No Melt Microwave Popcorn Ice Cream Treats

Take gourmet to a whole new level!  Dazzel your guest with this Table Appealing, Guest Wowing, Fun Eating,  No Melt Ice Cream Treat!  
This recipe is quick to Make, Easy to do, and Good to eat. 

Step 1: Things You Will Need for the Sundae

It is very beneficial to read entire directions before buying the ingredients and making this dish.

Ingredients:

Butter for hands OR Pam.

Raspberry Jell-O (small package.) You may use what ever flavor you like though.   

Pop corn.  Regular popped popcorn ( remove hard uncooked kernels, (You don't want to chip a tooth.)

Cool Whip , NOTE: I used Cool whip but Marshmallow cream wood be much better!

Sweetened condensed milk.
In case you don't know what it is,   http://www.eaglebrand.com/products/SweetenedCondensedMilk.aspx

Magic shell, is usually in the ice cream section of the store next to the toppings.

Here is a link on how to make your own with just 3 ingredients.  Magic shell is about 5 dollars for a small bottle. https://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Magic-Shell-Recipe/

Cherries in a small jar. Try the ice cream section of the store or canned fruit section.

Crushed pecans for garnish.

Clear dessert dish.  The small dessert dish was easier and the outcome was better than a wine glass as pictured.

I thought it was easier to hand mold the balls rather  than use an ice cream scooper because you need to make some small balls for the smaller part of the dessert dish

Wet wipes ( opitional)

NOTE:  This treat is a sticky treat so for a party I would have wet wipes available at each setting.  Place any  left over balls in a clear bowl for finger treats.   You might be able to use melted white chocolate to resemble the whip cream and then top with the nuts and a cherry to create a more eater friendly treat.  You might even try Hershey's kisses for the top and make a small indention into the ice cream ball to set the cherry.   

Step 2: Making the Sundae

Make sure the Magic shell is at room temperature before using.
Place the dessert dish in the freezer while you make the popcorn.  Do not season the popcorn.

Set the popcorn aside.

Remove the dessert dish from the freezer and carefully pour the Magic shell into the dessert dish,  lining the inside of the dish to resemble an ice cream sundae. You do this by placing the tip of the bottle in the dish and lightly coat the bottom and then as you are turning the dish make a spiral around the glass.  This will take some practice. It can be too thin or too thick so you have to find that happy medium.
Place the dish in the freezer to set the Magic shell. 

Pour Raspberry Jell-o into a microwaveable mixing bowl. 

Add the condensed milk and stir very well. The mixture will have a grainy texture from the sugar in the jello.  It might be beneficial to add just a tiny bit of hot water to the dry Jell-O stirring it until the sugar dissolves. Just a tablespoon or so if you add too much it won't set up good.   I think the grainy texture was fine though.  Everyone will add their twist to this recipe after they make it once.  The sky is the limit with this dish.  A salty seasoning,  nut mixture,  M and M's or what ever else you can imagine  would set this sundae off! 

Heat the Jell-O milk mixture in the microwave for about 30 seconds.  Remove and stir  again.

Put back in the microwave for about 15 seconds and stir again.  Set aside.

Pour this mixture over the popped popcorn mixing well. Allow to cool slightly so you won't burn your hands while forming the ice cream balls. 

Form into different size balls to resemble a sundae.  Remember they are not soft so they don't form to the dish like real ice cream.  Set ice cream balls aside. 


remove the dessert dish from the freezer and carefully smear Cool whip in-between the areas of the Magic shell.  This will give the ice cream  a more realistic appearance.  Return dish to the freezer long enough to set the Cool whip.  

Prepare the sundae as you would an ice cream sundae allowing only long enough to chill because it will get soggy.  Make only enough to serve people who are eating it then.  ( Don't chill overnight or it will be soggy.) 



Place the smallest ball into the dish first and lightly coat with Magic shell.  Repeat with the larger balls for the last layer.   Layer again with the Magic shell. 

Garnish with crushed pecan.

Top with a cherry. 

Serve chilled

Step 3: Things You Will Need for the Banana Split

Ingredients:

Butter for hands OR Pam.

Strawberry and Pineapple  Jell-O  (small packages), for the traditional banana split.  We did not like the pineapple Jell-O flavor so I would reccomend an alternative such as, Raspberry,  but you may use what ever flavor you like. 

Pop corn,  Regular popped popcorn (unseasoned.)  ( Remove hard uncooked kernels, (You don't want to chip a tooth.)

Cool Whip , canned whipped cream would be easier to work with, but it won't hold it's shape as well.

Sweetened condensed milk.
In case you don't know what it is. http://www.eaglebrand.com/products/SweetenedCondensedMilk.aspx

Magic shell, is usually in the ice cream section of the store next to the toppings.

Here is a link on how to make your own with just 3 ingredients. Magic shell is about 5 dollars for a small bottle. http://https://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Magic-Shell-Recipe/

Cherries in a small bottle. Try the ice cream section of the store or canned fruit section.

Crushed pecans for garnish.

Banana one for each serving. 

Banana split dessert dish.

Step 4: Preparing the Banana Split

Make sure the Magic shell is at room temperature before using.
Place the dessert dish in the freezer while you make the popcorn. Do not season the popcorn.
Set the popcorn aside.

You may make the ice cream balls days ahead of serving but adding the topping and placing in the dish should be done at time of serving and only make enough for the attending guest. 

Cut the banana in half and place in freezer until frozen. 

Remove the dessert dish from the freezer and carefully pour the Magic shell into the dessert dish lining the inside of the dish to resemble a banana split.  This will take some practice. It can be too thin or too thick,  so you have to find that happy medium.
Place the dish in the freezer to set the Magic shell.

Place the strawberry and pineapple Jell-O into 2 seperate microwaveble bowls.  Add 1/2 of  the condensed milk to each bowl and stir very well.

Heat in the microwave for about 15 seconds intervals (until warm.)  Remove and stir again.

Put back in the microwave for about 15 seconds and stir again. Set aside.

Pour this mixture over the popped popcorn mixing very well. Allow it to cool slightly so you won't burn your hands while forming the ice cream balls.

Form into 3 nice  size balls to resemble a banana split. 

Set ice cream balls aside.

Remove the dessert dish from the freezer and carefully smear Cool whip in-between the areas of the Magic shell. This will give the ice cream a more realistic appearance. Return dish to the freezer long enough to set the Cool whip.

Remove the banana from the freezer and coat entire banana with Magic shell and place in the freezer until the shell sets. 

Remove from the freezer and line the sides with each slice. 

Place small balls into the dish.    Lightly coat the tops with the  Magic shell.

Top with a dallop of Cool whip.

Garnish with crushed pecan.

Top with cherries.

Serve chilled.

Step 5: Another Level of Gourmet Popcorn

It is fun to experiment with seasonings to make gourmet popcorn. My families favorite is to sprinkle Nutritional Yeast flakes over popcorn before serving. It can be found at Health food stores. It comes in granules but we think the flakes are a better choice. It gives popcorn a buttery,  nutty, cheesy flavor without all the fat.


Reading the links below is well worth the effort.
Nutritional yeast flakes are a great addition to many side dishes and it has a number of  nutritional benefits.


To see the yeast flakes click here:  http://www.thecatalog.com/2455.html. 

To see it's nutritional value click here:  http://www.bulkfoods.com/yeast.htm. 

Step 6: Make Your Own Popcorn, Save Money

Several years ago I was visiting my sister and she told me that the microwave pre-bagged popcorn have some unhealthy ingredients in it.  I thought I would share that with everyone. If it would be a concern to you, do a search about it.

My sister uses a microwave popcorn bowl that works wonderfully. It can be found at Target.

Here is an instructable link that teaches how to make your own microwave popcorn bags without all the added ingredients. It would be another good choice.  //://https://www.instructables.com/id/Microwave-Popcorn%3A-Home-made,-cheap-and-easy/.

Step 7: Final Thoughts

My family loved this treat.  However the next time I make it,  I am trying white chocolate to put on the top instead of whip cream,  simply because I think it will be  less sticky and easier to eat. It won't get soggy either.   I will also be making it different ways using these pictured items.