Ice Cream Crunch Bars! Any ice cream you liked topped with a toasty crispy coconut, crispy rice, cashew topping. Easy to make and so delicious!
These Ice Cream Crunch Bars are one of our new favorite summer desserts. They are so good we’ve been calling them I Scream Bars!
Part of the reason I love these ice cream bars is because they are so easy to make. The topping is made of crispy rice cereal, cashews and coconut. The ice cream inside is any kind you like! The flavor of these reminds of me fried ice cream. These make a great treat for parties!
I like these best with dairy-free ice cream (I like So Delicious Creamy Cashew Vanilla), but they are also amazing with chocolate ice cream or even strawberry. Just use an ice cream that doesn’t have big chunks so the bars are even. Here’s a video on how to make them!
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Ice Cream Crunch Bars
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted cashews, chopped
- 2 cups crispy rice cereal, be sure it's gluten-free
- 1 cup sweetened, shredded coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 pints ice cream, see note above
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Set out the ice cream for 30 minutes to allow it to soften.
- Place the cashews, crispy rice cereal, coconut, salt, brown sugar, and butter on a baking sheet. Toss everything to combine evenly. Bake for 15 minutes total, stirring every 5 minutes for even toasting. Watch the mixture carefully the last 5 minutes so it doesn't burn. The coconut should be nice and toasted.
- Allow the mixture to cool. Place the softened ice cream in a bowl and stir until smooth.
- Line an 8x8 inch pan with foil. Place half the crunch mixture on the bottom of pan. Add the ice cream in 4-5 dollaps over top, then carefully smooth. Add the rest of the crunch mixture on top and press slightly to smooth.
- Chill the bars for at least 6 hours until set. Slice and serve. Enjoy! The bars will keep for 1 week in the freezer.
Recipe Notes
Nature's Path Brown Crispy Rice Cereal.
(Just a note Rice Crispys are not gluten-free because they contain malt syrup.) You can use any ice cream you like here! My favorite is So Delicious Creamy Cashew Vanilla to keep these dairy-free. I've also made these with this homemade ice cream and they were unreal. Any kind you like, as long as there are not big chunky ingredients, will work.
This looks amazing! I’ve made some decent dairy-free ice creams with gelatin (chocolate brownie batter is my current favorite), but I’m intrigued to try your vegan chocolate peanut butter ice cream with cocoa butter–that might be my new favorite!
These look amazing! My favorite frozen treat is a Mississippi Mud Pie that my mom makes, it’s incredible!
Oh! These look so dreamy! I’ll have to try that So Delicious variety. I’ve loved every variety so far, but haven’t tried the cashew one yet. Caramel cashew ice cream is my fave.
These look so easy! Can’t wait to make them.
These look delicious!! I’ve been wanting (needing) to make ice cream bars! Haven’t had them in so long!
My favorite frozen treat is definitely ice cream! duhh! I love moose tracks!
I absolutely adore mango frozen yoghurt oh my gosh, swoon!
I love ice cream the best
My favorite frozen treat is rocky road ice cream.
I love homemade vanilla ice cream topped with fresh strawberries. These bars look delicious!!
I like fudgesicles the most
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popsicles
I absolutely love fudgesicles!
My favorite frozen treat is definitely ice cream. I like a mocha/coffee flavor with some type of chocolate (brownie or cookie dough).
I love pineapple frozen yogurt.
I love So Delicious Mint Chip coconut milk frozen dessert.
Homemade popsicles!
I love frozen yogurt! Always a favorite at my houseb
I love watermelon smoothies!!
I love ice cream sandwiches!!
I love sorbets and ice cream
I love peanut butter and chocolate ice cream.
Oh goodness I do like Klondike bars.
This ice cream social is such a fun idea! I always love finding new GF blogs to read, and this list looks pretty fantastic. Your ice cream bars look delicious (like the rest of your recipes)!
Hi Erin. This recipe looks beautiful! I’m glad you recommend cereal brands other than Rice Krispies. I’m not entering the giveaway because I already have two of these ice cream makers, but I wanted to stop by and say hello since I’m participating in the event too.
My favorite frozen treat would be ice cream, but these crunch bars could be the next runner up. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway, Erin.
i love mango smoothies
I just bought an ice cream maker tonight, so now I am frantically pinning ice cream recipes! Can’t wait to use it!
I LOVE ice cream! Mint chocolate chip is my favorite!
i love mango bars
Favorite treat is frozen yogurt any flavor
These crunchy, creamy nutty summer treats look great!
My favorite frozen dessert? No brainer… ICE CREAM!
i love strawberry ice cream
Chocolate ice cream! With more chocolate, like fudge in it.
My favorite frozen treat is frozen yogurt!
My favorite frozen treat is ICE CREAM! Thanks for the great recipe!
I love chocolate ice cream with peanut butter topping!
Thank you for posting something that has interchangeable ingredients and dairy free options! It’s certainly challenging at times trying to find sweet treats that are still dairy free. All of the gluten free bloggers and ladies help me out ALL THE TIME! Thank you! Can’t wait to try these out with possibly something from EnjoyLife!
Such a great idea and they have a fun, kinda sophisticated flavor.