WE ALL SCREAM for ice cream

COOL OFF WITH THESE YUMMY HOMEMADE FROZEN TREATS

PHOTOS & FOOD BY MELISSA TATE

FUNFETTI ICE CREAM BARS

SERVINGS: 16 ICE CREAM BARS | PREP TIME: 10 MIN. | CHILL TIME: 6 HRS. | TOTAL TIME: 6 HRS. 10 MIN. TIPS & TRICKS: Use the rod-shaped sprinkles, known as “jimmies.” They stick to the bars far better than the small round sprinkles.

INGREDIENTS: 1 box Funfetti cake mix | 2 ¼ cups whole milk | ¼ cup whipped cream | ½ cup rainbow sprinkles | 16 ice cream sticks DIRECTIONS: WHISK together cake mix and milk until smooth. ADD whipped cream and whisk until combined. ADD 2 Tbsp. sprinkles to mixture and stir. DIVIDE mixture into ice cream bar molds, add sticks, and place in freezer until frozen, usually 6 hours. LET BARS SIT for a couple of minutes before easing out of molds. COVER with sprinkles before serving.

TIPS & TRICKS: Use the rod-shaped sprinkles, known as “jimmies.” They stick to the bars far better than the small round sprinkles.

4 INGREDIENT STRAWBERRY BANANA ICE CREAM

SERVINGS: 4 | PREP TIME: 35 MIN. | CHILL TIME: 2 HOURS | TOTAL TIME: 2 HRS. 35 MIN.

INGREDIENTS: Base Ingredients: 4 large bananas, frozen | 2 cups strawberries, frozen | 4 Tbsp. sugar DIRECTIONS: PLACE frozen strawberries in bowl and sprinkle with sugar. LET SOFTEN for 30 min at room temperature or defrost in microwave with sugar on strawberries. ONCE softened, add strawberry mixture and bananas to blender and blend until combined. BLEND 3 minutes, stop and scrape down pitcher as needed. Your fruit chunks will slowly become creamy. PLACE in freezer safe container and freeze for 2 hours. Serve and enjoy!

TIPS & TRICKS: This ice cream can be served immediately, without going into the freezer, for a soft serve ice cream.

EASY ICE CREAM SANDWICH

SERVINGS: 6 | PREP TIME: 20 MIN. | CHILL TIME: 30 MIN. | TOTAL TIME: 40 MIN.

INGREDIENTS: 1 dozen chocolate chip cookies | ½ gallon ice cream, any flavor | white chocolate candy coating or almond bark | chocolate candy coating or almond bark | sprinkles | chopped nuts | crushed Oreos DIRECTIONS: LET ice cream soften just a bit. SCOOP ¼ to ½ cup ice cream onto bottom side of one cookie. PLACE another cookie on top, bottom side on ice cream. REPEAT for each cookie and place in freezer for 15 minutes. While cookies firm, PREPARE your toppings. With 2 minutes left on the cookie chill time, PREPARE your candy coating as directed on package. ONCE coating is ready, dip one side of cookie sandwich into candy coating then immediately sprinkle with topping of choice. PLACE on parchment or waxed paper and chill for 15 more minutes.

TIPS & TRICKS: These sandwiches are great with any flavor cookie and any flavor ice cream. They are also a great activity for summer parties.

To follow Melissa and her cooking adventures visit MelissaTateTX.com or find her on Instagram at @MELISSATATETX