50 Ice Cream Desserts We Love

Ice Cream Cookie Dessert

Our family loves dessert, and this chocolaty, layered treat is one of Mom’s most-requested recipes. It’s so easy to prepare this Oreo ice cream cake! —Kimberly Laabs, Hartford, Wisconsin

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For more sweet treats—plus tips and tricks—check out our ultimate ice cream guide.

Fried Ice Cream Dessert Bars

Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin

Check out our best ice cream sundae ideas, too.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shakes

These rich chocolate peanut butter shakes will make you feel as if you’re sitting in a 1950s soda fountain. Make it modern with an over-the-top garnish like skewered doughnut holes, chocolate-dipped cookies or fluffernutter sandwich squares. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Spumoni Baked Alaska

For a refreshing end to a rich meal, try this freezer finale. Its intriguing interior and pretty color scheme are bound to garner oohs and aahs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

All-American Banana Split

In 1904, the first banana split recipe was made here in Latrobe, Pennsylvania by David Strickler, an apprentice pharmacist at a local drug store. We still use his original formula when we make banana splits in our restaurants. —Melissa Blystone, Valley Dairy

Make sure you have the best ice cream maker for your style, too.

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 of Home Test Kitchen

Butter Pecan Pumpkin Pie

This pie was always a family favorite at holidays. Everyone thought I’d worked all day to make it, but it’s actually so easy to assemble. It’s handy to have in the freezer when unexpected company stops in for coffee and dessert. —Arletta Slocum, Venice, Florida

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

Nutty Caramel Ice Cream Cake

We made this frozen treat for a family birthday party, and we received endless comments on it. It’s truly fantastic! Be sure to try the recipe with other ice cream flavors.—Tina Stelzl, Waxhaw, North Carolina

If you like this recipe, then you’ll love these ice cream cookbooks.

Margarita Floats

On a hot afternoon, what could be better than a cold margarita float? The addition of creamy ice cream really takes this treat to the next level. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Check out these unique ice cream flavors.

Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwich Minis

My husband absolutely loves ice cream sandwiches and snickerdoodles, so I combined them into one fun treat. Here’s how we build this cool dessert. —Heather Pilon, Winslow, Maine

The next time you need a shortcut, try these artisan ice cream brands.

Raspberry Ice Cream Delight

This gorgeous make-ahead dessert is a light, refreshing ending to a summer meal. I first made it for my aunt’s 85th birthday dinner and everyone loved it! —Nancy Whitford, Edwards, New York

Ice Cream Tacos

Talk about a fun presentation! These cute desserts look just like a taco—but they’re stuffed with chocolate ice cream and topped with cherries and coconut instead of tomatoes and lettuce. These are as much fun to make as to eat. —Karen Oney, Fort Worth, Texas

For more fun, check out these ice cream truck copycat recipes.

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

Watermelon Bombe Dessert

When cut, this sherbet dessert looks like actual watermelon slices—complete with seeds. It is fun to eat and refreshing, too. —Renae Moncur, Burley, Idaho

Spiced Pumpkin Ice Cream Puffs

This extraordinary dessert showcases homemade pumpkin ice cream and cream puffs. The effort is worthwhile…and you can make the parts ahead of time for easy assembly later.—Richard Lasher, Stuarts Draft, Virginia

Strawberry Ice Cream Charlotte

My family loves ice cream cake, so they were delighted when I first presented this dessert. It’s light, delicious and has a festive presentation. —Scarlett Elrod, Newman, Georgia

We can’t get enough of these ice cream cakes and pies, either.

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

Rainbow Sherbet Angel Food Cake

Talk about a dessert that pops. Sometimes I make this easy cake even more eye-catching by coloring the whipped cream too. Use whatever sherbet flavor combination you like. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Pie

I love chocolate, caramel and hazelnuts, so I came up with a recipe that has all three. If you don't have a food processor, place crust ingredients in a zip-top freezer bag and smash with a rolling pin. —Debbie Anderson, Mount Angel, Oregon

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

Warm Pineapple Sundaes with Rum Sauce

Pineapple, rum and sugar have a longstanding and flavorful relationship that takes on new meaning when you add ginger and butter and turn up the heat. —Jamie Miller, Maple Grove, Minnesota

Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiches

My grandfather loves these pumpkin-flavored treats. They remind him of a cookie his mother made. They’re fun to eat no matter what your age. —Amber Wahl, Acampo, California

Delicious Ice Cream Dessert

We appreciate a cool, creamy dessert like this in summer. It stays fresh in the freezer for one week. Top with the fudgy sauce before serving. — Mrs. Earl Brewer, Jackson, Mississippi

Try this dessert with any of our homemade ice cream recipes.

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

Easy Strawberry Lemonade Freezer Pie

Three simple ingredients mixed together and spread into a graham cracker crust make magic while your freezer does all the work. Prep this pie ahead and freeze it overnight or even longer. Feel free to vary the fruit if you'd like! —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas

Ice Cream Wafflewiches

A wafflewich is a masterpiece of textures with chewy waffles, smooth ice cream, gooey caramel syrup and crunchy pecans. This is cold storage comfort food. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Rainbow Sherbet Dessert

Macaroons, pecans and layers of fruity sherbet combine in this beautiful, special dessert. Try garnishing with fresh strawberries and just listen to folks “ooh” and “ahh” when you bring this in! —Kathryn Dunn, Axton, Virginia

For another wow-worthy treat, try this DQ copycat ice cream cake.

Ice Cream Balls

These ice cream balls are a fun and easy dessert to fix—even the kids can help. The cereal adds a crunchy texture to the ice cream and makes an everyday treat something special. —Anne Marie Woodhull, Cedar Springs, Michigan

Creamy Coffee Pie

It’s easy to stir mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips and crushed sandwich cookies into coffee ice cream to create this irresistible frozen dessert. —Cherron Nagel, Columbus, Ohio

Banana Split Supreme

This lovely and delightful dessert has the classic flavor of a banana split. It's a cool, creamy treat with no last-minute fuss since you just pull it from the freezer. It always solicits praise from our big family. -Marye Franzen, Gothenburg, Nebraska

Cool Strawberry Cream

This fruity, luscious dessert makes a wonderful ending to a special dinner. When fresh strawberries are not available, substitute two packages frozen unsweetened strawberries, thawed and drained, for the fresh. —Joyce Cooper, Mount Forest, Ontario

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

My mom sent me this recipe. We love it, and so does company I serve it to. I inherited my love of cooking from my mother. She’s a former home economics teacher. When we were growing up, each of us five kids had a night a week when we planned and prepared supper for the rest of the family. —Kea Fisher, Bridger, Montana

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

Easy Confetti Pie

Sugar cone crust makes a pie that tastes like birthday cake when you add a dreamy, creamy no-bake confetti filling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Butter Pecan Ice Cream Torte

A simple, nutty crust and smooth caramel sauce are all the preparation required for this impressive dessert. It will keep in the freezer for one month—just be sure to wrap tightly. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona

Lemon Meringue Floats

I actually dreamed of this float idea one night, and woke up knowing I needed to make it. Thank you, Mr. Sandman! —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

Frozen Banana Split Pie

This dessert is special enough to make hamburgers and fries a meal to remember! It's so tall and pretty and just like eating a frozen banana split. Make it ahead to save time. —Joy Collins, Birmingham, Alabama

Mocha Baked Alaskas

Make these baked Alaskas ahead of time—you can torch the completed desserts and freeze them up to 24 hours before serving. —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida

Caramel Pecan Ice Cream Dessert

My mother passed this old-time recipe on to me because she knew I'd want to make it. I love desserts—especially this one! —Mary Wright, Morriston, Ontario

Frosty Ginger Pumpkin Squares

My family loves getting together to sample good food. While pumpkin makes it perfect for the holidays, this ice cream dessert is requested year-round.

Giant Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwich

I created this giant peanut butter cookie cake for my husband, adding light and low-fat products to the cookie dough. It was so fantastic that I fixed it with conventional ingredients for guests. Since it can be made ahead of time and frozen, it cuts stress for busy hostesses. And really, who doesn't love peanut butter ice cream? —Joann Belack, Bradenton, Florida

Peachy Buttermilk Shakes

The tang of buttermilk blended with sweet peaches prompts frequent requests for this shake from my husband and grandchildren. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, Indiana

Frozen Peppermint Delight

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s festive, delicious and easy to make, this is the one for you. Drizzled in hot fudge sauce and loaded with pretty peppermint pieces, this almost tempting treat will have guests asking for seconds. —Pam Lancaster, Willis, Virginia

Fudge Sundae Pie

My son always asks for this guilt-free frozen yogurt pie for his birthday. Complete with peanut butter, fudge topping and nuts, it tastes ice cream parlor-good…but it's healthier. —Margaret Hanson-Maddox, Montpelier, Indiana

Pumpkin Ice Cream Roll

This wonderfully light dessert is our standby at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The hint of pumpkin and the refreshing ice cream make a most delicious after-dinner treat. —Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California

Cherry and Chocolate Ice Cream Pie

We took cherry pie to a whole new level as a frozen treat. With a luscious layer of chocolate fudge inside, this is one impressive pie. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia

Frozen Key Lime Delight

In the middle of summer, nothing hits the spot quite like this sublime Key lime dessert. Cold, creamy and tart, it tastes like sunshine. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina

Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

If you’re tight on time, you can use store-bought cookies, but I highly recommend making these oatmeal chocolate cookies from scratch. The dessert sandwiches are pure fun. Sometimes I decorate the sides of the sandwiches with colorful jimmies, too. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

Frozen Peanut Parfait Pies

People will think you went to a lot of trouble to make these luscious pies, but with just six ingredients, they're quite simple to make. The crowd-pleasing dessert will be the hit of any potluck or party. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama