Ice Cream Social Invitations

Can you believe that it is almost Memorial Weekend? Summer is knocking at the door and it is bringing with it ice cream. That’s right. Did you know that July was National Ice Cream month and July 16th is National Ice Cream Day? Yes it is and it so happens that my sister and I love ice cream. I plan to honor the month by indulging in several bowls of creamy coffee ice cream; my sister is honoring the occasion by illustrating ice cream cone fill-in invitations and stationery (show-off).

These colorful ice cream cone invites are perfect if planning an ice cream social to celebrate National Ice Cream month or any occasion with ice cream. We also have festive ice cream sundae invitations available on our site, All Us All the Time.









To kick off the summer right, here is a recipe for homemade vanilla ice cream with suggested flavorings and toppings.

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
You will need:

• 2 1/4 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp. flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 5 cups milk (can substitute 1% milk for a lower fat recipe)
• 4 eggs beaten
• 4 c. whipping cream (can substitute evaporated skim milk for a lower fat recipe)
• 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• see optional flavorings below

Combine sugar, flour, and salt in saucepan. Gradually stir in milk. Cool over medium heat approximately 15 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly. Gradually stir about 1 cup of hot mixture into the beaten eggs. Add egg mixture to remaining hot mixture, stirring constantly. Cook 1 minute and remove from heat. Refrigerate 2 hours. Combine whipping cream and vanilla in large bowl. Add chilled mixture, stirring with wire whisk to combine. Freeze as directed by your ice cream maker/machine. Makes 4 Quarts.

Flavorings:

• Coffee: Add 4 tablespoons of espresso powder or instant coffee to the sugar, flour, and salt mixture.
• Cookies and Cream: Crumble chocolate sandwich cookies in to the mix before freezing.
• Chocolate Chip: Add shaved chocolate in to the mixture before freezing.
• Strawberry/Blueberry/Raspberry/Blackberry/Peach: Mix in 1 to 2 cups of puree fruit to the mixture before freezing.
• Cinnamon: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to sugar, flour, and salt mixture.
• Chocolate: Stir in 1 cup or more of chocolate syrup into mixture before freezing.
• Food Coloring: For some added fun, add in a teaspoon or more of food coloring to your plain vanilla for a striking bowl of orange, green, blue, red, purple, or yellow bowl of ice cream.

Toppings:

• Chocolate Sauce
• Butterscotch
• Caramel Sauce
• Puree Fruit Sauce
• Peanuts/Walnuts/Almonds
• Cookie Crumbs (chocolate sandwich, chocolate chip, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, animal crackers)
• Chocolate Coated Candies
• Chopped Candy Bars
• Sprinkles
• Marshmallows or Marshmallow Cream
• Jelly Beans
• Bananas
• Whip Cream

...and don't forget the cherries for the top!