This Simple Hack Will Make You Rethink How You Eat Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

Ah, Ben & Jerry’s. The mere mention of their iconic pints can send shivers of anticipation down any ice cream lover's spine. But let’s face it—those delightful pints, while scrumptious, often come with the peril of overindulgence. The charming phrase "good things come in small packages" might be true, but when it comes to pints of Ben & Jerry’s, it can be a bit of a double-edged sword. A pint of this super-premium ice cream is supposed to be enjoyed in moderation, but how easy is it to stick to just one serving when you’re digging into that creamy goodness straight from the carton?

Phish Food Ben & Jerry's Photo By: Ben & Jerry's

Here’s a little secret: A single serving of Ben & Jerry’s is just a quarter of a pint. Yet, with the pint being wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, eyeballing that perfect quarter can be trickier than it sounds. But what if I told you there’s a genius hack that not only makes portion control a breeze but also turns your favorite pint into delightful ice cream bars? Ready for a game-changer?

Grab four wooden popsicle sticks and a sharp knife—because we’re about to elevate your ice cream game. As shown in the Instagram post below, flip the pint carton upside down so that the lid is now facing the counter. Using your knife, cut through the ice cream and cardboard in one swift motion, slicing the carton into four equal sections. Now, carefully turn the carton back to its upright position, remove the lid, and insert a popsicle stick into each segment. Voilà! You've got yourself four perfect homemade ice cream bars. Before you dive into your frozen masterpiece, though, remember to stash the extra bars back in the freezer unless you’ve got some eager friends ready to join in the indulgence.

But why stop there? If you’re looking to take your ice cream experience to the next level, why not coat your homemade bars with a fun and delicious candy shell? Remember the universal rule of state fair foods: Anything on a stick is automatically more enjoyable, and this rings true for ice cream too. For a delectable candy coating, dip your bars into a hardening ice cream topping like Smucker’s Magic Shell. Available in flavors like chocolate, caramel, and even whimsical “unicorn” (which tastes like a white cupcake and features colorful bits), it’s a surefire way to add an extra layer of sweetness and crunch. Hershey’s also offers a variety of shell toppings, including chocolate, Reese’s, and Heath bar flavors.

For an extra dash of creativity, roll your bars in sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, cookie crumbs, or chopped nuts. The combinations are endless: Chunky Monkey with crushed banana chips, strawberry cheesecake with graham cracker crumbs, or Cherry Garcia with chopped almonds. Feeling adventurous? Transform an Americone Dreamsicle by rolling it in crushed sugar or waffle cone crumbs for the ultimate deconstructed frozen treat.

This simple yet brilliant Ben & Jerry’s hack not only provides portion control but also adds a fun, personalized twist to your ice cream indulgence. So next time you grab a pint, remember: with just a few steps and a bit of creativity, you can turn your favorite ice cream into a batch of delightful, shareable bars. Enjoy!