Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Take one half gallon box of ice cream and turn it into THREE DIFFERENT DESSERTS.
You'll be famous by Monday.
So, here's a story.
A few months back I was on the phone with a PR rep from Blue Bunny. Just typing that out sometimes baffles me. I mean, who knew a few years ago I'd be on the phone with any PR rep, let alone one that represents an iconic Midwest ice cream brand, right?
It is exactly why I love what I am doing.
And what I love about Blue Bunny is they always want my input, my views, my ideas. They know I love ice cream, they know I'm from Iowa {where they are headquartered} and they know I'll spread the love.
And while this post is NOT sponsored by them {we got too busy!}, I still wanted to share my idea that they also loved. Their holiday flavors are out in stores {pumpkin, peppermint, etc.} and while walking by the freezer section one day it hit me.
Why not turn melted ice cream into an array of different desserts? Most desserts call for a milk or cream of some sort, so if I would just melt down the ice cream it would be an already flavored cream ready to dive into a batter or drink.
Genius.
So if you have been paying attention to the blog over the past month or so, I've featured three different desserts that had melted ice cream as an ingredient. And not to brag, but these desserts have been going over like gangbusters on social media. People are loving them!
Dessert #1
Iowa Pumpkin Sheet Cake
Ahhhh.....how do I event begin to explain this one? I love cake. I love big, sheet cakes that feed a million people. I love cakes with a browned butter frosting that makes people turn their heads and go "hmmm....what is in this?". I just really, love cake.
Every single person that was in this cake's presence the weekend I made it, loved it. It reminds you of a traditional pumpkin bar {you know the one} but at the same time so, very different.
And why the Iowa tie? Well, because I can. I wanted to top Texas and their ever-so-popular sheet cake. I'm starting a trend. Jump on with me, will ya?
Dessert #2
Melted Ice Cream Hot Chocolate
My kids love hot chocolate. To the point that in the winter every-single-time they come inside from playing in snow they feel they need to have it. Like how spaghetti needs sauce. It has to be there, ready and waiting or else their day in the snow isn't complete.
Once again, I got creative and thought melted ice cream as the 'cream' if you will as the base would be perfect in a hot drink. Was I ever right on this one!
And remember....drinks don't contain calories.
Dessert #3
Chewy Pumpkin Chip Cookies
You know the trick to perfect cookies? You need to use a mixture of butter and shortening in the batter. It will give them the crispy edge, yet a soft, chewy center. Adding melted ice cream to the batter?
It flippin' just puts everything over the top.
I found pumpkin chips at the grocery store, but cinnamon chips would be great too. Heck, even white chocolate chips would be good. These cookies went over so well, I almost made a second batch.
I got all wild and crazy and made these cookies twice the size of normal cookies, but feel free to make them smaller and get more out of the batch.
And if you decide to use regular vanilla ice cream in the batter, it works just the same. Fancy it up and use whatever flavor combinations you want. The ice cream police will not come calling.
Let's get real here for a second.
Do you think you could do this?
Could you buy a half gallon box of ice cream and turn it into three {heck, probably even more...} desserts to impress your guests?
I think you can do it. It's kinda fun. The only hard part is keeping your family from not eating the ice cream in the freezer until you are done with it. It was a struggle in our house. For real. But we survived.
With the holidays coming up, give this one a try!
Peppermint ice cream would be fun. Or red velvet. Or if you are boring, scared or timid, use a premium vanilla.
And let me know how it turns out!
