The only thing melting faster than ice cream in a waffle cone… is sweet, sweet summer itself. Blame the Heat Miser from The Year Without Santa Claus if you want, but it never sticks around long enough, which makes those refreshing, taste-filled moments even better.
The summer season is the kind of treasure we all know well. It isn’t just a vibe; it’s a built-in reason for guests to treat themselves a little more often. And for you, that means opportunity. Not the kind that requires a full dessert overhaul, but the kind that shows up in simple additions that feel seasonal, familiar… and maybe even a little golden!
I Scream, You Scream, ICE CREAM!
Research shows summer brings a shift in consumer behavior and spending habits. Guests stay longer, order more impulsively, and lean into items that feel refreshing and a little extra, in the best way.
That’s where ice cream and milkshakes come in. They work because they’re easy to drop in as seasonal LTOs, boost checks, and flex across your menu — from shareables to beverages to desserts — and ice cream is one of those rare menu items that can be anything you want it to be.
Start with a solid base like Nature’s Best Dairy® Ice Cream, then take it somewhere unexpected. My current fixation? A charred pineapple sundae (main character moment) with caramel, toasted coconut, and OREO® Cookie Pieces on top — sweet, a little smoky, and surprisingly perfect together.
Or lean into something more savory-sweet, like a brown butter (trending!) cornbread ice cream topped with blackberry jam and honey for a twist that feels right at home, yet elevated, for summer.
Top It Like It’s Hot
Small additions can go a long way. Have a little fun with it — because the right toppings are where things really start to stand out, pop, and deliver!
Something as simple as cookie pieces can instantly upgrade a shake, sundae, or baked dessert with added texture and flavor. And cookies like GOLDEN OREO pieces bring a delicious vanilla-forward profile that pairs easily with fruit, caramel, and classic dairy builds — making them easy to top with what you’re already doing.
Cookie-ing Up Something New
Cookies are one of those add-ons that can make multiple menu items feel new. It’s all about using fan-favorite components in more than one place. When one topping can work across several applications, it opens the door for simple seasonal features and endless LTO potential.
Think a Golden Oreo Butter Pecan Milkshake, layered with cookie pieces, candied pecans, and ooey-gooey vanilla ice cream. It hits that nostalgic sweet spot, with a little crunch and a creamy, double vanilla-twist finish that just works.
Take that same ingredient, and incorporate it into Golden Oreo Cake Donuts, where it shows up in the batter, coating, and garnish for a blended finish. It’s an easy add to a brunch board, a standout bakery case item, or even a dessert-for-dinner combo as a sweet-and-savory burger built with the donut as the bun, plus crispy bacon, and a touch of heat or jam to balance it out.
Or turn it into a full dessert moment with a GOLDEN OREO crumb-crusted semifreddo or panna cotta, layered with caramel and a touch of citrus to keep it balanced, then finished with whipped cream and a torched meringue or brûléed banana — something that gets noticed the second it hits the table.
Because when summer shows up, the best thing you can do is give guests something worth making time for — one scoop, swirl, or golden bite at a time.
**Content provided in collaboration with Mondelēz International.