National Ice Cream Day Creations

July 19 is National Ice Cream Day, which if you ask me is a great reason to celebrate. When it comes to ice cream, I usually buy vanilla and make my own creations. It's always fun rummaging through my cupboards looking for new combinations. Here are a few of my favorites.

Caramel Crunch

caramel syrup topped with Rice Krispies

PB and Banana

a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter mixed into ice cream and topped with sliced bananas

Key Lime Pie

key lime juice (remember a little bit goes a long way!) mixed with ice cream and topped with crushed graham crackers and whipped topping.

S'more

chocolate syrup over crushed graham crackers and mini marshmallows

Funky Monkey

chocolate syrup topped with sliced bananas, peanuts and coconut

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day by making your own creation, and if you have a favorite ice cream creation, I'd love to hear about it!

Simple Strawberry Pie

Strawberry pie is one of my favorite summertime treats! Best of all, it's super easy to to make, which is why in a pinch this morning I made my strawberry pie dessert for a 4th of July picnic at my parent's cabin.

Here's what you need to get started:
1 1/2 sticks butter
2 cups flour
2 pints of strawberries
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 Tbs. cornstarch
3 oz. strawberry or raspberry gelatin

First, mix together the butter and flour with a pastry cutter or fork.

Press the flour and butter mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

After the crust has cooled, slice 2 pints of strawberries over the crust.

Mix together the water, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil until the liquid becomes clear.

Remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in two boxes (1 box if you use the larger family size) of strawberry or raspberry gelatin.

Place in the refrigerator until the gelatin mixture becomes firm. Add some whipped topping and enjoy!