How to Host an Ice Cream Social

A great party to host during the summer months is an old-fashioned ice cream social, complete with homemade ice cream! A fun-filled ice cream sundae party is great for kids of all ages and it's the perfect way to stay cool when the temperatures rise.

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Here are some ice cream social ideas to get you started:

  • Invitations: Send out online ice cream party invitations to get guests excited about this special event. Customize your invitation with important event details, send by text or email, and gather RSVPs in minutes.

  • Supplies + Utensils: Make sure to have plenty of disposable bowls, spoons, and napkins for a quick and easy clean-up at your ice cream social party. Another must for easy clean-up is plastic tablecloths. Finally, keep ice cream scoops in a cup of warm water so the scoops glide more easily through the ice cream. 

  • Topping Tips: Place all of the toppings such as hot fudge, sprinkles, cherries, bananas, candy, and whipped cream in clear bowls so guests can see their options. It's also a good idea to label each topping with a small card. 

  • Dress Up Your Cones: Dip cones in melted chocolate and coat them with coconut, sprinkles, nuts, chopped caramel, pretzel bits, or mini marshmallows. Place the finished cones upright in old-fashioned sundae dishes
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  • Float It Up: Have some bottles of root beer available for guests who want to make root beer floats or other tasty creations. Feeling brave? Try a PB&J float: add peanut butter ice cream to grape soda for a fun twist on a classic sandwich.

Finally, try your hand at making homemade ice cream for your ice cream social. This easy recipe below includes a few variations for flavors. The ice cream can be made a day before the party.

Homemade Mint Ice Cream
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Ingredients:
  • 2 cups of sugar
  • 4 cups of half and half or light cream
  • 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tablespoons mint extract
Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Pour the mixture into a 2 quart sized ice cream freezer container. Freeze for about 6 hours or until firm. Depending on the flavor of ice cream you want, you can substitute the mint extract with other ingredients. To make vanilla ice cream, use 2 tbs. of vanilla extract. To make chocolate ice cream, use 1/4 cup of cocoa powder in the recipe instead of mint.
 
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