4th of July Ice Cream Sundaes . . . (with cookies!)

 

Homemade strawberry ice cream sundae with strawberry-blueberry sauce and whipped topping served in a wine goblet and topped with a cookie on the rim. This is how adults do the 4th of July dessert. So I've been told. 

It all started with a cookie cutter.  A sweet little star-shaped cookie cutter that has a cutout for hanging over the rim of a glass. You can find these over-the-edge cookie cutters on Amazon. This set includes a star but is a set of Christmas cookie cutters. This over-the-edge cookie cutter set includes 9 cutters with the star and also some other cool ones like wings!

It's a star with a little cut-out to rest on the edge of a glass. How cute is that?!?

Now, my mind immediately went to martinis, but Mr. E thought of dessert in a glass....duh.  {He's good to have around.}

It's the perfect little dessert for the 4th of July.

First, make the cut-out cookies for the rims of the glasses.

These are just vanilla-almond sugar cookies decorated really simply with royal icing. Guys, you don't even have to decorate them. Leave them plain; it'll be just as fancy.

If you don't have an over-the-rim cookie cutter, or don't have time to buy one, Lisa from the Bearfoot Baker shows how to make your own over-the-rim cookie cutter...from any shape!

Let's make the homemade strawberry ice cream.

...let me tell you, I NEVER order strawberry ice cream at the ice cream shop.  I mean, it's right.next.to.the.chocolate.  Chocolate wins every time.

BUT...this homemade ice cream has me rethinking my priorities.


Here's how you *know* it's going to be good...the melted ice cream makes a ♥-shaped drip on your ice cream maker.  Yep, it's a sign.

Strawberry Ice Cream
{modified from the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream & Dessert Book}

2 cups sliced & hulled strawberries
1/3 c. sugar
juice from 1/2 a lemon
2 eggs
3/4 c. sugar
2 c. heavy whipping cream
1 c. milk

Stir together the strawberries, 1/3 cup sugar, and lemon juice.  Refrigerate for at least one hour.

Mash with a potato masher or a pastry blender.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy. (Use pasteurized eggs if raw eggs make you nervous.)  Gradually whisk in the 3/4 cup sugar, whisk for an additional minute once all has been added.

Stir in the cream and milk.  Add the strawberry puree.  Pour into a chilled ice cream canister and process according to manufacturer's directions.  Place the ice cream in a freezer-safe container to harden for several hours.

How to make the quick fruit sauce...

Twenty minutes before assembling the sundaes, make the sauce.  Combine more sliced and hulled strawberries with 2 tablespoons of sugar in a bowl.  Let sit for 10 minutes.  Stir in some frozen blueberries.  Let sit for 10 minutes more.

Scoop ice cream into glasses.  Top with the strawberries and blueberries along with the sauce from the bowl.  Dollop on whipped cream (OR Cool Whip).

...don't forget the cookie!

Remember...you don't even have to decorate the cookie! Leave it plain, or cover it in royal icing and sprinkles or sparkling sugar!