Summer is in full swing, meaning warm days and nights. The best thing about this season is the ability to cool down with some delicious treats, and there’s one that can’t be overlooked: ice cream. If summer isn’t enough of a reason to experiment with this dessert, how about a holiday dedicated to it? National Ice Cream Day takes place on the third Sunday in July every year. In 2017, it will fall on July 16, leaving baking and pastry students just plenty of time to craft some recipes to celebrate the day.
Here are three that we recommend:
1. Peach pie a la mode
Take advantage of the fresh fruit of the season, and bake a pie! While apples are a classic ingredient, peaches really say summer. Make the crust by mixing flour, sugar, salt and butter and form it into a circular fashion with a hole in the middle. The filling combines sugar, cornstarch, bourbon, lemon juice, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and fresh peaches. Pour the filling into the crust and bake at 375 degrees for an hour and 10 minutes, according to Saveur. Don’t forget to top your creation with a bit of vanilla ice cream! The cold-warm combination is perfect for any occasion.
“Add graham crackers to incorporate texture.”
2. Key lime pie ice cream
There’s no better way to celebrate National Ice Cream Day than making your own and enjoying it morning, noon and night. While the traditional vanilla, chocolate and strawberry are wonderful choices, why not change it up with something a little more original? Key lime pie ice cream is an innovative way for culinary arts students to show their chops. While this recipe takes a little more time – about nine hours, in total – the outcome is completely worth it. My Recipes recommended adding in crushed graham crackers to resemble the pie crust and incorporate texture, which will have people wanting more.
3. Cookie ice cream sandwiches
Recreate the nostalgia of the ice cream truck and its goodies by serving cookie ice cream sandwiches. You’ll first need to bake the cookies of your choice and make sure they’re cool enough to hold the ice cream itself. Experiment with the kinds of ice cream you use or let guests decide. Sherbet or sorbet is a unexpected option, while chocolate and vanilla will suit the traditionalists, Betty Crocker said. Put out sprinkles, extra cookie crumbles and other pastry accessories so people can decorate their own. Feel free to serve right away or freeze the sandwiches and store for another time.
National Ice Cream Day is on the horizon and it’s the perfect opportunity for baking and pastry students to try out some new recipes! Don’t be afraid to experiment with some different ingredients to make your desserts more innovative. Just be sure to remember the most important item: ice cream!
