11 Ice Cream Hacks to Get You Through Summer

Summer is glorious but fleeting, just like a creamy cone of vanilla ice cream, so it’s wise to be as prepared as possible when it finally hits. I have yet to do the math but one summer only a lots so many cups or cones of delicious ice cream so you’re going to want to make the most of it with a few awesome ice cream hacks.

First and foremost, don’t settle for any discount gallon of bottom shelf ice cream. Not during sacred summer. If it’s calories you’re worried about Halo Top seems to have cracked the low-in-cal high-in-taste ice cream riddle but otherwise look for something made with all-natural ingredients and no corn syrup…ever. Try out a local brand like Humphry Slocombe or Morgenstern’s if you can find it and if not spring for something Talenti, Ben & Jerry’s or Breyer’s.



Related Reading: The Best Brands of Dairy-Free Ice Cream You Can Buy This Summer

Now that you’ve got the good ice cream covered we still need some ice cream hacks to kick things up a Celcius degree or two. We’ve rounded up ten of the best ice cream hacks and tips we could find; from lessons in scooping to upgrading the basic pint. Because no interaction with the best dessert ever should be short of amazing, delicious, and totally worth the calories.
1. Experiment with new ingredients to wow your friends. 
New York City Chinatown’s Eggloo incorporates butterfly pea powder into its Earl Gray ice cream. When topped with lemon juice, the delicious dish transforms into a kaleidoscope of purples, pinks, and blues that give any unicorn-themed Instagram post a run for its money. You don’t have to alter the pH levels of your dessert to impress your friends, though. Top your ice cream or ice cream cake with unique ingredients like edible flowers, freeze-dried fruit, honeycomb, and cayenne or chili powder to make a melting mash-up and truly memorable experience.
Crunchies Freeze Dried Fruit (6 pack), $28.94 on Amazon Freeze-dried strawberries over vanilla ice cream is divine. Buy Now 2. Run a scooper under hot water prior to scooping.
Say goodbye to ice cream cramp hands forever. The metal will increase in temperature and, in turn, melt the ice cream as it comes into contact with it. It may seem like common sense, but when’s the last time you’ve done this? Never, that’s when.

Related Reading: Beat Summer Boredom with Edible Crafts for Kids
3. Start scooping around the edges. 
Ice cream stays more frozen in the center where it’s less exposed to heat, so it’s easier to start from the outside and work your way in. That is unless you want to throw in an afternoon bicep exercise to make up for all the laying around on the beach eating ice cream you’ve done.
Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop, $19.95 on Sur la Table Industry professionals prefer a thick solid scoop made from one piece of metal. Buy Now 4. Store your pint upside down to avoid freezer burn. 
Since the ice cream will slide down to its base, air exposure will be limited. It’s not magic, it’s science, but to this trick we still say “Voila!.”
5. Slice your pints to create discs for ice cream sandwiches. View this post on Instagram


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Or just buy one of Ben & Jerry’s innovative chocolate-dipped slices. Both options more than suffice in taking your binge to the next level.
6. Place a jelly bean or marshmallow at the bottom of sugar cones to prevent leaks. 
You also get an extra treat. A true win-win, if you ask us.
7. Slice a pint down the middle to create two makeshift bowls. 
Congratulations. This is your reward for not having to do as many dishes leaving more time to eat ice cream.

Related Reading: 1 Dreamy Strawberry Icebox Cake + 3 Bonus No-Bake Desserts for Summer
8. Pre-scoop ice cream ahead of time and store in the freezer. 
If you’re hoping to prevent meltdowns (literally) at your next children’s birthday party, this is the most effective solution. Simply pre-scoop ice your favorite ice cream onto wax paper and pop them in the freezer.
9. Finish an almost-finished jar of Nutella or peanut butter with ice cream. 
Simply drop in a few scoops and get scraping. Nutella and peanut butter should never go to waste. In fact, we’re pretty sure it’s illegal.
Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut and Almond Butter, $9.93 on Amazon Ummm, so I want to eat this with everything including ice cream. Buy Now 10. To keep ice cream at a perfect consistency, place its pint or carton in a plastic bag. 
It’s all about the insulation, folks. Nothing ensures consistent temperatures like wrapping ice cream up like an early Christmas present. We’re shocked you even have leftovers, tbh.

Related Reading: The Best Ice Cream Makers & Snow Cone Machines for Every Personality
11. Make your own ice cream
Ok so this isn’t as much a hack as it is just a good ice cream idea. There are some really affordable and easy to use ice cream makers on the market. If you’re an ice cream fiend it will pay for itself before you know it and you can customize the flavors and get cuckoo loco! A perfect ice cream activity for families with young kids, too!
Cuisinart Gelateria Ice Cream Maker, $119.95 A quality ice cream maker doesn't have to break the bank. Buy Now #FrozenFood #IceCream #Desserts #Nutella #Guides