When you think of desserts, cookies, cakes, cupcakes and brownies usually come to mind first. But at Sandra Lee's recent Sweet! event at the New York City Wine & Food Festival, the real star of the show was ice cream. Whether it was sandwiched between bites of doughnut, paired with a cupcake or eaten on its own, no two dishes were alike.

Diana Hardeman of MilkMade Ice Cream offered up scrumptious cranberry chocolate chip ice cream. Handcrafted with big hunks of both cranberry and chocolate, this homage to fall wasn’t your average pint.

Taking a more classic approach with an unexpected twist, Le Bernadin’s Chocolate Pink Peppercorn Ice Cream Sandwiches contained just the right kick of spice to bring out the subtle flavor of the chocolate sandwich base.

Big Gay Ice Cream didn’t disappoint with its Pumpkin Spice Push Pops. Just like the Flintstones ones you used to get from the ice cream truck, these were definitely the most inventive presentation of the night.

Colicchio & Sons served its ice cream between apple cider doughnuts, with a shooter of horchata on the side, while The North Folk Table & Inn’s Coffee-Toffee Sundaes with roasted bananas and salted peanuts proved that sometimes ice cream really does make everything better.

No matter the season, get in on this sweet trend by making your own at home:

• Sunny's Buttermilk Pecan Ice Cream
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
• Fire and Ice Cream
• Alton's Serious Vanilla Ice Cream

Which ice cream would you like to try? Tell us in the comments below.