During the summer, it's practically mandatory for me to indulge in one of my all-time favorite foods -- ice cream! During the rest of the year I try to hold back, but when summer hits, there's no stopping me. I love a classic vanilla soft-serve (or "creamee" in certain parts of the country -- still tasty, but I'll stick with "soft-serve," thanks) on a cone with colored sprinkles  or fancy gelatos with figs, marscapone, chili peppers, and hazelnut (though not all in one flavor), and everything in between. And if you're eating dinner at home, it's the easiest dessert possible; just open a carton, scoop it into a bowl, and dress it up however you like.

There are endless ways to serve ice cream, and the Starbucks folks sent me some recipes that sound pretty darn good and elevate the ordinary scoop into something more sophisticated. Here are some of my favorites (you can use Starbucks brand ice cream, of course, or if you can't find it feel free to substitute your favorite brand):

TIRAMISU ICE CREAM PARFAITS

2 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes

• 1 cup sweetened whipped cream plus extra for topping
• 1/2 cup mascarpone*
• 1/3 cup strong-brewed coffee or espresso
• 2 Tbsp. coffee liqueur (optional)
• 1 cup chopped crunchy ladyfinger cookies
• 1 cup java chip frappuccino ice cream

1. Fold 1/4 cup whipped cream into mascarpone in medium bowl. Fold in remaining whipped cream; set aside.

2. Combine coffee with liqueur; set aside.

3. Spoon 1/2 of the mascarpone mixture into 2 parfait dishes. Sprinkle about 1/4 of the cookies and 1/4 of the coffee mixture into each dish. Evenly scoop ice cream into dishes, then top with remaining ingredients. Garnish, if desired, with additional whipped cream, grated chocolate or chocolate covered espresso beans.

*SUBSTITUTION: Use 1 package (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened, whisked with 2 tablespoons milk instead of mascarpone. Fold into whipped cream and continue as above.

COFFEE BANANAS FOSTER

2 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

• 2 medium bananas, sliced
• 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy or whipping cream
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Tbsp. dark or light rum
• 2 slices prepared pound cake (about 1/2-inch-thick), toasted
• 1 cup caramel macchiato ice cream

1. Bring bananas, sugar, cream, butter and rum to a boil over medium heat in 10-inch nonstick skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Remove from heat.

2. Arrange cake on 2 dessert dishes. Top with ice cream, then banana mixture.

DECADENT HOT CHOCOLATE AFFOGATO

2 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

• 3/4 cup 2% milk
• 1/2 cup half and half, heavy cream or milk
• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or 2 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• Salt
• 1 cup coffee ice cream

1. Bring milk, half and half, chocolate, sugar and salt just to a boil in 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, 5 minutes or until chocolate is melted.

2. Scoop ice cream into two large ice cream bowls. Pour hot chocolate around ice cream and garnish, if desired, with whipped cream.

--Maggie

recipes and photos courtesy of starbucks