The Real Reason You Should Add Coffee Grounds To Your Ice Cream

Coffee ice cream is like the dessert version of your favorite cup of joe. No strangers to a typical cup of coffee, sugar and milk are once again paired with the robust flavor of coffee in this well-loved sweet treat. Adoration for coffee ice cream has led to a whole gamut of fun flavors. These days, shoppers can treat the ice cream aisle like it's a cafe menu, choosing the bean, brew, and even the coarseness of the grind. For fans of cafe mocha, there's bound to be a coffee ice cream with chocolate chips, chunks, or swirls (via The Mercury News).

If you truly love coffee ice cream, though, why not make your own? Traditional recipes for coffee ice cream, like this version from Simply Recipes, call for coffee beans steeped in a slurry of milk, cream, and sugar before breaking out the ice cream maker — but there's actually an easier way to get your fix. Lifehacker suggests adding leftover coffee grounds to the ice cream that's already hanging out in your freezer for a caffeinated, decadent treat, complete with full coffee flavor.

Adding coffee grounds to ice cream is the perfect solution for when you're craving a caffeinated dessert and can't make it to the store. Lifehacker recommends sprinkling a pinch of leftover grounds from your morning brew over a bowl of vanilla ice cream — or even chocolate — for coffee flavor, yes, but also texture. The grinds, in a small dose, add a delightful crunch. Velvety ice cream benefits from the foil of a textural element (via Food 52). Why else are sprinkles even a thing?

According to Lifehacker, the courser the grind, the better. If your coffee grinder has variable settings, stay away from smooth! Unless that's your preference. In that case, maybe try a dusting of espresso for rich coffee taste without the added texture. If you opt for instant coffee, beware that it will melt on contact due to the fact that it's water-soluble. The flavor, however, will still permeate your lackluster ice cream and elevate it enough for coffee ice cream connoisseurs.