These DIY Ice Bowls are so simple, yet so elegant for serving cool/frozen desserts in.
You know what’s the worst part about eating ice-cream? The melting. And you know what’s even worse? Trying to take pictures of ice-cream. Believe me, it’s a real nightmare!
I hate runny ice-cream, Popsicle, sorbet, what have you. I just hate it. I can’t put it back in the fridge, I can’t stop it from melting, because duh, the sun. And let’s face it, it’s not a whole lot of fun eating cold stuff from inside a cold room.
Even if you don’t care about ice-cream puddles, let me tell ya, these ice bowls are still insanely ‘cool’ (no pun intended there). And I promise, your ice-cream will stay frozen for a little while longer than usual…
Step 1:
Find two stainless steel or strong plastic bowls, one smaller than the other. Please do not choose ceramic or glass for this project. I did, and when the water expanded during freezing, it cracked my favorite bowl in half 🙁
Fill water inside the bigger bowl and then place the smaller bowl inside. Place weights (I used dry lentils, use pie weights or marbles if you want) in the smaller bowl to weigh it down.
If you use hot water, your ice bowls will be clear. If you use room temperature water, your ice bowls will be slightly cloudy (like mine)
The bigger bowl is the shape your ice bowl will take. The smaller bowl (and the depth to which it is sunk into the big bowl) is the hole in the bowl, into which you will serve your desserts.
Step 2:
Use toothpicks and tape to hold the smaller bowl at the center of the big bowl. Otherwise, the water will shift the smaller bowl during freezing and your ice bowl won’t come out right.
Step 3:
Freeze! Put it in the coldest part of your freezer if you have to. It might be safe to leave it in there at least overnight. Make sure you’re not moving it around too much while it freezes.
Step 4:
Once frozen, remove the toothpicks and try to wiggle the smaller bowl carefully (without cracking or chipping the ice). Run tap water on the outside of the bigger bowl, this will loosen the ice bowl.
Carefully turn it over and the ice bowl will slip out without trouble.
Put back in the freezer and repeat the whole process to make as many ice-bowls as you’ll need.
When it’s time to serve, take out your ice bowls, and pile on with scoops of ice-cream or this amazing 3 ingredient Mango Basil Sorbet!
When you make these (which I really think you SHOULD!), be sure to SHARE YOUR PHOTOS with me through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. I’d love to see what you cook from here and will share it with pride on my social media feeds.
Hannah Healy says
What a lovely idea. I must make these soon. Thanks for sharing!
Tina Dawson says
No problem Hannah! I’m glad you liked them!
Claire@foodiequine says
Would make a great way to end a dinner party. Such an amazing way to serve a simple dessert. Guests would certainly remember it. Thanks for the tip about glass bowls.
Tina Dawson says
Yeah, I lost my favourite bowl to this project! *sniff* I hope you knock the socks off your guests with these!
Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated says
I can definitely relate to the whole taking-pics-of-ice-cream thing! Total nightmare. I love the idea of keeping ice cream frozen longer with these awesome bowls! Thanks so much for the tip about what kind of bowls to use and so sorry your favourite one broke 🙁
Tina Dawson says
Awww thanks Nicola!!! It was such poor judgement on my part!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
You are so clever, Tina! What a fabulous idea for serving cold desserts! In Florida, it’s so hot, I still think I’d have to eat this inside otherwise the bowl — and the ice cream would melt.
Tina Dawson says
I totally can see that happen, Lisa! 🙂
Shashi at Savory Spin says
These are gorgeous, Tina! What a conversation starter these would be at any get-together, not to mention – they’d be super useful when it came to keeping ice cream chilled too! Beautiful!
Tina Dawson says
Thanks Shashi!!!!!! I can’t wait to have you girls over! <3