After a mini party shoot left a few tiny ice cream cones around the studio, I started brainstorming fun ways to use them. The result: melted ice cream cone donuts. These are not real ice cream — the “scoop” is a frosted donut hole and the “melted” top is donut icing shaped to look like dripping ice cream. They’re whimsical, simple to assemble, and perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients:
– 5 to 7 plain donuts (glazed works well too)
– 5 to 7 mini ice cream cones
– 5 to 7 plain or glazed donut holes
– 3/4 cup powdered sugar
– 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 tablespoon warm milk
– Sprinkles
– Piping bag
– Toothpicks (optional)
– Cherries and/or fondant (to make mini cherries)
Directions:
1. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, and warm milk until you have a smooth, pipeable icing.
2. Place about one-quarter of the icing into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Dip the top of each donut into the remaining icing. Then use the piping bag to draw small drips around the edge of the frosting to mimic melting ice cream.
3. Frost the donut holes with the remaining icing and immediately set one onto each donut, slightly off-center. Add a bit of extra icing to smooth any seams if needed. Top each donut hole with a mini ice cream cone to form the “scoop.”
4. Press sprinkles around the base of the cone and over roughly half of the donut to resemble scattered toppings. To keep the cone upright while the icing sets, prop it gently against a glass or a small box; toothpicks can help stabilize if necessary.
5. To make tiny fondant cherries, roll small balls of red fondant and insert half of a real cherry stem into each. Brush a thin coat of red food coloring mixed with a few drops of almond extract for a richer color and let the cherries dry for about an hour before placing them on the donuts.
Photos by Studio DIY | Recipe by Theresa Rountree for Studio DIY
That tiny fondant cherry really steals the show, doesn’t it? These melted ice cream cone donuts are a playful way to elevate any ice cream social or summer party.
For more donut projects, explore other creative ideas and recipes.