Root beer float
Nothing takes the edge off a hot summer day like the icy cold goodness of an old-fashioned root beer float.
Photo by Karen Hermann
MAKES 1
2–3 scoops vanilla ice cream
6 ounces root beer or cola
Whipped cream, optional
Chocolate sauce or mini chocolate chips, for garnish
Into a chilled tall glass or mug, add ice cream. Immediately pour in root beer—slowly, allowing the soft drink to foam up and settle down before adding additional. Add whipped cream on top and, if desired, add chocolate sauce or chips. Serve with a straw or long iced-tea spoon.
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Tips and techniques
Get the scoop
When a dessert recipe calls for scoops of ice cream, plan ahead. Place ice cream scoops on a parchment-lined sheet pan and return to freezer for a few hours before building the desserts. This makes handling the scoops easier (they won’t melt as fast) and makes for a more attractive presentation
Whip it good
Sure, we all love the spray can, but homemade whipped cream is even better—and surprisingly easy to make!
Easy homemade whipped cream
MAKES 2 CUPS
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Into a chilled mixer bowl, place cream, sugar and vanilla. Beat on medium to high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2–3 minutes. Watch closely and do not overbeat, or cream will turn into butter.
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What’s cooking on SCLiving.coop
Wrap up desserts—Kitchen do-it-yourselfers will enjoy the simple process of creating homemade waffle cones as demonstrated in this video from Chef Belinda’s kitchen. Watch and learn!
More ice cream treats
It’s going to be a long, hot summer, so don’t miss classic ice cream recipes.
Sorbet bombe with raspberry sauce—With colorful layers of pomegranate, mango and raspberry sorbet, this cool dessert looks almost as good as it tastes.
Triple-chocolate brownie stacks—Just keep the chocolate coming in layers of gooey brownies, ice cream and a white-chocolate drizzle.
Easiest-ever baked Alaska—Impress your dinner guests with this throwback dessert. It’s delicious, and it only looks hard to make.
Nutty chocolate ice cream sandwiches—Your family will “go nuts” over this recipe featuring home-baked cookies and pistachio ice cream.
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Register to win!— Celebrate National Ice Cream Month with South Carolina Living and Clemson’s Best Gourmet Ice Cream. Register to win a $100 Visa gift card and Chef’s Choice waffle cone maker. We’ll draw the name of one lucky reader from all eligible entries received by July 31, 2019.