Doctored Ice Cream

1 pint vanilla or chocolate ice cream

Add-ins (see note)

Open the pint of ice cream and microwave on high power for about 30 seconds. Timing will vary widely depending on the power of your microwave. You will need to watch this very carefully. It’s best to work in 10-second intervals, checking the ice cream between each. You are aiming for soft enough to mix with a spoon, but not melted.

Transfer the softened ice cream to a large bowl and add the ingredients of your choice. Mix well, then transfer to a quart-size container with a tight lid. Freeze until solid, about 1 to 2 hours.

Serves six.

Awesome add-ins: Dried cherries and broken chocolate-covered pretzels; crumbled chewy molasses cookies and apricot jam; crushed banana chips, mini marshmallows and mini chocolate chips; almond extract and chunks of marzipan; chopped macadamia nuts, toasted coconut and dried pineapple; chopped salted peanuts, caramel sauce and crushed chocolate sandwich cookies; cubed pound cake and chopped fresh strawberries

J.M. Hirsch, Associated Press