Ice cream and ice pop gadgets

Make ice cream and ice pop treats at home

With many brands and types of ice cream makers available, making ice cream at home is easier than ever. From simple ice cream makers to more serious ice cream gadgets, you can make all sorts of specialty frozen desserts at home. You can even make soft-serve at home! But why stop with simply making ice cream, or frozen yogurt, or any other frozen dessert? Why not take them to the next level of fun with some simple kitchen gadgets to turn your frozen desserts into something really special?

Ice cream sandwich molds

Sure, it's easy to put some softened ice cream between two big cookies for a tasty treat. But it's just as easy to use molds and cutters to make those cookie ice cream sandwiches in traditional rectangles, in the shape of hearts and stars -- or even cows and pigs.

Personal ice cream security

For your most favorite ice cream flavors, it's sometimes okay not to share. Rather than simply hiding the ice cream in the back of the freezer, get a pint lock and be sure that you are the only who will get than luscious treat.

Creamy or fruity ice pops

I think we all remember making mini-popsicles using fruit juice and the family ice cube tray. I never could get those toothpicks to stand upright. No need to worry about that anymore, nor do I have to endure the endless wait for the little pops to freeze. With a nifty little ice pop maker, pops are frozen and ready to eat in a mere seven minutes!

Shaped pops

However, if you can wait for the freezing process to be complete, there are many options for fun-shaped pops. From sailboats pops to animal pops to small pops that can be filled with additional flavors, you can make ice pops fun for the whole family.

Hawaiian shaved ice

For those who are really serious about frozen treats, bring the Islands to the mainland with a shaved ice business! Yes, it's an investment, but on a hot summer day, I'll take shaved ice over lemonade any time. Better yet, I'll take a lemon-flavored shaved ice! Bonus: You can teach your child about entrepreneurship and saving for college while providing a cool and delicious service to the neighborhood.

Ice cream and ice pop recipes

Basic Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients: 1 recipe cookie batter Ice cream, softened Directions: 1. Prepare the cookies as directed, but instead of forming them into individual cookies, spread or roll the batter in an even layer on a cookie sheet. Bake as directed and remove from the oven. 2. After just a couple of minutes of cooling, cut the cookies into your desired sandwich shapes. Let cool completely. 3. With the cooled cookies and softened ice cream, carefully scoop ice cream onto the backside of one cookie, press another on top. If you are using sandwich cutter and mold set, place the cut cookie into the mold, scoop in the ice cream, place the other cookie on top and gently press. 4. Place in the freezer to firm up.

Cookie and ice cream combinations for ice cream sandwiches

Don't limit yourself to chocolate cookies and vanilla ice cream (though it is delicious), try some new flavor combinations:

• Oatmeal cookies and peach ice cream
• Sugar cookies and chocolate ice cream
• Espresso cookies and chocolate chip ice cream
• Chocolate cookies and strawberry ice cream
• Chocolate chip cookies and mint ice cream
• Ginger snap cookies and mango ice cream

Or try layering a bit of jam on each cookie before adding the ice cream. Experiment and enjoy!

Layered Ice Pops

Ingredients: Two or more pop fillings of your choice Directions: 1. Fill an ice pop mold part way with one filling flavor. Freeze until almost set. 2. Add the next flavor and freeze until almost set. Repeat until the mold is full.

Ice pop flavor ideas

Here are some inventive ice pop flavors to try:

• Crushed fresh fruit of almost any kind
• Fresh juice mixed with a little cream
• Pressed fresh juices with a little honey or agave syrup and a squeeze of lemon or lime
• Strong green tea or herbal tea with honey
• Coffee, or coffee with sugar and cream
• Yogurt
• Homemade pudding
• Flavored gelatin
• Eggnog

Ice cream and ice pops are easy to make at home, especially with the handy array of ice cream and ice pop gadgets. No matter the season or temperature outside, you can customize your very own cold and refreshing treats.