Indulge in the simplest pleasure with homemade Ice Cream Bonbons, a delightful treat perfect for satisfying any sweet craving. These easy-to-make frozen bites feature crisp wafer cookies topped with your favorite ice cream, all enrobed in a rich, decadent chocolate shell. Ideal for keeping a stash in your freezer, they offer a quick and satisfying escape any time you need a sweet pick-me-up.
There’s nothing quite like a refreshing frozen dessert to brighten your day or round off a delicious meal. If you’re on the hunt for more delightful cold treats, consider whipping up this vibrant Mango Sorbet, or for a truly show-stopping dessert, try this rich Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake. But for pure, unadulterated, bite-sized bliss, these Ice Cream Bonbons stand in a league of their own.
We’ve all heard the playful adage – children off to school, imagining mom is home enjoying bonbons all day. While that might sound like a dream, after a busy morning, a little indulgence is definitely in order! My kids just headed back to school, and I must confess, the thought of spending the afternoon savoring these delightful Ice Cream Bonbons is incredibly tempting. They’re the perfect way to bring a little bit of luxury and joy into an ordinary day.
Traditionally, bonbons refer to small confections, often chocolates with a sweet filling. However, my passion lies with this innovative ice cream version. Picture a crispy wafer base, a generous scoop of your favorite creamy ice cream, all coated in a snap-worthy layer of chocolate. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that’s truly irresistible. Not only are these ice cream bonbons utterly delicious, but they are incredibly simple to prepare, making them an ideal make-ahead dessert. Having a ready supply tucked away in the freezer means you’re always prepared when that inevitable sweet tooth craving strikes. They are the ultimate solution for a quick, satisfying treat.
Why Make Homemade Ice Cream Bonbons?
Beyond their delightful taste, crafting your own ice cream bonbons at home offers a multitude of advantages. Firstly, it’s remarkably cost-effective compared to buying pre-made gourmet versions from a specialty store. You get to control the quality of ingredients, ensuring a fresher and often healthier treat. Secondly, the customization options are endless! From choosing your favorite cookie base to experimenting with unique ice cream flavors and a variety of toppings, you can tailor each bonbon to your exact preferences. This makes them perfect for catering to different tastes or dietary needs, and they can be a fun activity to involve the whole family in. Plus, having a batch of these exquisite little desserts ready in your freezer means you’re always prepared for unexpected guests or a spontaneous craving, transforming ordinary moments into special occasions.
Essential Ingredients for Your Ice Cream Bonbons
Creating these delightful ice cream bonbons requires just a few key ingredients, allowing their individual flavors to truly shine. For precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card at the conclusion of this post.
- Nilla Wafers: These classic round vanilla wafers are my go-to choice due to their perfect size, delightful crunch, and subtly sweet flavor that complements almost any ice cream. However, feel free to get creative! You could substitute them with other thin, plain, round cookies like shortbread, digestive biscuits, or even a simple graham cracker for a different base. Just ensure they are sturdy enough to hold a scoop of ice cream. You can find Nilla Wafers readily available in most grocery stores.
- Ice Cream: The heart of your bonbon! The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. In the accompanying photos, I used a delicious cookie dough ice cream, which added a wonderful textural element. For a smoother, more uniformly coated bonbon, a classic flavor without large mix-ins like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or mint chip works wonderfully. However, don’t let that limit you! Experiment with your absolute favorite flavor – whether it’s salted caramel, pistachio, coffee, or a vibrant fruit sorbet. Just ensure the ice cream is slightly softened for easy scooping, but not melted, to achieve that perfect dome shape.
- Chocolate Melting Wafers: While you can technically use high-quality baking chocolate, I highly recommend chocolate melting wafers (also known as candy melts or compound chocolate). They are designed to melt smoothly and harden quickly without the need for tempering, making the dipping process significantly easier and less prone to issues like seizing or streaking, especially when coating a frozen item. They also tend to be more budget-friendly. Most major grocery stores and craft stores carry them in various chocolate types (milk, dark, white) and even colors.
- Coconut Oil: A small amount of coconut oil is a secret weapon here. It helps thin the melted chocolate ever so slightly, creating a smoother, more fluid consistency that makes dipping effortless and ensures an even, thin coating that sets with a satisfying snap. Virgin or refined coconut oil both work well.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: These are an optional but delightful garnish. I used mini chocolate chips to echo the cookie dough ice cream flavor, but the possibilities for toppings are endless! Consider festive sprinkles, finely chopped nuts (like peanuts, almonds, or pecans), toasted shredded coconut, a sprinkle of sea salt, or even a contrasting chocolate drizzle.
Crafting Your Delicious Ice Cream Bonbons: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of irresistible ice cream bonbons:
Step 1: Prepare Your Cookie Base
Begin by arranging your Nilla Wafers (or chosen wafer cookies) neatly on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. While the image shows the cookies flat side up, placing them flat side down can sometimes make the dipping process slightly easier, allowing the chocolate to adhere more smoothly. However, either orientation will yield delicious results, so choose what feels most comfortable for you.
Step 2: Add the Ice Cream and Freeze
Using a small ice cream scoop (a 1-tablespoon size works perfectly for a bite-sized bonbon), carefully place a scoop of your chosen ice cream onto the center of each cookie. Aim for a nice, rounded dome. A standard 14 oz container of ice cream typically yields about 15 bonbons, but this can vary depending on your scoop size. Once all cookies are topped, immediately transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for a minimum of 30 minutes. This crucial step ensures the ice cream is firm enough to withstand dipping without melting.
Step 3: Melt the Chocolate Coating
While your ice cream-topped cookies are firming up in the freezer, prepare your chocolate coating. Melt the chocolate melting wafers with the coconut oil. You can do this in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each, or using a double boiler over simmering water. Stir continuously until the chocolate is completely smooth and free of lumps. The coconut oil will help achieve a beautifully fluid consistency, perfect for dipping.
Step 4: Dip Your Bonbons
Working quickly and efficiently, remove only one or two bonbons from the freezer at a time to prevent them from softening too much. Gently drop a bonbon into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is completely submerged and coated. Use a fork or a dipping tool to carefully lift the bonbon out. Gently tap the fork against the side of the bowl a few times to allow any excess chocolate to drip off, ensuring a neat and even coating without thick puddles at the base. Place the coated bonbon back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 5: Apply Toppings Instantly
This step requires speed! Immediately after placing the dipped bonbon back on the baking sheet, sprinkle your chosen toppings (like mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or nuts) onto the still-wet chocolate. The chocolate will begin to harden almost instantly due to the cold ice cream, so don’t delay. If you’re decorating multiple bonbons, have your toppings ready and within arm’s reach.
Step 6: Final Freeze and Serve
Continue the dipping and topping process with the remaining bonbons, working in small batches to maintain the ice cream’s firmness. Once all your bonbons are beautifully coated and adorned, return the entire baking sheet to the freezer for at least another 30 minutes. This final chill allows the chocolate coating to fully set and ensures the bonbons are perfectly firm for serving. They are then ready to be enjoyed as a cool, crispy, and creamy delight!
Expert Tips for Perfect Ice Cream Bonbons
Achieving bonbon perfection is simple with a few smart techniques:
- Manage Temperature Wisely: The key to successful dipping is keeping your ice cream bonbons as cold as possible. Only remove 1-2 bonbons from the freezer at a time when you’re ready to dip. If the ice cream starts to soften, the chocolate won’t adhere properly, and your bonbon might lose its shape.
- Don’t Skimp on Chocolate: You might find you have some melted chocolate left over after dipping all your bonbons, and that’s perfectly normal. It’s better to have a generous amount of chocolate in your dipping bowl to ensure easy and complete coverage for each bonbon. This prevents scraping the bottom of the bowl and ensures a smooth, even coat.
- Optimal Storage: Once dipped and set, transfer your homemade ice cream bonbons to an airtight container. Layer them carefully, using parchment paper between layers if needed, to prevent them from sticking together. Store them in the freezer, where they will keep beautifully for up to several weeks.
- Serving Temperature: For the most enjoyable experience, allow bonbons that have been deeply frozen for an extended period to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving. This brief thaw time allows the ice cream to soften slightly, making them easier and more pleasant to bite into.
- Flavor Pairings: Get creative with your combinations! Vanilla ice cream with dark chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt offers a classic, sophisticated taste. Strawberry ice cream pairs beautifully with white chocolate, while mint chip is a natural match for dark or milk chocolate. The possibilities are endless!
More Refreshing Frozen Delights
If you’re a fan of chilly treats, explore these other fantastic recipes:
Pineapple Dole Whip Recipe
Refreshing Fruit Batido
Fried Ice Cream with Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Bowls
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Ice Cream Bonbons
Pin Recipe
Wafer cookies are topped with ice cream, then covered in chocolate to make these easy Ice Cream Bonbons at home. This is such an easy treat to keep in the freezer for when a sweet craving hits.
Ingredients
- 15 Nilla Wafers (or any plain thin cookies)
- 1 pint ice cream (any flavor)
- 14 oz chocolate melting wafers*
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (This makes clean up easier.)
- Top each cookie with a small scoop of ice cream. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate melting wafers according to the package directions. Stir in the coconut oil until smooth.
- Once the chocolate is melted, working with one bonbon at a time, dunk each into the chocolate to coat completely. Tap on the side of the bowl a few times to remove any excess chocolate, then place back on the baking sheet. Immediately top with chocolate chips. (The chocolate will set up fast, so you need to be quick.)
- Return the bonbons to the freezer for another 30 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes:
*You can use regular semi-sweet chocolate instead of melting wafers, but the wafers are generally easier to work with for dipping.
The yield may vary slightly from 15 bonbons, especially as ice cream container sizes can differ (e.g., 14 oz instead of a full pint). I used Haagen Dazs Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream, which was 14 ounces.
This recipe was adapted from Everyday with Rachael Ray, June/July 2008.
Nutrition information is provided as an estimate only. Various brands and product variations can alter the counts. Please use this nutritional information as a general guide. Calculations are based on using 12 oz of chocolate wafers, accounting for some leftover chocolate typically seen with dipping.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 bonbon, Calories: 223 kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 24g (8%), Protein: 3g (6%), Fat: 14g (22%), Saturated Fat: 9g (56%), Cholesterol: 22mg (7%), Sodium: 57mg (2%), Potassium: 34mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 20g (22%)