maya Warren
Ice cream is always a pleasure, but it tastes even better when you make it yourself. This creamy, dreamy ice cream with no churn is ready in just 10 minutes. The hardest part is just waiting for it to get cold.
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Jeni’s Splendid is one of President Biden’s favorite ice cream brands, and its founder Jeni Britton Bauer reveals her secrets to create the ultimate vanilla ice cream. This creamy concoction made from real vanilla pods is easy to make, but it’s not a simple Jane.
TODAY
Ice cream … for breakfast ?! Yes, you can eat it anytime, especially if you are making a healthy vegan version. Top it off with your favorite fruit, nuts, seeds, or granola.
Jocelyn Delk Adams
Turning those delicious brownies into ice cream sandwiches is so perfect because the toughness is so delicious with the ice cream and is a great treat for special occasions. Plus, it’s easy enough to do with the kids.
Nathan Congleton / TODAY
Chocolate and peanut butter are the perfect pair. The dynamic duo is undoubtedly my favorite Joy Bauer combo. Of course, the nutrition expert turned the flavors into a frozen sandwich format – and it’s dairy-free!
Arti Sequeira
These delicious ice cream sandwiches, Aarti Sequeira’s sweet ode to Bedouin culture, are rich in cardamom-scented coffee, dates and pistachios swirled into a creamy, slightly crispy confection.
Nathan Congleton / TODAY
Ice cream sandwiches are great, but dipping them in chocolate and rolling them through toppings takes you to another level. As casual as these vegan delicacies may appear, they look very elegant and trendy on a beautiful platter, making them ideal for a special occasion.
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY
There is a carnival in your kitchen! Try this sweet ice cream sandwich with nostalgic summer dishes like funnel cake.
Grace Paris
The genius thing about this recipe (aside from being a mix of two childhood favorites) is that the Rice Krispies treats mimic the texture of waffle cones. Be sure to use good quality ice as it is stirred with less air and therefore melts more slowly.
Nathan Congleton / TODAY
You don’t need an ice cream machine to make this decadent blueberry cheesecake ice cream. This is definitely a project that anyone can take on. To develop a deeper taste in her no-churn ice cream, Jocelyn Delk Adams cooks the blueberries first.
Ice pops
Claudia Amato / TODAY
These patriotic popsicles are as festive as the store-bought ones but are made with real fruit so you know you (or your kids) are eating the good stuff. Each layer only has two or three ingredients.
Frances Largeman-Roth / TODAY
If you’re feeling less than perky after a day in the scorching sun, try this cool treat that also has a caffeine kick in it. These chocolaty coffee pops are just the right amount for an early afternoon boost.
Frances Largeman-Roth / TODAY
As the perfect snack on an active summer day, these pretty pops hit the mark with their mix of moisturizing honeydew and potassium from coconut water to help prevent muscle cramps. The kiwi is rich in vitamin C to help break down the free radicals that form during intense exercise. There’s even a little salt to replace the electrolytes you lose during those sweat sessions.
Frances Largeman-Roth / TODAY
When you need some relaxation, grab this calm and cool pop instead. Chamomile has long been known to calm nerves and can also boost your immune system. Mint can help relieve gas and indigestion, a common symptom of stress. Together they make a delicious treat for everyone.
Tyler Essary / TODAY
Smoothies are the perfect summer breakfast. Freezing makes them even better. This recipe will help if we can’t finish our smoothie because we’ve made a little too much.
Zach Pagano / TODAY
Who needs a beach when you can taste the tropics on a stick? Kids and adults alike love this cute pop. You can change the flavors based on what you can find in the market or use frozen fruit. With a little honey, lime juice and coconut you will feel like you are in the sand.
Elena Better
These four-ingredient pops are made with fresh ingredients like pink coconut water, lemons, agave nectar, and a pinch of salt to balance the acidity. You must never use concentrate lemonade again.
Nathan Congleton / TODAY
These sweet and refreshing delicacies are packed with good ingredients such as high-fiber fruits and vegetables, heart-healthy flaxseed and a unique superfood: Matcha.
Nathan Congleton
If you enjoy having a glass of wine occasionally, why not try a popsicle. It’s like the classic combination of strawberries and champagne, only extra icy.
Nathan Congleton / TODAY
Strawberry daiquiris may seem like an innocent cocktail by the pool, but most of the bottled mixes are packed with tons of sugar (about 88 grams for 1 cup) and additives. Joy Bauer turns the drink into an ice pop for just 50 calories each plus 2 grams of fiber and loads of vitamin C.
Frozen cakes and pies
Nathan Congleton / TODAY
At the end of a good meal, everyone says they are full – until they see Martha Stewart’s ice cream cake. It consists of a rich, buttery blondie bar, vanilla ice cream (filled with more blondie) and a soft, chewy, totally crazy chocolate and caramel topping.
Samantha Seneviratne
Pre-made cookies and store-bought ice cream make a nice and easy dessert. Assemble it ahead of time and let it cool in the freezer until you’re ready to dig. Topped off with some fresh strawberries, everyone will think you’ve become a gourmet pastry chef (we won’t say if you don’t!).
Laura Vitale
How pretty in pink is this summery strawberry cake without baking? The recipe is fully customizable and easy to put together with just 15 minutes to prepare, which is perfect for feeding a crowd.
Siri Daly
Siri Daly turned husband Carson’s favorite candy (ice cream and all chocolate peanut butter) into the kind of cake that any Reese lover would pass out. A shredded oreo crust, peanut butter ice cream, and a thick mini Reese’s peanut butter cup topping … do we have to go on?
Nathan Congleton / TODAY
This frosty cake is elevated on the plate but is created by adding some fun ingredients to store-bought ice cream sandwiches. Anyone who likes amaretto is sure to be a fan.
ThePioneerWoman.com
Ice box cakes are incredibly easy and make a great summer dessert. Ree Drummond’s cold and creamy recipe consists of layers of pound cake, blackberries, and sweet whipped cream.
Johnny Miller / MarthaStewart.com
Slices of rich brownie cake make dramatic streaks in this eye-catching frozen dessert that has all the ingredients of an old-fashioned sundae – and more. Two types of ice cream – vanilla and strawberry – are used as a filling, along with crispy peanut butter and crushed raspberries.
Nathan Congleton / TODAY
“I love to bake a fresh cake base and then just fill it with fresh fruit and ice cream. It’s easy and really takes me back to my childhood, ”says Alex Guarnaschelli about her summery recipe. “I think strawberry ice cream works best with a dash of aged or reduced balsamic vinegar for a bit of grown-up acidity. If you want to bring even more into the summer, top the berries with fresh basil or mint leaves.”
Grace Paris
Skip the store-bought cake (who knows how long it’s in that freezer?) And make your own! We’re cheating a little with the box cake mix, but we’ll keep that to ourselves. Anyone else can think of you as a superhero. This chocolaty, minty dessert is made from just five ingredients and takes just 30 minutes to put together before freezing.
Elana Better
This easy peasy ice box cake is rich and flavorful, but still light. Plus, it only has five ingredients, takes 15 minutes, and stays in the freezer for months … unless you eat it all first!
