Keeping Cool…On a Budget!

At least once each summer, I treat myself to a Dairy Queen banana split. And each time, I try not to gasp at the “new” price . In 2017, a DQ banana split costs $7.00 (CDN). Like everything else, Dairy Queen treats have risen in price.

Glancing at the menu board, I mentally calculated the minimum and maximum amounts a family of four could easily spend on a Dairy Queen excursion. If they all selected banana splits, the cost would be $28.00 (CDN). Four small dipped cones would ring in at $12.60 (CDN). These expenses could add up if summer temperatures soar and humidity levels become unbearable.

While there aren’t too many substitutes for a DQ® Peanut Buster® Parfait, Buster® Bar or Blizzard®, it is possible to create reasonable facsimiles of DQ sundaes and banana splits at home.

 Here are ten of my favorite homemade sundaes:

Oranges ‘n’ Sherbet: Place two scoops of orange sherbet in a dish, cover with orange juice, and decorate with slices of mandarin oranges.

Vanilla Vamp: Place two scoops of vanilla ice cream in a dish, cover with chocolate syrup, sprinkle with chopped nuts, and top with a maraschino cherry.

Coco Delight: Place one scoop of vanilla and one scoop of chocolate ice cream in a dish, cover with whipped cream, and sprinkle with toasted shredded coconut.

Maple Delight: Place two scoops of vanilla ice cream in a dish, cover with maple syrup, sprinkle with granola, and decorate with shredded coconut.

Caffeine Boost: Place two scoops of vanilla ice cream in a dish, cover with strong black coffee, top with whipped cream, and decorate with grated chocolate.

Strawberry Dream: Place two scoops of strawberry ice cream in a dish, cover with strawberry sauce, and top with whole fresh strawberries.

Fruity Vanilla: Place two scoops of vanilla ice cream in a dish and cover with fruit cocktail in syrup. Add whipped cream and top with a maraschino cherry.

Hawaiian Delight: Place two scoops of frozen vanilla yogurt in a dish and surround with pineapple and kiwi slices. Top with coconut.

Superfood Sundae: Place two scoops of frozen chocolate yogurt in a dish, surround with blueberries or blackberries, and top with chopped almonds, and ground flax seed or chia seeds.

Banana Split: Cut a banana in half lengthwise and place in a dish. Cover with any of the above sundae recipes.

Note: If you have dietary concerns, substitute frozen yogurt, fresh fruits, and chopped nuts for the ice cream and toppings.

Any other suggestions for cool treats…Please share!

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10 Comments Add yours

  1. Have you tried half a banana on a stick? Dip the banana in melted chocolate chips or roll it in crushed nuts and freeze.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Yum! Potassium and endorphins on a stick. Thanks Catherine! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  2. An old favorite is homemade popsicles. We used to use Koolaid for ours, but since the grandson has TD1 we make them with yogurt now. Cool and refreshing 🙂 Another one I love is floats. Take a scoop of vanilla ice cream and place it in a glass then add your favorite soda over the top slowly, it foams!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Jacquie, I remember the Koolaid popsicles…cherry was my favorite. The float sounds delicious. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Kathryn Jane says:

      Root beer floats! Among my all-time favorite things… from the past of course, but I can still smell that blend of vanilla and root beer, and the taste, yum!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Ooh, now I want one, lol. We lived right behind a drive-in A & W growing up and scrimped and saved our pennies to go there for the floats 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Kathryn Jane says:

    I used to make a delish and most simple/healthy milkshake…. half cup of frozen berries in the blender with skim milk and a drop of vanilla. Simple, milk + frozen berries.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Great recipes…love that vanilla flavor. Thanks Kathryn! 🙂

      Like

  4. Oh, Joannie, I’ve been craving some ice cream. I’m very addictied and do best if I just don’t ever eat any, but all your descriptions have my mouth watering. We’ll be on vacation on the second week of August and I’m looking forward to splurging on ice cream. I’ve shared. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Marsha, I’m like you and have to watch myself around ice cream. But I can’t resist the occasional splurge during the summer months. Enjoy your August vacation. 🙂

      Like

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