8 Desserts to Check Off Your Frozen-Treat Bucket List

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Beach trips, backyard cookouts, outdoor movies and other excursions are the most-often-evoked examples of “summer bucket list” material. But these summery activities aren’t the only things you should be checking off during the warm-weather months. For a lot of us, summer is defined by the food we eat —which, oftentimes, is not food we can eat much of at any other time of year.

Before summer’s end, be sure to knock these eight non-negotiable, must-eat frozen treats off your list. When it’s all said and done, will you have put your summer to good use?

Ice Cream Sundae

Though you’re likely already countering the sky-high temps with ice-cold (yet melting) ice cream, assembling your own sundae is a way to celebrate summer that’s straight out of childhood. Go for Ree’s Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae, which goes big with hot, freshly baked cookie squares, ice cream, hot fudge and sticky caramel.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Ice Cream Freezer Pops

Devouring your ice cream directly from the pint carton might work when it’s just you and the container, but summer parties call for an elevated presentation. Use paper cups as molds for Ree Drummond’s Ice Cream Freezer Pops for an easy summer party dessert on a stick.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Ice Cream Sandwiches

If a piping-hot burger off the grill is the only kind of sandwich-esque bite you’ve munched on this summer, it’s about time you savored a sweeter take. Don’t let summer pass before you assemble one like Giada De Laurentiis’ Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches, which feature cookies coated with chocolate-toffee candy bars.

Frozen Fruit Pops

Arguably more refreshing than even a glass of old-fashioned lemonade, fruity ice pops should be downed stick after stick all summer long. Before it’s too late, fill up some molds for homemade Honeydew Melon and Cilantro Ice Pops.

Photo by: Alice Gao ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Alice Gao, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Granita

Icy-cold like shaved ice, granita is an Italian semi-frozen dessert that is sure to cool you down. It’s worth trying, if you haven’t already been relying on it all summer long. Freeze up Food Network Kitchen’s healthy Watermelon Granita — made with just watermelon, sugar and lemon juice — before raking the frozen finished product and serving in cups.

Food Network Kitchen's Homemade Ice Cream Cake How To Beauty Shot

Food Network Kitchen's Homemade Ice Cream Cake How To Beauty Shot

Photo by: Tara Donne ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Tara Donne, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Food Network Kitchen's Homemade Ice Cream Cake How To Beauty Shot

Ice Cream Cake

Especially if you have a birthday on deck this month, a towering DIY ice cream cake is the way to go. Here’s how to make a cookies-and-cream version.

Ice Cream Floats

Summer livin’ should be easy, and an old-fashioned float is just that. For a true taste of the soda fountain, Guy Fieri pours cherry-vanilla soda over scoops of chocolate ice cream for his cherry-topped Chocolate Malted Cherry Float.

GUY_F_CHOCOLATE_MALTED_CHERRY_FLOAT_H.jpg

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

From-Scratch Ice Cream

A true lover of frozen treats doesn’t get every ice cream fix by way of a pint. In fact, you know you’re really serious about frozen treats when you make your own ice cream. Here’s how to make your own cookies-and-cream flavor.

Food Network Kitchen's Homemade Ice Cream How To: Cookies And Cream

Food Network Kitchen's Homemade Ice Cream How To: Cookies And Cream

Photo by: Tara Donne ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Tara Donne, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Food Network Kitchen's Homemade Ice Cream How To: Cookies And Cream

Get more frozen treats from our friends:

The Hungry Traveler Blog: Banana Coconut Paletas

Dishin & Dishes: Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream

Homemade Delish: Jalapeno and Peach Gelato

The Mom 100: Easy Chocolate Mousse

Taste with the Eyes: Figs and Sabayon a la Julia Child

In Jennie’s Kitchen: Seven Sensational Frozen Treats

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