Homemade Drumsticks

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These Homemade Drumsticks are everything you need in an ice cream recipe! Made with flavorful ingredients such as rich hot fudge, chopped nuts, sweet ice cream cones, and your choice of ice cream– these ice cream sundae cones have some of the best flavors out there! 
 
four chocolate dipped cones with nuts and cherries
 
Nutty, sweet, and the perfect treat to a warm summer day, these ice cream drumsticks are fun for all ages: including adults! The children will enjoy having helping hands in the kitchen with this easy sundae cone recipe. 
 
What’s better than peanuts and chocolate? Bite into these frozen treats and relish in the yummy crunchy delight these homemade drumsticks have to offer. This drumstick recipe is way better than the store-bought drumsticks. Make sure you make enough to keep around all summer long! 
 
Melted drumstick ice cream cone
 

Making Homemade Drumstick Ice Cream Cones 

The first time I made these drumsticks was back in the summer of 2013. The kids and I were on a homemade ice cream-making frenzy that summer, and while we were making homemade Buster Bars, I decided we should try our luck at homemade drumsticks! They were always one of my favorite ways to eat ice cream as a kid, and even now, I mean, who doesn’t like drumsticks?

Perks of making them your own? Switching up the flavors of the ice cream, adding other components like caramel to the centers, topping them with other kinds of nuts besides peanuts, or leaving them off entirely or using sprinkles. (when we buy the ones at the store I always get to eat the peanuts off of my husband’s cone because he hates peanuts. Lucky me!)
 
 
 
A group of homemade drumsticks with sprinkles and nuts

Why You’re Going to Love These Ice Cream Drumsticks

  • Classic recipe: You’re going to fall in love with these homemade drumsticks because they will remind you of your classic childhood favorite treat. The trio of vanilla ice cream, melted chocolate, and nuts is unbeatable! 
  • Perfect for warm weather: Whether you’re enjoying your day out by the pool or spending some time in the backyard for a party, these frozen treats will come in handy no matter what the occasion is. Maybe you just want to enjoy your favorite ice cream snack! 
  • Delicious & easy: With hardly any steps with a fool-proof approach, these homemade drumsticks are so easy you’ll want to make them all the time.

 

Cones with vanilla and strawberry ice cream

Ingredients

Don’t miss the full measurements for these homemade drumstick ice cream cones– scroll down to the recipe card below!

homemade drumstick ice cream ingredients

Hot fudge: You’ll want a jar of hot fudge ice cream topping. You can also use caramel sauce if you prefer: yum! 
Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips. You can use dark chocolate, too. 
Oil: Any type of vegetable oil will work. You’ll need this to melt the chocolate chips.
Ice cream: I like vanilla, but you can use any type of ice cream flavor your heart desires!
Cone: I like to use sugar ice cream cones because they’re just oh, so good and really fit well with this recipe.
Nuts: Your choice of mixed chopped nuts. Completely optional, but why not? If you don’t like nuts, then you can use sprinkles!

What kind of nuts are on drumsticks? 

Traditionally, homemade drumsticks are made with roasted peanuts, but you can use any nut you want. You don’t even have to use nuts! Feel free to omit them if you would like. You could even try chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds. 

Five chocolate dipped cones with nuts and cherries

How to Make Homemade Drumsticks

Step 1

First, place a dollop of hot fudge at the bottom of each cone. Next, melt the chocolate chips and oil in a microwaveable safe bowl in the microwave. Melt in 30-second intervals until smooth.

 

Top view of ice cream in cones

Step 2

Pack the ice cream into each cone. Press down lightly. I have found that standing the cones inside short glasses makes the whole process easier.

 

Strawberry ice cream with prinkles

Step 3

Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out a nice round scoop of ice cream for the top of the cone.

Step 4

Next, dip the top of the ice cream cone into the melted chocolate and dunk into the nuts (or sprinkles), if you prefer.

One homemade drumstick in glass with cherry on top

Step 5

Place the ice cream cones in glasses and place them in the freezer for a couple of hours.  

 

Why are ice cream drumsticks called drumsticks?

Chocolate-dipped ice cream drumsticks got their name because they resemble the shape of a chicken leg! Funny, right? 

 

Drumsticks graphic

LOVE IT? PIN IT!

Make sure to save these homemade drumsticks on your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go! You’ll want to keep them for later! 

 

Homemade drumsticks with sprinkles

Why do drumsticks get soggy? 

If the drumsticks have been sitting out too long with the melted ice cream, then they can get quite soggy! Be sure to enjoy these homemade ice cream drumsticks as soon as you pull them out of the freezer. 

One ice cream cone with vanilla ice cream

Tips

  • Store leftover drumsticks in the freezer for up to two weeks for the freshest flavors. 
  • For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free ice cream or frozen yogurt.
  • I stood my cones in short glasses inside of a 9×13 pan.

 

Side angle of two Buster Bars

More Recipes for Homemade Frozen Treats

Making homemade ice creams and frozen treats at home is always a fun activity, especially in the summertime! Here are some more recipe I think you’ll love:

Top view of six cones with cherries and nuts

 
Ready to get dippin’? Let’s make some Homemade Drumsticks!  M.
 
 
 
A group of homemade drumsticks with sprinkles and nuts
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe

Homemade Drumsticks

These Homemade Drumsticks are everything you need in an ice cream recipe! Made with flavorful ingredients such as rich hot fudge, chopped nuts, sweet ice cream cones, and your choice of ice cream– these ice cream sundae cones have some of the best flavors out there! 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 minute
Additional Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 11 minutes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: drumstick ice cream cones, drumstick recipe, drumsticks without nuts, Homemade drumsticks, homemade ice cream drumsticks, how are drumstick ice cream made? drumstick ice cream ingredients, How to make ice cream drumsticks, ice cream drumsticks, sundae cone ice cream, sundae cone recipe, sundae cones homemade, what kind of nuts are on drumsticks? How to make homemade drumsticks
Servings: 8 drumsticks
Calories: 347kcal
Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

  • 1 quart vanilla ice cream
  • 8 sugar ice cream cones
  • 1/3 cup hot fudge ice cream topping or caramel
  • mixed chopped nuts or sprinkles
  • 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

  • Place a dollop of hot fudge in the bottom of each cone.
  • Place chips and oil in a microwave and melt in 30 second intervals until smooth.
  • Pack ice cream into the cone and use an ice cream scoop to make a perfect ball shaped scoop on the top, pressing down tightly.
  • Dip top of cone in melted chocolate and dunk into nuts or sprinkles.
  • Stand on end in short glasses.
  • Place in freezer for at least 3 hours.

Notes

  • Store leftover drumsticks in the freezer for up to two weeks for the freshest flavors. 
  • For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 84mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 35g
 
This recipe was originally posted on July 16, 2013. It had been updated to improve user experience and reshared on June 14, 2021.
 
close up of homemade drumsticks on a blue plate with text "homemade drumsticks"
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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18 Comments

    1. I know how you feel!! I had never thought of it until just last week. So many ways to switch it up, too!! Thanks for visiting!

  1. This is genius! My favorite part of drumstick is the solid chocolate at the bottom, so maybe I’ll put a Hershey kiss in instead….can’t wait to make these with the kids!

  2. This was such a fun and tasty way to cool down on a hot summer day! Easy, delicious and way better than a store bought version!

  3. Oh, my goodness, these were so fun! Drumsticks were my favorite frozen treat as a kid, and these definitely took me back, but they’re even more delicious.

  4. This is such a great idea and perfect for my family! My teens are going to love help make this recipe! Can’t wait to eat one of these ice cream drumsticks!

  5. HELL YEAH! Wow, these looks so tasty – defo going to be making them when winter is over here in Australia!

  6. Love this! I am going to make these next weekend when my niece visits – it will be a fun activity to do together!

  7. I absolutely LOVE how you’ve created a homemade version of this classic treat! So fun to be able to customize your own and a great kitchen project with kids!

  8. Wow these looks SOO good! For whatever reason I never make homemade drumsticks, but you’ve given m good motivation, I will definitely try this. My kids will love it for sure!

  9. Those pictures are gorgeous! I was not hungry until I saw them – now I’m craving these so badly! Love the tip about using a glass to hold the cone – can’t wait to try this recipe!

  10. These were such a great idea for a summer treat. I can’t wait to make these again with my teens! So fun and so delicious!

  11. I see this is an older post, but hope you check back now and then. When I’ve used melted chocolate with ice cream in the past, the cold makes the chocolate seize and I have problems dipping all but the 1st one. What am I doing wrong?

    1. I have never had a problem with that when I have made these drumsticks. However, I have had problems with chocolate seizing when liquid get added to it – I have always stirred in a couple drops of vegetable oil and that has helped.

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