Treat yourself to edible ice cream bowls

FOOD DIY ICE CREAM EDIBLE BOWLS 14433901.JPG

Credit: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

To make your ice cream treats extra special, create these edible bowls and fill just before serving.

By: ALISON LADMAN | The Associated Press
Published: July 13, 2011

Edible ice-cream bowls are a terrific way to show off homemade ice cream. They also are a way to take your ice-cream sundae bar to the next level.

Because these bowls are made from a sweet, crisp shell, you could use them for other desserts, as well. They'd be terrific filled with a fruit salad or pudding and berries. They will soften as they sit with a liquid in them, so they should be filled just before serving. They'll keep for a week in an airtight container at room temperature.

This recipe calls for two specialty kitchen items: a silicone baking mat and an offset spatula. Both are inexpensive and widely available at kitchen shops.

The former is a nonstick liner for baking sheets. You could use parchment paper as an alternative. The latter is a long, thin spatula set at an angle from the handle. Used mostly when baking and decorating cakes, this tool makes it easy to get under and move baked goods. With care, a thin metal spatula can be used instead.

Edible Lace Ice Cream Bowls

Start to finish: 1 hour

Makes 15 bowls.

1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Heat the oven to 350°. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat. Have ready a small offset spatula and several small overturned glasses.

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer with the whisk attachment to mix the sugar and flour. Drizzle in the butter and mix to fully incorporate. Slowly add the water and the vanilla while continuing to mix.

Scoop a tablespoon of batter onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into a 4- to 5-inch circle. Leaving plenty of space between them, repeat with 2 more spoons of batter. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden all over. Let the baking sheet sit on the counter for 1 minute, then carefully peel each round off the baking mat by sliding the offset spatula underneath. If the cookie sticks to the spatula, wait another 30 seconds. Drape each round over an overturned glass, gently pressing the sides down to form a bowl shape. Let cool until firm.

Repeat in batches with the remaining batter. Once cooled, the bowls can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Nutrients per bowl: 119 calories; 55 calories from fat (46 percent of total calories); 6 grams fat (4 grams saturated; no trans fats); 16 milligrams cholesterol; 17 grams carbohydrate; 1 gram protein; no fiber; 1 milligram sodium.