End of Summer Labor Day Treats

Photo by regan74

We know it’s sad to think about, but the end is near—the end of summer. Labor Day is just around the corner, celebrate it in style with some sweet treats to cool off from all the last minute summer partying. These DIY Labor Day themed ice cream treats will make you the craftiest chef out of all of your friends.

Let’s start somewhere simple with Patriotic Ice Cream Cones. These are a fun way to spice up cones for the kids while also giving them a DIY project.

1. Melt some white chocolate into a bowl and dip the cones into it.
2. Then dip the cones into a bowl of sprinkles to cover up the chocolate.
3. Mix up the colors with some red, white, and blue sprinkles.
4. Do not forget to fill up the cones with your favorite ice cream.

Time to step it up a notch with a Patriotic Trifle dessert. Now the base of any excellent trifle is fruit, pound cake, and whipped cream, but we are going to change things up a bit. We recommend going with your favorite patriotic-colored fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. And of course instead of whipped cream we suggest some Udderly Vanilla. Next it’s time to layer your treats.

1. Cut some pound cake and place it at the bottom of your cup or jar. 
2. Place your fruit and ice cream in the red, white, and blue pattern.
3. Finish it off with another layer of cake and a final scoop of ice cream and maybe some extra fruit for design purposes. It’s up to you.

Photo by Steve Snodgrass

Finally we top it all off with the United Shakes of America—a very patriotic milkshake. Start with a large batch of Udderly Vanilla ice cream. 

1. Divide the ice cream into three parts. 
2. A third is to remain white while the other two thirds are to be mixed with red and blue food gels.
3. You must place your cup into the freezer to set for a half hour to an hour after each layer is put in. 
4. Once the treat is finally finished, put on your favorite ice cream toppings and enjoy!

If you need some supplies, stop by your local Cold Cow supplier today. But do not wait until the last minute, we want you to enjoy your Labor Day weekend! We hope you enjoy these tips and make sure to get to the pool while you still can. Happy Labor Day!

Top Tips for the Perfect Ice Cream Social

Photo by Rizka Budiati

Is there a better way to finish off the summer than with an old fashioned ice cream party? Historically, ice cream socials were used by churches as summer “get together” events. They would mainly take place outside, giving rise to the idea of “ice cream gardens” and parties. Today, ice cream socials are similar. They give people an opportunity to come together and enjoy each other’s company while eating one of America’s favorite treats. Better Home & Gardens gives a couple of tips for getting your own ice cream party underway. Add to their ideas by introducing your own.

Steps

1. Send out ice cream themed invitations. Better Home & Gardens recommends including a wooden spoon for your invitees to bring with them.
2. Decorate your home with banners and ice cream themed ornaments. Try to spruce the place up with the old-style ice cream parlor décor. Happen to have drift wood lying around? Create a wood serving piece to hold and display your ice cream cones.
3. Mix up your ice cream menu with classics as well as some new favorites. We recommend our Hand-Dipped Ice Cream for your larger parties.

Throw in some newer ideas, like Chocolate Dipped Ice Cream Tacos from Your Home Based Mom. Put your favorite ice cream inside the taco shell, wrap it in plastic and freeze until your party guests arrive. Set up a taco decorating station for your guests to create their own masterpiece. They can dip their tacos in warm chocolate then sprinkle on toppings. To allow chocolate and toppings to harden, simply place them in the freezer for a few minutes.

You can also create DIY cones with some fun patterned paper to keep your ice cream from making your hands sticky.  

4. Create an ice cream toppings station. Try to be creative, don’t just use chocolate syrup and sprinkles. Dive into the unknown with fruit sauces, cookies, fruits, jams, and edible flowers to garnish your favorite flavors. You can also bake some cookies ahead of time for your guest to make their own ice cream sandwiches.
5. Enjoy your edible creations with friends and family!

We hope you find these tips helpful in creating your own fun ice cream party. Feel free to stop by your local Cold Cow distributor to stock up on supplies for your upcoming event. Have fun and happy eating!

Experience Bliss with Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches

Photo by Ralph Daily

What is better than a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich? A peanut butter and ICE CREAM sandwich! Yes, you heard us correctly; replace your PB&J with PB & Ice Cream. These tasty treats are simple to make, easy to serve, and even better to eat. Can you feel your mouth watering yet?

Adapted: Taste of Home Recipe

Serves: 16

What You’ll Need:

• ½ cup of shortening
• ½ cup of creamy peanut butter
• ¾ cups of sugar
• ½ cup of packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 12 ounces of dark chocolate candy coating, chopped
• 1 quart of softened ice cream—we recommend “Over the Moooon” or “How Now Brown Cow”

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, peanut butter, cream shortening, 1/2 cup sugar and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla one at a time. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
2. Roll into 1-in. balls and roll in remaining sugar. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
3. Bake 9-11 minutes or until set. Remove to cool.
4. In a microwave, melt candy coating. Stir until smooth. Spread a spoonful on the bottom of each cookie; place chocolate side up until set.
5. To make ice cream sandwiches, place 1/4 cup of Over the Moooon or How Now Brown Cow ice cream on the bottom of half of the cookies and top with remaining cookies.
6. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze on a baking sheet overnight.

If you need ice cream supplies for your Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches, visit our store finder to find Cold Cow near you.

The Perfect Weekend Ice Cream Milkshakes

After a long work week, one of the best ways to sit back and relax is with a cool ice cream milkshake in hand! You may not know that milkshakes were originally meant to be an alcoholic drink, when they were first mentioned in 1885. It wasn't until the 1900s that people started putting ice cream in them. These days though, milkshakes and ice cream go hand-in-hand, making it a delicious treat for anyone.

We put together some of our favorite ice cream milkshake recipes that are worth trying!

Banana Split Milkshake

Supplies

Berry Berry Bovine Milkshake 

Chocolate Moo Ice Cream

Strawberry syrup

Chocolate syrup

Banana

Milk 

Whipped cream

Cherry

Nuts (optional)

Steps

1. Blend together one of our Berry Berry Bovine milkshakes with 2 scoops of Chocolate Moo ice cream and 1/4 cup of milk. You can add in more milk for a thinner milkshake consistency. 
2. Put in a banana and blend on medium speed
3. Pour your milkshake blend into a serving glass
4. Drizzle in strawberry and chocolate syrup. 
5. Top with some whipped cream and nuts (optional) and top it with a cherry! 

If you liked this milkshake recipe, here are a few other ones to try: 

• Salted Caramel Brownie Milkshake from Will Cook For Smiles
• Berries and Cream Milkshake from My Baking Addiction

If you want to skip the preparation part, just stop at a Cold Cow store near you and pick up one of our milkshakes to sip on!