With the invention of in-freezer ice makers, ice cube trays have become somewhat a relic of the past. We’re here to tell you that this inexpensive kitchen item might be one of the most useful tools you haven’t been using.
The tray offers a perfect size for mini desserts or portioned out sauces, oils, and ingredients - not to mention the uniquely-flavoured ice cubes you can make to spruce up your favourite drinks.
Prevent Waste
Your recipe calls for a tablespoon of tomato paste, but you only have a 6-ounce can. Put the rest in your ice cube tray and after it’s frozen, move the tomato paste cubes to a labelled and dated freezer bag to use later.
You can do the same with red wine, leftover chicken broth, bacon fat, buttermilk, or even separated egg yolks! Not going to use all of the fresh herbs from your garden? Infuse them with oil and freeze them for future use. Batches of pesto or marinara can also be portioned out and frozen into ice cubes.
Flavoured Iced Cubes
Try these flavoured ice cube ideas the next time you want to enhance your drinks!
- Leftover coffee for iced coffee (substituting regular ice cubes for coffee ice cubes won’t water-down your drink!)
- Add ice cubes to a whipped Dalgona coffee for a caffeinated treat
- Chocolate for milk chocolate
- Ice cream cubes for root beer floats
- Fruit juice to put into sparkling water
- Infused ice cubes with lemon, lime, or berries for flavoured water
Bite-Sized Desserts
Is there anything better than chocolate chip cookies straight out of the oven? Next time you make cookie dough, put the extra dough into your ice cube tray - this way, you’ll have perfectly portioned out cookies ready to pop into the oven whether you want one just for yourself or are willing to share. You can do the same thing with brownie mix and make brownie bites. Just make sure to thaw before baking.
You can also try these delicious ideas:
- These Cheesecake Bites are super cute and tasty.
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Sweet Puffed Pastry Pockets with marshmallow, chocolate, crumbled graham cracker, banana, and raspberry jam.
Appetizers
For perfectly-portioned appetizers, try these:
- Baked Brie Bites
- Four Flavour Ice Cube Tray Appetizers
- Make-Your-Own Pizza Bites
Smoothies
Having a smoothie is an excellent way of getting your daily dose of veggies and fruit! Why not make it easy and prepare some great ingredients ahead of time? You can freeze yogurt, kale, or spinach to make quick healthy additions to your smoothies and shakes.
Baby Food
Making your own baby food can save money - plus, it can be a healthier option since you have more control over the ingredients your little one is eating. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on a fancy baby food system - ice cube trays work perfectly to freeze homemade baby food. This WebMD article walks you through benefits, safety precautions, and food ideas.
Non-Food Ideas
Some uses for your ice cube trays out of the kitchen? Organize your jewellery, office supplies, or loose nails and screws. Or how about homemade Bath Bombs? Aloe Vera ice cubes will help soothe sunburned skin.
You can also use it for various learning activities with your toddler or preschooler or make helpful paint dividers for young and experienced painters alike!
So, before you toss that old ice cube tray in the trash, remember all the ways it might come in handy! Will you use yours to save leftover ingredients, wow your guests with fun drinks, or in your desk drawer?
