25 Vanilla Ice Cream Desserts That Use Up a Pint

Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake

I developed this cool treat because I wanted to find a new use for cream of coconut. The sweet coconut combines beautifully with the tart lemon juice, and the streusel adds a nice crunch. Look for cream of coconut in the cocktail mixer section of your grocery store. —Janet Gill, Canton, Ohio

Guinness Float

That very first sip of a Guinness is what inspired this quick and easy dessert. The rich, creamy foam that gathers on the top of a freshly poured draft made me think of vanilla ice cream. At that point, I knew I had to combine the two in a Guinness float. —James Schend, Dairy Freed

Grilled Peach Sundaes

These peaches with a hint of grill flavor are sweet and juicy. We serve them in a waffle bowl with ice cream. That’s jackpot at our house. —Nancy Dentler, Greensboro, North Carolina

Mudslide

A chilled hurricane glass is the perfect vessel for this mudslide “milkshake”—a blended dessert drink that marries vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream and chocolate. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

Thick Strawberry Shakes

Cool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this strawberry shake recipe. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

S’mores Milk Shake

When cabin fever hits, we whip up a beverage that tastes like s’mores. Oven-toasted marshmallows and a blender make it happen. —Sarah McKenna, Centennial, Colorado

Fried Ice Cream

It doesn't seem possible to have a warm, crispy shell around a scoop of cold ice cream. But that's exactly what fried ice cream is! Here's how to make the magic happen.

Peach Cobbler Recipe

The first step to making peach cobbler? You have to choose perfect peaches. We'll walk you through the recipe.

Buttery Blueberry Cobbler

Slice into summer with this buttery blueberry cobbler recipe and forget the fuss of pie crusts. Use fresh or frozen berries for a sweet treat any time of the year.

Easy Apple Crisp

Here’s an easy apple crisp! This is a delicious dessert perfect for young cooks to prepare. It’s super simple to make since there’s no crust—just a crumbly topping. Plus, with apples and oats, it’s a wholesome treat. —Sheri Hatten, Devil’s Lake, North Dakota

Brownie Sundaes

Cap off dinner with these brownie sundaes. With prepared brownies, I can fix this sweet treat in a flash. For extra flair, I roll the ice cream in pecans before placing them on top of the brownies. It’s a perfect finish to a mouthwatering meal. —Ruth Lee, Troy, Ontario

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

Why settle for store-bought ice cream sandwiches when you can have ones that taste even better and aren’t that difficult to make? —Kea Fisher, Bridger, Montana

Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

Soft and chewy homemade cookies separate this ice cream sandwich from the rest. Use your favorite toppings like sprinkles or pecans! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Disney’s Dole Whip

Your kitchen will be the happiest place on earth when you serve this sweet-sour treat. The recipe comes directly from the Disneyland app and tastes just like the real deal you’d order at the park. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake

While growing up, I loved treats from the ice cream truck that rolled through my neighborhood. This ice cream cake is inspired by one of those crunchy, strawberry novelties. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Almost It’s-It Ice Cream Sandwiches

You’ll discover why this treat is so popular in San Francisco. It’s snack heaven—ice cream, delicious oatmeal cookies and a touch of chocolate. Swap the vanilla ice cream for your favorite flavor. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California

Ice Cream Kolachkes

These sweet pastries have Polish and Czech roots and can also be spelled "kolaches." They are usually filled with poppy seeds, nuts, jam or a mashed fruit mixture. The ice cream is a unique twist on traditional kolachkes, and it's simplest to use a square cookie cutter to cut the dough. —Diane Turner, Brunswick, Ohio

Banana Split

A classic banana split is a nostalgic delight. Complete with bananas, three different ice creams, strawberries, pineapples, peanuts, chocolate sauce and whipped cream, it's best served for two.

Peppermint Milkshakes

Rich ice cream and refreshing peppermint make this peppermint milkshake recipe a special treat, especially during the holidays. For a twist on this classic, stir in chocolate syrup and top with chocolate shavings. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

Grasshopper Baked Alaska

Can you believe it? This stunning dessert is completely make ahead, including the meringue. All you need to do is bake it for a few minutes in the oven before serving.—Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Limoncello Cream Pie

After a big Christmas dinner, we love the cool refreshment of a frozen lemon pie. Limoncello brings a little sophistication to each smooth, creamy slice. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine

Thin Mint Milk Shake

Save a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies for this creamy milkshake that's fun for kids and adults, too. —Shauna Sever, San Francisco, California

Gluten-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches

These chilly gluten-free ice cream sandwiches are perfect for hot, sunny days. The gluten-free chocolate cookie is so tasty you could eat it plain…but you won’t want to miss out on the ice cream! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

Caramel Nut Crunch Pie

This cool and creamy pie has a lot going for it. It’s easy to make, it can be assembled well in advance to save time, and it’s impressive enough to serve guests. To make this dessert even more decadent and delicious, you can chop extra peanuts and candy bars and crumble a few more cookies to sprinkle over the top. —Andrea Bolden, Unionville, Tennessee

Frozen Grasshopper Torte

I first made this minty cool torte for a ladies' meeting at our church. I’m still making it, and the compliments keep coming. —Elma Penner, Oak Bluff, Manitoba

Vanilla Ice Cream Dessert FAQ

How do you level up vanilla ice cream?

Admittedly, many of these desserts require baking or some extra work. If you want dessert ASAP without much effort, think about your favorite ice cream toppings. A good place to start is sweet and salty add-ons like pretzel bits, salted nuts, chocolate chips or crushed candy. You can also use dessert sauces like hot fudge, lemon curd or salted caramel sauce.

How do you serve vanilla ice cream desserts?

Bowls have always been the go-to for serving ice cream, but there are some other fun ways to enhance your dessert. Place cobblers and sundaes in mini trifle glasses. Pour milkshakes into Mason jars with handles or Irish coffee mugs for smaller servings. And, of course, make use of your waffle cone maker and serve up dessert in waffle bowls or cones.

Next: If you want to play a bit more with flavors, pick up a few extra pints to make these recipes with ice cream.