Ice cream desserts make great treats on hot summer days. While ice cream is a great dessert on its own, it can also add a refreshing layer of flavor to cakes, pies, cookies, and floats. These recipes will help you turn store-bought ice cream into showstopping desserts. Of course, you can use homemade ice cream when making these recipes if you prefer, but the pre-packaged version can help save you some time when pulling these ice cream desserts together. 

Desserts made with ice cream also make great make-ahead options for summer parties because they need to be frozen and can be stored in the freezer until it's time to serve dessert. Plus, many of these desserts can be made without having to turn on the oven. Read on to find our best desserts that are made with ice cream to try now.

Recipe: Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Boxed brownie mix and a store-bought ice cream help this homemade dessert come together easily. Once made, have fun rolling the edges in colorful sprinkles. 

Recipe: Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake

Instead of baking, this pretty layer cake just requires freezing to take shape. The secret crunch? Crispy rice cereal and freeze-dried strawberries. 

This refreshing dessert drink comes together in just 5 minutes.

Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

You'll need just five ingredients to pull together these ice cream bars.

Recipe: Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake

Red Velvet Cake is given a summer makeover with the addition of ice cream and fresh berries.

Recipe: No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie

Not only does this pie not require any baking, it is also a great make-ahead option since it has to be frozen for at least 8 hours and up to 24 before serving.

We made lemonade even more refreshing with the addition of vanilla ice cream.

Recipe: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream Cake

Mint chocolate chip ice cream, Devil's food cake, and chocolate mints come together create a colorful dessert that mint chocolate fans will love.

Recipe: Buckeye Ice Cream Sandwich

Peanut butter and chocolate are always a decadent duo. The convenience of store-bought ingredients help this dessert come together easily. 

Recipe: Bourbon Ice Cream Float

Let guests choose the carbonated beverage of their choice to make these boozy floats.