14 times we simply added ice cream

Here's the scoop!

Argan oil chocolate brownie with orange and cinnamon ice cream. Source: Tammi Kwok

First up, no one is suggesting that ice cream isn't a treat all on its own. Even a single scoop of plain ol' vanilla is enough to hit the dessert bullseye.

But add that scoop to the side of a crumble, tart, cake or pie and the only thing we'll be worried about hitting is seconds. Ice cream adds extra sweetness, creaminess and all-around coolness to any dessert you can name.

So next time you're rolling out a sweet treat, make it à la mode.

Crumble time

When crumble becomes a warm weather option. Source: Chris Chen

Simply add ice cream to anything crumble for a one-way ticket to dessert heaven. The recipe above is for a rhubarb and apple crisp with a lush cinnamon ice cream, but any combo will do:

Ale hail

Talk about a melting moment. Source: China Squirrel

There's nothing wrong with a stand-alone, brandy-infused dark chocolate cake. Nothing at all. But add a generous scoop of ale ice cream and we're talking booze pairing of the year.

Shaved ice cream

This how you smash the summer heat. Source: Billy Law

You're right, shaved ice probably doesn't need a scoop of vanilla on top. But boy is it grateful.

Always pie

Fact: the more ice-cream on your pie, the happier you'll be. Source: Alan Benson

Go ahead and serve your apple pie with cream... we'll be over here watching our ice cream along the pastry like a joyful kid on snow day.

Sweet side

This classic family treat never gets old. Source: Taste le Tour with Gabriel Gaté

Pommes au four is a favourite French dessert, almost always served à la mode. There's just something about apples and ice cream...

Tatin up

Legend as it that tarte tatin was invented by mistake when a hotelier tried to disguise a burnt apple tart. Extra ice-cream is also good for such emergencies. Source: Andy Baker

The fancy version of pommes au four is surely the tarte tatin. This one has a cinnamon ice cream side because there's also something about apples and cinnamon...

Raisin things up

Feel free to lick the screen. Source: Lottie Hedley, The Great Australian Baking Book

Still on tartes tatin, just thought we'd mention that rum and raisin ice cream is also an exceptional accompaniment. Especially when your tatin adds banana.

Let's split

Salted peanut honey wafers make this split one worth sticking around for. Source: Alan Benson

Where would a banana split be without ice cream? Very split indeed.

Melted moment

The kind of dessert with an exceptional effort-to-satisfaction ratio. Source: Kitti Gould

A wonderful chocolate shortcake is served warm so the vanilla ice cream melts right through. Pro tip: this method turns any cake into a memorable dessert. Try it with:

Sticky friends

The mushrooms help make the pudding dense, moist and rich. Source: Australian Mushrooms

Naturally, a pudding is well-accompanied by a vanilla ice cream sidekick. This particular sticky date pudding is made with mushrooms, so it's quirky as well as good-looking.

Mallow spin

100 per cent ready to lose an arm to this. Source: Bake With Anna Olson

Here's a delish twist on a standard chocolate lava pudding - marshmallow ice cream. Now that's an explosive combination!

Orange smother

The volume of ice-cream here is commendable. Source: Tammi Kwok

A brownie is great and all, but add a bit of orange and things brighten up considerably. Even better if it's orange and cinnamon ice cream piled so high you'll need a Sherpa to reach the top.

AM twist

Not to alarm you, but a few healthy apples may have slipped into this dish... Source: Mark Roper

What you're seeing here is standard brekkie fare: maple syrup tart with pancake ice cream. What's that? Of course, you can eat it for breakfast!

Passion project

A twist on traditional Eastern European pierogi inspired by the Indonesian combination of chocolate and cheese. Source: SBS Food

The only thing that could make Nutella and mozzarella pierogi more delicious is passionfruit ice cream. Thank the stars for a fusion of flavours. Thank them again for wonderful world of ice cream.