Ice cream pizza! It’s not exactly what it sounds like, but trust us, it’s a million times better. This crowd-pleasing dessert combines a warm, gooey cookie base with your favorite ice cream flavors and toppings for a fun, customizable treat. Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm chocolate chip cookie crust layered with creamy vanilla ice cream, all drizzled with rich chocolate sauce and sprinkled with colorful sprinkles. It’s like a party in your mouth!
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just need a sweet fix, ice cream pizza is surprisingly simple to make. Let’s gather the ingredients and get churning!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (170g) chocolate chips
For the Ice Cream Layer:
- 1.5 quarts of your favorite ice cream, slightly softened (Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or get creative with cookie dough or mint chocolate chip!)
For the Toppings (Get creative here!):
- Chocolate sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
- Fresh fruit (berries, bananas, kiwi)
- Chopped nuts
- Sprinkles
Tools of the Trade:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Rolling pin (or a sturdy glass)
- Pizza cutter or sharp knife
- Freezer-safe container
Let’s Make Ice Cream Pizza!
1. Creating the Cookie Crust:
- Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream together butter and sugars: In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is where your stand mixer or hand mixer comes in handy.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Fold in the chocolate chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips using a rubber spatula.
- Shape the crust: Transfer the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a rolling pin or a flat-bottomed glass, spread the dough into a 12-inch circle. If you like a thicker crust, feel free to make it a bit smaller.
- Bake to perfection: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
- Cool completely: Allow the cookie crust to cool completely on the baking sheet before moving on to the next step.
2. Assembling the Ice Cream Pizza:
- Transfer the crust: Once the cookie crust is completely cool, carefully transfer it to a freezer-safe plate or a cutting board.
- Spread the ice cream: Evenly spread the slightly softened ice cream over the cooled cookie crust, leaving a small border around the edge for aesthetics.
- Freeze for a bit: Place the assembled ice cream pizza in the freezer for about 30-60 minutes, or until the ice cream is firm. This will make it easier to cut and serve.
3. Adding the Finishing Touches:
- Slice and serve: Remove the ice cream pizza from the freezer and use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice it into wedges, just like a real pizza.
- Time for toppings: Let your creativity run wild! Drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce, add dollops of whipped cream, scatter your favorite chopped nuts and sprinkles, or arrange some fresh fruit slices on top.
- Enjoy immediately: Serve your ice cream pizza immediately and get ready for the compliments to roll in.
Tips and Tricks for Ice Cream Pizza Perfection:
- Soften your ice cream just right: You want your ice cream soft enough to spread easily, but not melting. About 10-15 minutes out of the freezer should do the trick.
- Crust alternatives: Feeling adventurous? Swap the traditional chocolate chip cookie crust with a graham cracker crust, a brownie base, or even a sugar cookie crust.
- Get the kids involved: This is a fun and easy recipe to make with kids. They’ll love choosing their favorite toppings and creating their own personalized ice cream pizzas.
- Make it ahead of time: You can assemble the ice cream pizza (without the toppings) up to a day in advance. Just keep it tightly wrapped in the freezer and add the toppings right before serving.
A colorful and delicious ice cream pizza
FAQs:
Can I use store-bought cookie dough for the crust?
Absolutely! Using store-bought cookie dough is a great time-saver. Just press it into your desired shape and bake according to package directions.
What if my ice cream starts to melt too quickly?
If your ice cream starts to melt while you’re assembling the pizza, pop it back into the freezer for 15-20 minutes to firm up before continuing.
A family enjoys slices of ice cream pizza together.
There you have it – your guide to making a fantastic ice cream pizza at home. It’s easier than you think, and the results are guaranteed to impress. So grab your ingredients, put on your chef’s hat, and get ready to create a frozen masterpiece your family will rave about.
Want to explore other delicious frozen treats? Check out our recipe for classic chocolate ice cream!
