Hot summer weather calls for cool desserts that are light on the pallet. Ice cream and fruit come immediately to mind, and there are limitless possibilities for combining these two things with other light, tasty ingredients to make the ultimate summer desserts.
Red, White and Blue Sundae
This is a great idea for 4th of July parties.
Ingredients:
- Fresh blueberries
- Fresh strawberries
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Waffle cone ice cream bowl
Directions:
Pretty self explanatory—scoop some ice cream into the waffle bowl, top with berries and whipped cream and enjoy! Optional: top with red, white and blue decorations from the party store.
Tempura Ice Cream
A delightful set of contrasts. Cold, creamy ice cream meets a warm, crispy tempura coating. A favorite at Japanese restaurants, and it can be done at home with the right ingredients and equipment.
Ingredients:
- 1 c all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1 c ice-cold water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 c vegetable oil
- 1 pint ice cream, any flavor—try mango or green tea
- Whipped cream or powdered sugar
- Maraschino cherries
Equipment:
- Ice cream scoop
- Deep-fat fryer or heavy-bottomed stockpot
- Medium bowl
- Small bowl
- Slotted spoon or kitchen tongs
- Use the scoop to make even balls of ice cream, then place them on a cookie sheet so that they do not touch. Place the pan flat in the freezer and chill for at least an hour. While the ice cream chills, pour the oil into a deep-fat fryer or a heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-high heat. Heat until the oil reaches 400 degrees.
- While the oil heats, sift the flour and baking soda together into the medium bowl, then beat the egg lightly in a small bowl until the yolk breaks and just starts to froth up. Thoroughly mix in the ice-cold water and vanilla extract with the egg. Lightly whisk the egg mixture into the flour mixture until they are just combined. There may be a few lumps of batter left, but this is typical.
- Pull the sheet of ice cream balls out of the freezer and dip each ball into the batter until it is evenly coated. Use the spoon or tongs to ease the battered ice cream balls into the heated oil and fry for 15 to 30 seconds or until the batter will turn a golden brown. Remove and serve immediately with powdered sugar or whipped cream and a cherry.
A fun and cool summer treat for kids of all ages. These can be purchased in the freezer section of the grocery store but are so much better when made at home! They are very simple and can be customized with any flavors imaginable.
- 1carton favorite ice cream flavor
- 1 dozen favorite homemade or soft store-bought cookies
- Knife
- Saran Wrap
- Lay six cookies face-down on a plate or cookie sheet.
- Open the ice cream carton all the way, including the sides and use the knife to cut off inch-thick slices that are about the same diameter as the cookies. Place the slices on the cookies.
- Place the remaining cookies face-up on top to make sandwiches, and wrap in Saran Wrap.
- Place in the freezer and chill for an hour or until ready to serve.
