Turn Plain Vanilla Ice Cream Into A Saucy Blueberry Dessert With One Classic Canned Item

When you want to elevate plain vanilla ice cream, virtually any topping gets the job done. Yet, to enhance your next bowl with something fruity, you may be thinking your only topping options are fresh or frozen berries or a warm, homemade fruit sauce prepared over your stove. However, there is also an extra-sweet, shelf-stable ingredient you can use to give vanilla ice cream a burst of blueberry flavor: Canned blueberry pie filling. It's pre-cooked and has a saucy consistency thanks to the added sugar and modified food starch included in every can. Because this ingredient is crafted specifically for baking, it boasts a soft, lush texture reminiscent of most popular brands of vanilla ice cream. 

Even better, you can experiment with the temperature of this easy-to-use fruit filling to create an ultra-delicious dessert. For example, pre-warm the filling in the microwave for a runnier consistency, and then pour it over firm scoops of vanilla ice cream. Or allow your ice cream to soften slightly at room temperature, then make a visually-appealing parfait with even layers of vanilla ice cream and blueberry pie filling. You can also add softened vanilla ice cream to a loaf pan and swirl in a can of blueberry pie filling with a butter knife before freezing the mixture into an all-in-one dessert. Whichever way you pair these two decadent ingredients, don't forget to dress this sweet-tasting combo in a range of complementary toppings.

Even though you can make a sweet and saucy dessert with just these two ingredients, you may want to add more foods to the mix for flavor and texture. If you're craving a little crunch, consider adding some crushed graham crackers, vanilla wafer cookies, or vanilla-flavored Oreos. You can also serve this simple dessert with toasted nuts or a small amount of your favorite granola.

If you don't necessarily want to upgrade vanilla ice cream and canned blueberry pie filling with crunchier foods, you can also elevate the taste of this easy dessert with a few more nuanced extras. Consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or orange juice for a hint of citrus. Or add one or two sprigs of your favorite herbs, such as fresh basil or mint. You can also enhance the taste of this dessert with a drizzle of sweet-tasting condiments like chocolate syrup or caramel sauce. Last but not least, add a scoop of fresh vanilla whipped cream and a few jarred maraschino cherries for a fun twist.

Once you get comfortable experimenting with canned blueberry pie filling, feel free to experiment with more varieties. This idea works for turning vanilla ice cream into a retro dessert with cherry pie filling, orange juice, and vanilla extract for a twist on cherries jubilee. Similarly, you can give ice cream sundaes an apple pie touch with canned apple filling.