8 Ideas for Ice Cream Cones

Our favorite way to use ice cream cones is to fill them with ice cream. Given how much we love ice cream, that shouldn’t be a surprise. But cones are delicious too, so we searched for other ways to enjoy them. Check out these eight fun and tasty ideas for turning sugar cones, cake cones, and waffle cones into hot and cool treats.

1. Cupcake Cones

Mix up a batch of cake batter. Instead of pouring it into paper liners in a cupcake pan, use cake cones. Add batter to each cone, and set them upright in a baking pan. A cookie sheet, jelly roll pan, or cupcake pan can work, as long as you balance them carefully. You can also use a mini muffin pan, which has smaller openings and less risk of cones toppling over.

Once your cupcake cones are fully baked, let them cool. Then frost them just as you would decorate a batch of cupcakes. We love this idea because you don’t have to mess with paper liners. Just eat the entire cupcake, cone and all!

2. Cheesecake Cones

Similar to cupcake cones, simply bake cheesecake filling inside a sugar cone. These treats will be fun to top also. Try chocolate or caramel syrup, chocolate or toffee chips, or even fresh fruit. Again, let the cones cool completely, and you can even pop them in the refrigerator for a bit.

3. Cannoli Cones

Take dessert up a notch without much effort, thanks to this quick and easy variation on traditional cannoli. Cannoli shells can be made by hand or bought at the grocery store. You can also use sugar cones in place of cannoli shells to speed up the dessert-making process. The filling comes together in a snap; blend ricotta and sugar with whatever add-ins you like, such as chocolate chips or chopped pistachios. Your best bet is to pipe the filling into the cones with a pastry bag and tip, but you can spoon it into the cones too.

4. PB&J Cones

We love this fun snack idea that you can serve to kids, or set out as part of a brunch or dessert buffet. Add layers of peanut butter and jelly to cake cones. Mix it up with crunchy and creamy peanut butter, and different flavors of jam and jelly. Try using honey, adding a dash of cinnamon, or even topping with a fresh strawberry or grape.

5. Yogurt Parfait Cones

We’ve written before about yogurt parfaits. This fun idea is best suited to a waffle cone, where you’ll have more room to layer yogurt and fruit.

Mix up the yogurt flavors and the types of fruit you use based on what’s in season. You can add a layer of granola too, or crush another waffle cone for some crunch. Then finish your snack by eating the cone itself.

6. Milkshake Cones

We love milkshakes just as much as we love ice cream. Get out the cake cones again for another fun idea that’s perfect for a dessert bar. Whip up a batch of milkshakes, and pour them into cones. You may want to set out pitchers of milkshakes and allow guests to pour their own, so the cones don’t get soggy and start to leak.

7. Campfire Cones

Campfire cooking can be even better than cooking at home on the stove. We love s’mores in theory, but they don’t usually come together as well as we’d like. Try adding marshmallows and chocolate chips to a waffle cone. Then wrap it in foil and heat it up in the oven, on the grill, or over a campfire. You can mix up the add-ins too; try peanut butter, MnMs, caramels, and even fruit. Remember to let your cone cool down a bit before unwrapping and enjoying -- the chocolate will be especially hot.

8. Cone Pie Crust

Finally, we’ve written before about ways to shake up pie crust, and sugar cones are one of a few delicious ways to do that. Crush the cones and combine them with melted butter. Then press the mixture into a pie plate or springform pan, just as you would with a graham cracker crust.