July is National Ice Cream Month, and what better month to celebrate this unparalleled frozen treat? Not only does the hot weather make ice cream the perfect dessert for any occasion, this is also the peak season for many varieties of fruit-one of ice cream's natural companions. This month, whether you eat it by the bowlful or the coneful, or use it in some new and exciting recipe, it's time to rediscover the singular pleasure of ice cream!

Many people consider a wedge of pie or a slice of cake to be incomplete without a big scoop of ice cream next to it. For others, the world's best dessert is a heaping dish of ice cream covered in chocolate sauce, nuts, whipped cream, and a cherry. Still others prefer to accompany their ice cream with simple and refined preparations such as crepes, Bananas Foster or Cherries Jubilee.

If you're celebrating a summer birthday in your house, why not delight everyone with something out-of-the-ordinary: an ice cream cake! It's simpler than it sounds. All you need to do is bake your favorite cake recipe-from scratch or from a mix; it doesn't matter-in two rounds. While the cake is cooling, take one quart of ice cream out of the freezer to soften. (Be careful not to leave the ice cream out TOO long-it should be spreadable, but not runny!) While the cake is cooling and the ice cream is softening, clear a flat spot in the freezer large enough to fit a plate with a cake on it. Now place one cake round on a freezer-safe plate. Carefully spread the ice cream over the cake in an even layer that reaches all the way to the edges of the cake. Top the ice cream with the second layer of the cake, and immediately place it in the spot you cleared in the freezer. Let the whole thing set up for about an hour, then remove it and frost it quickly. Place the cake back in the freezer until party time. When you're ready to serve it, take the cake out of the freezer about 10 minutes early so the ice cream will be soft enough to cut. To make things even easier, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water to slice the cake. This special but trouble-free treat is sure to become an instant classic in your house!

For another super-easy dessert that everyone will flip for, set up an ice cream sundae bar complete with an assortment of fresh, seasonal fruit, gooey chocolate or butterscotch topping, toasted nuts, crushed cookies, and whipped cream. Don't forget the cherries!

Still craving ice cream? We've got lots more cool ideas for you!

Spectacular Sundaes!
• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Hot Fudge Sauce
• Chocolate Bar Fondue
• Supreme Strawberry Topping
• Toffee Sauce

Piece of Cake!
• Blizzard Cake
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Cake
• Rainbow Sherbet Cake
• Ice Cream Tiramisu Cake
• Grandma Betty's Ice Cream Cake

Easy as Pie!
• Southern Comfort Ice Cream Pie
• Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie I
• Ma's Premium Ice Cream Pie
• Luscious Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie
• Coffee Liqueur Ice Cream Pie
• Tin Roof Sundae Pie