“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!!!”
Back when our kids were in elementary school we began this family tradition of making, what we later named … “Sand Pail Ice Cream.” It became our tradition to make this ice cream when the last school day of the year was over; a happy and fun beginning to summer vacation!
Now, with all our family and their children going to different schools and having different schedules in different cities, we aren’t always able to make it together at the beginning of summer, but it remains a fun family tradition we still have every summer. This summer we made it for our Labor Day celebration, signifying summer’s end, rather than it’s beginning. Fun and equally good, whenever it’s served!
First, you need to invest in a brand new plastic sand pail. (: Wash your new pail in warm sudsy water.
Then set out 1 or more half gallons of ice cream, depending on how many people you will be serving and how much your sand pail will hold. (It’s hard to tell in this picture, but the sand pail I have can hold 3 half gallon cartons of ice cream! We have also used additional sand pails when we have larger crowds to serve and for different flavors and mixes!) When the ice cream has softened, scoop the ice cream from the cartoon and into the sand pail.
The rest is simple … just chop and stir in your family’s favorite ice cream “add-in’s” and toppings … or dish ice cream into separate containers for each person to individualize with their choice of toppings and add-in’s!
Some suggested add-in’s (but not limited to!)
- candy
- ice cream syrup’s
- marshmallow topping
- cookies
- fruit – cherries, pineapple, banana
- cool whip
- sprinkles … the more sprinkles, the better for your little ones!
Other suggestions …
- make sure all your candies “compliment” each other (don’t mix sour candies with chocolate candies!)
- my family’s favorite ice cream is Bluebell’s Cookies and Cream – I used that flavor of ice cream and already had 1 “add-in” … cookies!
- do not use candies that might harden in the ice cream and be difficult to bite into!
- have 2 or more sand pails for additional or different flavor combinations!
Have fun setting your table and using all your festive bowls, glasses, soda fountain glasses, straws, spoons, and decorations! I added a centerpiece of giant pixie straws, cupcake liners to hold extra add-in’s to nibble on, and little plastic animals to adorn each ice cream serving!
“We all scream for ice cream!”
From my cottage to your’s ~ Trenda
Cottage Green on the Lake 