Vanilla ice cream desserts turn the classic ice cream flavor into fun treats like sundaes, pies, ice cream sandwiches, cobblers and more. You'll find quick, weeknight-worthy desserts and party-friendly sweets that feed a crowd.
1/30
Chocolate Ice Cream Pies
From the Recipe Creator:
I keep the ingredients for these frosty chocolate pies on hand during the summer. They're so quick to assemble. My husband and kids love them. —Wendy Bognar, Sparks, Nevada
2/30
Almost It’s-It Ice Cream Sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
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
3/30
Strawberry Floats
From the Recipe Creator:
When it starts warming up in Colorado, my kids ask for ice-cold treats. This rosy pink cream float is one of our household favorites. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
4/30
Oreo Ice Cream Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
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
5/30
Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Growing up, getting a Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake was always a special treat. There was something magical about that creamy soft-serve layered with rich fudge and crunchy cookie filling that I tried replicating in this recipe. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
6/30
Frozen S’mores
From the Recipe Creator:
Frozen s'mores are refreshing and creamy treats on hot summer days. Plus, if you don't have a fire pit at home, these treats enable you to still enjoy s'mores this summer! —Nancy Mock, Southbridge, Massachusetts
7/30
Guinness Float
From the Recipe Creator:
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, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
8/30
Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
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
9/30
Grilled Peach Sundaes
From the Recipe Creator:
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
10/30
Fried Ice Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
Make this Mexican restaurant-style dessert at home! Drizzle hot fudge or caramel on top of this crunchy, creamy frozen treat. —Ronda Weirich, Plains, Kansas
11/30
Ice Cream Cake Roll
From the Recipe Creator:
This tempting take on the much-loved cake roll features a from-scratch chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream and a layer of berry jam. Garnished with hot fudge and whipped topping, the slices are hard to resist.
12/30
Mudslide
From the Recipe Creator:
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 of Home Test Kitchen
13/30
Peach Cobbler Recipe
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother received this peach cobbler recipe from a friend of hers many years ago, and fortunately she shared it with me. Boise is situated right between two large fruit-producing areas in our state, so peaches are plentiful in the summer. —Ruby Ewart, Boise, Idaho
14/30
Buttery Blueberry Cobbler
From the Recipe Creator:
As the name implies, this is a recipe that is rich and delicious. Since you can use either fresh or frozen blueberries, you can make this easy blueberry cobbler year-round. —Marjorie Green, South Haven, Michigan
15/30
Root Beer Float
From the Recipe Creator:
Fizzy root beer plus creamy vanilla ice cream equals one delicious drink. The key is to get the perfect ratio—two to three scoops of ice cream to one bottle of soda. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
16/30
Easy Apple Crisp
From the Recipe Creator:
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
17/30
Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
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
18/30
Disney’s Dole Whip
From the Recipe Creator:
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 of Home Test Kitchen
19/30
Peach Melba
From the Recipe Creator:
It’s simple to prepare a memorable dessert for just you and someone else. Straight from our Test Kitchen, this yummy classic peach melba recipe features fresh peaches and a super delicious raspberry sauce for drizzling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
20/30
Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
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
21/30
S’mores Milk Shake
From the Recipe Creator:
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
22/30
Ice Cream Kolachkes
From the Recipe Creator:
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
23/30
Banana Split
From the Recipe Creator:
In 1904, the first banana split recipe was made here in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, by David Strickler, an apprentice pharmacist at a local drugstore. We still use his original formula when we make banana splits in our restaurants. —Melissa Blystone, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
24/30
Peppermint Milkshakes
From the Recipe Creator:
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 of Home Test Kitchen
25/30
Grasshopper Baked Alaska
From the Recipe Creator:
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 of Home Test Kitchen
26/30
Limoncello Cream Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
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
27/30
Thin Mint Milk Shake
From the Recipe Creator:
Save a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies for this creamy milkshake that's fun for kids and adults, too. —Shauna Sever, San Francisco, California
28/30
Gluten-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
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
29/30
Caramel Nut Crunch Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
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
30/30
Frozen Grasshopper Torte
From the Recipe Creator:
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.
