Easy way to scoop rock hard ice cream

Back-to-school supplies may be hitting shelves, but we're trying to make the most of the summer while it's still here, plenty of ice-cream cones included.

If you're faced with a tub of rock hard ice cream, there's no need to leave it out on the counter to thaw. America's Test Kitchen has a super-quick solution to scooping it right away.

All you need is a knife, an ice cream scoop, and some warm water.

Run warm water over a sharp paring knife, then create a grid of 1-inch squares — about 1-inch deep — in your tub of ice cream.

Next, run warm water over your scoop — and start scooping!

Also see: Does your coffee have dirt in it?

Keep your scoops about an inch deep. When you've scooped out the first layer of ice cream, start again with a new grid.

Be sure to rinse after each scoop, shaking off excess water to prevent your dessert from getting too watery.

Foodies.com warns against leaving the remaining ice cream out after serving it, as the longer it thaws, the more ice crystals will form in the freezer. An easy trick for storing opened ice cream is to first cover it with plastic wrap, smoothed over the ice cream's surface, before covering securely with the lid.

Also see: The coolest no-bake desserts

And never nuke the frozen-solid ice cream, no matter how desperate you are to dig into it.

Make your own ice cream? David Lebovitz offers a few tips for making homemade ice cream softer, including our favourite: just add vodka.

What are your tricks for scooping hard ice cream?

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