PUTTING ICE CREAM TO WORK

Ice cream is the ultimate quick dessert. The trick, however, is figuring out how to transform a simple bowl of ice cream into something worthy of praise. Here are some of our favorite ideas. Freezing times may vary depending on the type of ice cream you use.

CARNIVAL ICE CREAM TRUFFLES

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Combine ½ cup finely chopped toasted almonds and ¼ cup rainbow nonpareils in shallow dish. Scoop and drop rounded 1-tablespoon-size balls of strawberry ice cream (1 cup total) into mixture and roll to coat, pressing gently on coating to adhere. Transfer truffles to mini muffin liners and freeze until firm, at least 30 minutes. Makes 12.

PISTACHIO ICE CREAM WITH LIMONCELLO AND PIZZELLE 9860.jpg

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Portion 3 cups (1½ pints) pistachio ice cream into 4 individual bowls. Drizzle with ½ cup limoncello, then top with ½ cup sweetened whipped cream and chopped pistachios. Serve with pizzelle cookies. Serves 4.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL SANDWICHES

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Place rounded 1 tablespoon dulce de leche ice cream (¾ cup total) between 2 Nabisco Social Tea Biscuits (16 cookies total). Squeeze cookies gently until ice cream is even with edge of cookies, smoothing sides with knife as needed. Freeze until firm, at least 30 minutes, then dip sides into ½ cup mini chocolate chips or sprinkles. Makes 8.

CARAMEL TURTLE ICE CREAM PIE

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Scoop 3 cups (1½ pints) vanilla ice cream into large bowl and work with rubber spatula to soften. Stir in ¾ cup chopped toasted pecans, then spread into store-bought 9-inch chocolate crumb pie crust. Drizzle with 2 ounces melted semisweet chocolate and 2 tablespoons caramel sauce, then sprinkle with ¼ cup chopped toasted pecans. Freeze until firm, at least 30 minutes. Serves 6 to 8.

TROPICAL PINEAPPLE AND BANANA MILKSHAKES 9860.jpg

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Process 1 cup coconut milk, 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple, and 2 chopped bananas in blender until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add 4 cups (2 pints) softened vanilla ice cream and process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Serves 4.