Celebrate Ice Cream Season!
No need to relegate a fun party to a national holiday -- celebrate the end of summer with an ice cream social. Whether you’re planning a simple family get-together or a more elaborate event for a birthday or special occasion, it’s a party that everyone will love. Who needs an excuse to eat ice cream, right? Read on for planning tips, yummy ice cream and topping recipes and fun products to help you throw the perfect ice cream social and keep your cool while doing it.
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Make a Shopping List (and Empty Your Freezer)
Once you have a good grasp on how many mouths you’ll be feeding, prepare a shopping list of ice cream (or ice cream ingredients) and toppings. A good rule of thumb is to plan for about two cups of ice cream per guest.
If making your own ice cream isn’t in the cards, serve store-bought versions and save prep time. If you want that homemade taste without all the work, buy local. Find a specialty shop in your area that makes its own ice cream and purchase their handcrafted product. Or purchase grocery-store brands that are tried-and-true such as Häagen-Dazs, Ben & Jerry’s, Breyer’s or Edy’s.
Whether you go homemade or store-bought, plan ahead and make sure your freezer has ample room. If your freezer can’t accommodate tubs of frozen treats, consider an insulated cooler with dry ice, or ask your neighbors if they can help store supplies. (Make sure to share the ice cream if they do lend freezer space!)
Include Non-Dairy Options
Even though this party is all about creamy treats, be sure to offer a sorbet or other non-dairy frozen dessert so friends with food allergies or dietary restrictions can get in on the fun too. There are plenty of delicious sorbets, popsicles and other non-dairy sweets in most supermarkets.
The Scoop on Ice Cream Makers
Making homemade ice cream might sound complicated but you’ll be surprised at just how simple the process is. All you need is a handful of basic ingredients, any extra flavorings and an ice cream maker. Here are our top four picks:
1. Kids of all ages will have a ball with Industrial Revolution’s Play & Freeze Ice Cream Maker! There's no electricity needed, simply add ingredients to one end of the ball and ice and rock salt to the other. Delicious ice cream is made as you toss, shake, and roll the ball around. (Available at select retail stores or at Amazon, $25.00)
2. Cuisinart’s Automatic Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker is a serious machine that’s worth every penny and minute of time invested. Note – this machine is not for the spontaneous ice cream maker, or impatient ice cream eater, as the bowl must be frozen in advance and multiple steps are required throughout the process. But once made, the ice cream’s quality is spectacular. (Available from Broadway Panhandler, $59.95)
3. Sassafras’ inexpensive, battery-operated ice cream maker is super-simple to use. Just add ingredients, push a button and place it in the freezer. The best part? You can make two different flavors at once. Extra bonus: this ice cream maker can be purchased within a complete kids’ party kit. (Available at Amazon, $11.00)
4. Cuisipro’s Donvier Ice Cream Maker is a manual ice cream maker, which can help control the ice cream-making process and thus the final product. Use the hand-held crank to churn; more cranking means a creamier ice cream. Bonus: exercise for your arms! (Available online at Amazon, $60.00)
Breakfast for Dessert
Pancakes with syrup and a side of bacon…a classic breakfast combination! Why confine these phenomenal flavors to the breakfast table when you can swirl them together in a creamy ice cream?
Get the recipe for Syrupy Pancakes & Bacon Ice Cream
PB&J Ice Cream
This unique ice cream takes the classic flavors of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from the breadbox to the icebox.
Get the recipe for PB&J Ice Cream
Two Desserts in One Fair Swoop…or Scoop!
Combine two dessert favorites, sweet strawberry shortcake and creamy vanilla ice cream, into one over-the-top delicious dessert
Get the recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream
Sweet and Salty
This silky dark chocolate sorbet studded with pretzel chunks will satisfy your salty and sweet cravings.
Get the recipe for Chocolate Pretzel Sorbet
The Cherry on Top!
An ice cream social isn't complete without plenty of fun toppings. Serve small bowls filled with an assortment of add-ons such as sprinkles, crushed cookies or candy bars, Maraschino cherries, small candies, diced fruit (fresh or frozen) and nuts. Don’t forget whipped cream and sauces like hot fudge, caramel and butterscotch. And remember to serve each topping with a spoon or other appropriate servingware.
A Berry Nice Topping
Homemade toppings can be made in a snap. This chunky strawberry-granola sauce is quick, easy and only requires a few ingredients. Substitute the strawberries with another favorite fruit, if you wish.
Get the recipe for Warm Strawberry Smash Ice Cream Topping
Set the Scene
Get into the party spirit with cute tableware and decorations like ice cream-themed paper goods or tablecloths, colorful streamers, unique scoops and fun bowls and spoons. For a wide selection and low prices, Oriental Trading Company's playful supplies, shown here. (Our favorite: the adorable ice cream cone-shaped piñata stuffed with ice cream cone candies.)
Gift-Worthy Bowls and Spoons
These cute spoons and serving bowls will dress up your table and most can double as take-home party favors.
(Clockwise from top left:) Wilton Ice Cream Paper Cups, $3.99 for a set of 12, from Wilton; Ceramic Parfait Stainless Steel Sundae Spoon, $10.88, from Amazon; Waffle Cone Parfait Glass, $30.98 for a set of 6, from Amazon; Martha Stewart Collection Figural Ice Cream Set, $9.99, from Amazon; Ceramic Parfait Sundae Glass, $50.43 for a set of 4, from Amazon
Set Up Your Ice Cream Social
Before the party starts, set up an assembly line of bowls, spoons, scoopers, toppings and napkins. Have each of the needed supplies ready and set out beforehand so that when everyone arrives, the only task left at hand is to simply move the ice cream from the freezer to the serving table.
Other tips:
- Put a colorful and cute sign on the table to let people know that they can always ask for seconds or even help themselves to the tubs in the freezer.
- Provide a couple of scoops so guests won’t have to watch the ice cream melt while waiting for a turn to serve themselves. Don’t forget to put out a spoon for each bowl of topping and a glass or bowl of water in which the scoop will rest in between uses, or to rinse between flavors.
- And don’t forget: as soon as guests have prepared their treats, place the ice cream back in the freezer so it doesn’t melt!
Lickety Split Clean-Up
Before the party starts, set up an assembly line of bowls, spoons, scoopers, toppings and napkins. Have each of the needed supplies ready and set out beforehand so that when everyone arrives, the only task left at hand is to simply move the ice cream from the freezer to the serving table.
Other tips:
- Put a colorful and cute sign on the table to let people know that they can always ask for seconds or even help themselves to the tubs in the freezer.
- Provide a couple of scoops so guests won’t have to watch the ice cream melt while waiting for a turn to serve themselves. Don’t forget to put out a spoon for each bowl of topping and a glass or bowl of water in which the scoop will rest in between uses, or to rinse between flavors.
- And don’t forget: as soon as guests have prepared their treats, place the ice cream back in the freezer so it doesn’t melt!
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