Remember that feeling you got as a child when you were lost in playtime and then you heard it, the growing sound of the ice cream truck jingle? Surely you leaped for joy as you ran to your parents begging them for money to buy yourself a frozen treat. Those were the days. No responsibilities, no bills, no worries other than hoping they didn't run out of Choco Tacos again so you would ungraciously have to settle for a different ice cream flavor.
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While the ice cream truck man doesn't roll around like he used to, you can still indulge in those sweet treats without a trip to the grocery store. Bringing back those happy nostalgic memories and building new ones, we rounded up the 11 best ice cream truck treats that you can make at home. Share them with your little ones or treat yourself to a little ice cream.
1. Ice Cream Sandwich
I'm guessing that with all the tasty ice cream sandwich recipes out there, this is one childhood favorite you still indulge in from time to time. While some may debate between vanilla or neapolitan ice cream, you simply can't go wrong though with the classic. There is something to be said for the simplicity of sandwiching creamy vanilla ice cream between two scrumptious chocolate cookies. Or, switch up a classic by using chocolate chip cookies instead to make it a chipwich.
Chef's Note: To get the perfect sandwich, try this ice cream sandwich maker.
2. Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich
If you're a Klondike bar fan, then you probably skipped with delight towards this classic ice cream truck treat. Tearing into the wrapper with your teeth, nothing could hold you back from your ice cream treat. Well nothing except parents that didn't want to give you money.
Now that you have a job and get to make your own decisions, you can make your own Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches with this recipe. Featuring a homemade chocolate cookie crust, Oreo cookie ice cream, and chunks of Oreo cookies, this may just be better than the real thing.
3. Choco Taco
Who could forget the Choco Taco with its delicious vanilla ice cream enveloped between a crispy waffle cone "taco" shell that's sealed in with a chocolate fudge topping and nuts. If this was your ice cream truck ice cream of choice, you'll be happy to know the copycat recipes is easier than you'd think. With the help of a waffle iron, some yummy ice cream, chocolate, and peanuts, you can whip these up all by yourself. It's nice to be independent isn't it?
4. Drumstick Ice Cream Cone
The best part about a Nestle's Drumstick ice cream cone was that little extra bit of chocolate you got at the bottom of the king cone. It was almost like Nestle's was rewarding you for finishing the whole thing. Reward yourself again with a homemade drumstick. Fill the cones with fudge, top it with a scoop of your favorite ice cream, coat it with a chocolate Magic Shell, and sprinkle it with nuts. It's all about the sweet things in life.
5. Strawberry Shortcake Bars
If strawberry shortcake was your favorite Good Humor bar flavor, then this one's for your. In this no-bake recipe, vanilla ice cream and strawberry sorbet are sandwiched by a Golden Oreo topping and crumbly cookie crust infused with dried strawberries. Use strawberry ice cream as a replacement if that's what you have on hand. The only hard part about this recipe is waiting for it to set in the freezer. But hopefully now that you're an adult, you can distract yourself with these wild and wacky ways to enjoy your favorite childhood cereal to make the time fly by.
6. Orange Creamsicle
Love them or hate them, the Orange Creamsicle screams nostalgia. An ice cream truck staple, it's creamy center and orange sherbert exterior was loaded with sugar, and it tastes like orangey shaved ice for the perfect summer treat.
If you're craving the creamsicle but want a little less sugar, then try this ice cream pop recipe, which can be made with lemon for a lemon ice creamsicle. It's sweet, delicious, and as smooth as soft serve. With orange juice, coconut milk, honey, and extract it achieves the right amount of sweet with the prefect balance of orange and cream.
7. Snow Cones
Remember those Popsicle Snow Cones? Their colorful ice and sugar liquid were what summer was all about. Probably the easiest ice cream truck treat to make, grab a paper cone, stuff it with ice, then pour on your liquid flavoring of choice.
Chef's Note: If you don't have a snow cone machine, a food processor can be use to help crush the ice.
8. Push-Ups Pops
If you really want to go back to the day let's talk about those Flintstone's Push-Up Pops. Filled with frozen sherbet sugary goodness, they always seemed to drip all over your hand despite being encased in paper. That never mattered though, what mattered was the you could keep pushing it up for more - until it was gone, then it was sad.
A throw back to those days, try these Mango Vanilla Honey Push-Ups. They may not be Flintstone, but they taste just as good.
9. Firecracker Popsicles
There it is, the good old red, white, and blue, the Firecracker Popsicle. It's emblematic of those hot summertime childhood days playing outside with the neighbors, just waiting for that magical hour when the ice cream truck rolled around.
Now with the help of this recipe you don't have to wait. Make a blueberry, strawberry, and vanilla yogurt layer, then freeze them in ice pop molds. With this recipe on hand you can keep your fridge stocked with Firecrackers all summer long, or save this bomb pop as a Fourth of July treat.
10. Ninja Turtles Bars
Alright, we know the real reason you were waiting for the ice cream man was so you could get our hands on one of those Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ice cream bars. Luckily now that you're an adult, you don't have to wait thanks to this recipe. By using store-bought pops and decorating them up the Ninja Turtle Way, you can whip these frozen yogurt treats up in a snap. The kids will love decorating them too.
11. Fudgesicles
I'd be lying if I said I didn't still eat a fudgsicle from time to time. Who can pass these sweet icy fudgy treats up when you're walking by the frozen section?
If you also can't pass up one of these treats, you'll be happy to know you can easily whip up a batch at home using six ingredients you probably already have stashed in the kitchen cupboard. Whisking cocoa powder, sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and milk together, then pouring into a popsicle mold is all it takes. Dip it in crushed nuts to make it a fudge crunch bar.
This article was originally published on August 17, 2018.
