I love to make ice cream but I rarely have the desire to go to the store specifically to get ingredients for it. Totally lame, but true. Here are a few ideas for last-minute ice cream mix-ins that will elevate a bowl of ice cream (homemade or store-bought) to the next level!
How do you remedy the problem? Just always have stuff on hand! No I don't mean raid the baking aisle and buy one of everything (though you're welcome to if you so desire).
Instead, just reserve a few bites of this or that as you consume them regularly and toss them in the freezer. Try saving back a handful of pretzels. Macerate those leftover berries in the back of the fridge and keep them for a sweet swirl in your next ice cream base. You can save a single brownie and break it up. Or try cookie pieces, gummy bears, or even spices and seasonings.
You can keep a stash of these last-minute ice cream mix-ins in a Tupperware container in the freezer or in separate bags. You can even try storing the end of that bag of trail mix your toddler refused to finish or that last piece of bread pudding in the fridge. Anything goes!
What's your favorite ice cream mix-in? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: 3 Tips for Mixing Brownies, Cake or Cookies Into Ice Cream
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i freeze my desserts all the time, but just to enjoy later. Cake and brownies tend to benefit from it and thaw with an even more moist, tender crumb than before they went in.... i haven't mixed them into ice cream though...
Not a mix in per se, but I freeze extra brownies and will take a few out, microwave them in individual bowls for 30 seconds, and then top each one with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream and hot fudge sauce. And sprinkles, of course. Lots and lots of sprinkles. Instant brownie sundaes!
The best homemade ice cream: toasted almonds and walnuts, berry marshmallows, and dried cranberries. The cranberries in it give it the most amazing flavour!
In my house, we've never had leftover cookies.... but its a good concept for households with personal restraint.
just went on a 3-hour chocolate tour and came back with bites of everything - it's all in the freezer now, waiting to go on a sundae!
I make a 1/4 batch of egg-less cookie dough, roll it up in a thin cylinder of parchment, and freeze *specifically* for adding to ice cream! My kids have food allergies and I often can't buy safe ready-made. It is not for baking, only for dicing and mixing in. Soooo good.
Sugar, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, flour, teensy bit of baking soda, and then chocolate chunks or bits. Good for midnight freezer munching, too.