Forget Hot Fudge And Caramel — Give Vanilla Ice Cream Creamsicle Flavor With One Drink In Your Fridge

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For those who have long tired of classic ice cream toppings like hot fudge and caramel sauce, there's one unassuming beverage in your fridge that stands between you and a delicious frozen treat. If you lean toward bright, creamy sweets, this blend of vanilla ice cream and orange juice will be well worth a try. This combination is well-loved on its own but can also be elevated with myriad add-ins and other toppings, sure to make for a memorable dessert.

This distinct flavor profile, colloquially known as an orange creamsicle, is found in different variations of orange-vanilla frozen desserts. Many also liken it to an Orange Julius, which is a specific offering made by the namesake company. That said, a homemade Orange Julius is usually made with four ingredients, not merely two. As for combining these components, you may lightly pour your orange juice over top or blend the two together to make a creamy, citrus-forward milkshake. Some simply add two scoops of vanilla ice cream to a cup of orange juice. Mix together, and enjoy.

It's important to consider how much orange juice you're adding so as not to drown the ice cream if you want it to maintain its partially frozen texture. You can always play with proportions, but for those who want to enjoy this combination in a scoopable form, try mixing softened vanilla ice cream with orange juice, freezing the mixture, and processing it in the Ninja CREAMi or the Black+Decker Perfect Pint. Either of these gadgets makes it easy to create a well-balanced treat.

Once frozen, you'll merely scoop and serve. One commenter on Reddit suggests that you "keep spooning [orange juice] over top [of the ice cream] until it forms a crust. Instant creamsicle!" Some prefer to enjoy it in the form of an orange float. This drink consists of a tall glass of orange juice served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, much like a root beer float. You could even make your own version of the orange cream Coke float that brings back old-school vibes. Regardless of how you combine this duo, it's sure to make for a rich, bright, and refreshing frozen treat.

And if you've opted for freshly squeezed orange juice, don't throw away your orange peels. Instead, use them to make a three-ingredient candy for garnish. That said, you could also go a more elaborate route by turning this combination into a tropical-inspired milkshake. All it takes is a blender, your ice cream, orange juice for texture, some pineapple, and a banana for the ultimate frozen treat. If that's not enough, consider turning the orange juice into a thickened glaze or syrup to pour over top, similar to strawberry sauce. This simple yet impressive topping merely requires combining orange juice and sugar over heat. You'll let this cook until thickened, then let it cool before pouring it over your vanilla ice cream.