Ice Ice Baby: 5 Creative Takes on the Ice Cube

While we’re all about staying hydrated and mixing up cocktails on the rocks, the ice cube business is hardly booming. Where’s the fun in a plain old cube of frozen water? This recipe is as simple as finding a pair of ingredients you like, chopping them up, and dropping them in an ice cube tray.

Plus if you’ve got herbs and fruits that are hanging on for dear life, this is a great way to get a little more out of them before they go bad. And if cubes aren’t your jam, check out our roundup of off-the-wall ice cube trays.

Ingredients:
– cucumbers and basil

– fig and rosemary

– lime and mint

– lemon and honey

– raspberries and blackberries

Tools: ice cube trays! (we used these Tovolo ones that make perfect cubes)

1. Cucumber and Basil

Dice up the cucumber and basil and place it in the tray.

This combination is a great way to flavor up a glass of water or seltzer, but would also be delicious in a gin and tonic on a hot summer day.

2. Fig and Rosemary

Quarter your figs and pull of sprigs of rosemary off their stems. Place a little bit of everything in your ice cube tray.

These would taste particularly delicious in a glass of hot apple cider, cold ginger beer, or a stiff glass of bourbon on the rocks.

3. Lime and Mint

Create a few wedges of lime, and then a round of tinier ones. Chop up the mint. Squeeze a bit of lime into the tray along with your lime and mint pieces.

These are perfect for mojitos! Grab a little soda, rum, and simple syrup and you’re good to go.

4. Lemon and Honey

Slice your lemons and then cut them into mini wedges. Squirt a bit of honey into your ice cube tray, add lemons and a little squeeze of lemon juice for good measure.

5. Raspberries and Blackberries

Berrylicious! The prep for these couldn’t be simpler. Find the smallest ones in the carton, and place them in your ice cube tray.

We think these would be yummy in a vodka soda, or could be great for smoothie-making.

Now we’ll show you a few more photos of the step-by-step.

Ingredients are in the tray at this point. Feel free to mix and match if you’ve got extra ice trays.

Pour water into the tray – be careful not to overflow, you don’t want to lose ingredients.

Place in the freezer for a few hours.

Pop ’em out whenever you’re looking to add a special spark to a glass of water, cocktail, or cup of tea.

These are great for a party as they instantly make everything you serve look super fancy and gourmet.

What creative ingredients have you tried putting in ice cubes? Let us know your ideas in the comments below or come find us on Twitter. And be sure to stay cool! ;)

We knew when 1923 ended that Alex and Spencer would have to fight their way back to each other in season 2. After I interviewed Alex herself, actress Julia Schlaepfer, and learned that she "barely" spent timewith Brandon Sklenar on set, I realized they wouldn't share many scenes — but I didn't realize that apparently, their separation would last the entire season. It's pretty heartbreaking TBH! Plus, based on the very passionate comments Brit + Co's interview has gotten, no one else realized they'd be separated this long either.

Here's what 1923 fans are saying about Spencer and Alex in season 2 of the show, currently airing on Paramount+ every Sunday.

Do Spencer and Alex get back together in 1923 season 2?

Alex and Spencer are still apart as of season 2 episode 5, and Julia Schlaepfer told Brit + Co in her 1923 interview that her and Brandon Sklenar's filming schedules were "very separate."

"I mean, we block shot as well, so we were all kind of coming in at different times to film, but no, we did not [see each other a lot," she says. "Season one we spent all our time together, this season we barely spent any time together. It was very much like, suddenly we were ripped apart. But that's what the characters are going through."

And now that we're approaching episode 6 and they still aren't together, some passionate fans are starting to lose their cool. (Same, TBH).

"Them together was the only thing that made 1923 good," one user said in the comments of our TikTok video, while another adds, "Well this is not ok. I need major Spencer and Alex love story episodes."

"I'm broken," a third user adds. "If only we could have a Spencer and Alex spinoff show."

Although I agree with another user who theorizes that we'll see Spencer finally return home in the finale. "You just know all of season 2 will be him getting to Montana and showing up in the last episode," they say.

What happened to Spencer and Alex on 1923?

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

At the end of 1923 season 1, Alex and Spencer got separated on their ship to America; after a duel with Alex's ex-fiancé Arthur led to Arthur's death, Spencer got kicked off the boat and Alex got locked in her room. Now with no supplies and barely any money to their name, both Alex and Spencer are trying to get to Montana — and hoping they find the other one there.

Check out The Only Guide You Need To Watching 1923 Season 2 Before The Epic Finale so you don't miss a single moment — and you can see Alex and Spencer reunite (hopefully sooner rather than later)!

The Last of Us cast showed up and showed out at the season 2 premiere on March 24, 2025, and aside from being one of the hottest casts around, this batch is talented — and not just at surviving infected. Season 1 proved just how magnetic they are onscreen together and since our favorite stars are returning alongside some brand new additions, The Last of Us season 2 promises to be outright electric.

Meet The Last of Us season 2 cast, led by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, before new episodes premiere on Max April 13, 2025.

1. Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller

Liane Hentscher/HBO

The Fantastic Four & Materialists star Pedro Pascal returns as Joel Miller, Ellie’s father figure who wants them to have a better life.

2. Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams

HBO

Bella Ramsey will star as Ellie Williams, a girl who’s immune to the infected who learns a huge secret Joel’s been keeping from her.

3. Gabriel Luna as Tommy Miller

Liane Hentscher/HBO

Gabriel Luna stars as Tommy Miller, Joel’s brother who’s started his own family in Jackson, Wyoming.

4. Isabela Merced as Dina

Liane Hentscher/HBO

Isabela Merced stars as Dina, a free spirited member of Jackson who begins a relationship with Ellie.

5. Young Mazino as Jesse

Liane Hentscher/HBO

Young Mazino plays Jesse, one of Ellie’s friends.

6. Rutina Wesley as Maria

Liane Hentscher/HBO

Rutina Wesley returns as Maria, co-leader in Jackson and Tommy’s wife.

7. Kaitlyn Dever as Abby

Liane Hentscher/HBO

Kaitlyn Dever joins The Last of Us season 2 cast as Abby, who’s out for revenge.

8. ​Danny Ramirez as Manny

Marvel Studios

MCU star Danny Ramirez stars as Manny, a member of Abby’s crew who tries to keep the group’s spirits up.

9. ​Tati Gabrielle as Nora

Netflix

Tati Gabrielle plays Nora, a medic traveling with Abby.

10. Ariela Barer as Mel

Greg Lewis/Hulu

Ariela Barer stars as Mel, a doctor and a member of Abby’s group.

11. ​Spencer Lord as Owen

The CW

Spencer Lord plays Owen, one of Abby’s group who struggles to maintain his gentleness.

12. Catherine O'Hara as Gail

Liane Hentscher/HBO

Catherine O’Hara stars as Gail, Joel’s therapist.

13. ​Joel Pantoliano as Eugene

Lionsgate

We'll also see Joel Pantoliano in The Last of Us season 2 as Eugene, Gail’s husband.

14. Jeffrey Wright as Isaac Dixon

Murray Close/Lionsgate

Jeffrey Wright stars as Isaac Dixon, the leader of the militia. Jeffrey played this role in the game!

Check out The Most-Anticipated TV Shows Coming In 2025 for more series you can't miss.

Easteris over, and now, you have more leftover pastelcandy than you know what to do with! Don't stash it in your cabinet until Halloween (trick or treaters don't deserve that). Instead, give your Easter candy new life with these colorful leftover Easter candy recipes. You'll be surprised at how far Easter M&M's and Cadbury chocolate eggs can go!

Brit + Co

Cadbury Creme Eggs Rocky Road Bar

This rocky road-inspired candy bar made with creme eggs is as colorful, gooey, chocolatey, and creamy as they come. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Easter Chocolate Bark

You can use any Easter candy you want to create this treat. Just make sure it's chocolate on chocolate on chocolate. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Peeps S'mores

Turn regular ol' s'mores into brightly-colored dessert sandwiches with chocolate-dipped graham crackers, and a pastel gooey marshmallow center – no campfire necessary. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Caramel Candy-Apple Nachos

Who needs chips and queso when you have leftover Easter candy recipes that include apples, caramel, and Heath bars? Pile on a crumbled Heath Bar and some walnuts over the top of these dessert nachos and instantly ease that sweet tooth. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Cadbury Cocktail

After all the Easter festivities, you deserve a drink. This is the perfect libation that uses leftover Easter candy: a smooth and sweet combination of vanilla vodka, milk of your choice, and the best part of a Cadbury Egg (the insides, obviously)! (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Cadbury Creme Egg Pop Tarts

Creations like these pastries make for the best leftover Easter candy recipes. Stuff these pastry pockets full of Cadbury eggs, and boom, you've got dessert. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Giant Cadbury Creme Egg Cheesecake Dip

This decadent entertaining dessert would also be excellent for an Easter brunch! (via Brit + Co)

A Zesty Bite

Candylicious Junkyard Cookies

This cookie recipe is all about cleaning out your candy jar. Sure, it calls for specific candies like M&M's and Kit Kat bars, but you can throw in whatever chocolate-based candy you have on hand. Trust us: your cookie will come out equally delicious. (via A Zesty Bite)

BRACH's Jelly Bean Pancakes

Ingredients:

  • 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 1⁄4 cups milk
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 cups BRACH’S® Classic Jelly Beans plus 1⁄2 cup as toppings
  • Whipped cream, for topping
Directions:
  1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
  2. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
  3. Mix in BRACH’S® Classic Jelly Beans.
  4. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat.
  5. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1⁄4 cup for each pancake. Flip and brown on both sides.
  6. Once cooked through, remove from griddle. Let cool. Top with whipped cream and extra BRACH’S®Jelly Beans and enjoy!

(via BRACH's)

Melanie Makes

Jelly Bean Donuts

Finally, a socially-acceptable way to eat jelly beans for breakfast! If you don't have a donut pan handy, that's okay. You can also make jelly bean muffins! (via Melanie Makes)

Tastes Better from Scratch

Chocolate Cadbury Egg Cookies

Chocolate lovers will go wild for these Easter-y cookies. For starters, the cookie base is chocolate. What's even better is the Cadbury eggs are five times as big as chocolate chips. That's more chocolate per inch of cookie! (via Tastes Better from Scratch)

Crazy for Crust

Candy Bar Pie

Put your leftover pie crust and leftover Easter candy to good use with this pie. Sure, this is more like a giant cookie in the shape of a pie, but we're still in heaven. (via Crazy for Crust)

A Pumpkin & A Princess

Marbled Jelly Bean Bark

Why should peppermint bark get all the glory? Jelly beans liven up white chocolate bark with spring colors in this delish treat. Bonus: this leftover Easter candy recipe only requires *three* ingredients. (via A Pumpkin & A Princess)

Something Swanky

Bunny Chow

Dress up puppy chow for some bunny in your life. Though this recipe needs only four ingredients, feel free to add more candy or your favorite nuts to this sweet, crunchy snack mix. (via Something Swanky)

The Domestic Rebel

Peeps Candy Bars

It's a fact: food becomes irresistible when it's brightly colored and pretty — also if it's topped with sugar coated marshmallows! Okay, so that might not be a statistic yet, but based on these Peeps candy bars, we can vouch for it. (via The Domestic Rebel)

Dessert Now Dinner Later

Peanut Butter Chocolate Nests

This leftover Easter candy dessert is a work of art, both in your mouth and to the naked eye. It's an adorable bird's nest that you can eat! Chocolate, peanut butter, and pretzels are a dream team that don't get enough credit. (via Dessert Now Dinner Later)

How Sweet Eats

Chocolate Peanut Butter Peeps Skillet S'mores

Need s'more s'mores? We got you with this gooey, chocolatey, peanut buttery dip, topped with golden brown leftover Peeps. Grab a graham cracker, and dig in. (via How Sweet Eats)

Leelalicious

Leftover Candy Stuffed Brownies

This delicious brownie recipe is filled with all your favorite Easter candy (or whatever candy you happen to have on hand). Swap out butter for coconut oil for a slightly healthier twist. By that logic, we'll have two, please. (via Leelalicious)

Deliciously Sprinkled

Cadbury Brownie Bites

You could always hide your leftover Easter candy, or you can just hide them inside these delicious brownie bites! (via Deliciously Sprinkled)

BRACH's Jelly Bean Cinnabunnies

Ingredients:

  • BRACH’S® Classic Jelly Beans
  • Store-bought jumbo-size cinnamon rolls
  • White frosting

Directions:

  1. Unwrap the first layer of dough from the outside of each cinnamon roll. Remove and set aside.
  2. Place the dough that is still rolled on your baking sheet, widely spaced; these will be your bunny heads.
  3. Tear the removed outer layers into two smaller pieces, about 2.5” each.
  4. Loosely fold each 2.5” piece in half and pinch the ends together to form the bunny’s ears.
  5. Take two folded pieces and lightly press the bases together onto a roll to form the full bunny.
  6. Bake according to package instructions. Decorate with frosting and jelly beans once cooled!

(via BRACH's)

Delightful E Made

Spring Krispie Cake With M&M's and Candy Drizzle

This Rice Krispies cake doubles as a colorful center piece for your Easter table spread. Melt down some Peeps and mix with the famed cereal. If you're using Peeps of varying colors, melt each color down separately, and mix cereal in portions for a tie-dye effect. (via Delightful E Made)

Two Sisters Crafting

Easter Candy Popcorn

Put a spin on sweet and salty popcorn with a butter marshmallow sauce. It's like a more indulgent version of kettle corn that coats your popcorn in a sticky, sweet, and buttery sauce. Add Easter M&M's and candy-coated chocolate eggs to make this the perfect post-Easter snack! (via Two Sisters Crafting)

Kirbie's Cravings

Leftover Easter Candy Mug Cake

This single serving of cake is just the emergency sweet treat you keep on-hand when you need a little “me time." Just toss in a handful of Easter M&M's into a mug along with flour, milk, and baking powder. Voila! Your sweet tooth is satisfied in under five minutes using ingredients you already had in your pantry. (via Kirbie's Cravings)

Averie Cooks

Chocolate Peanut Butter Kit Kat Crunch Bars

This leftover Easter candy recipe looks too good to be true! We love these crunchy homemade candy bars topped with our favorite twin chocolate wafer bars. (via Averie Cooks)

Domestic Superhero

Twix Cheesecake Bars

Creamy cheesecake + crunchy Twix Bars = the ultimate Easter dessert. Drizzle the top with chocolate and caramel right before serving to complete this masterpiece. (via Domestic Superhero)

Pink Owl Kitchen

Easter Cookie Cake

If you grew up loving cookie cakes, you'll love using your leftover Easter candy to make your own homemade version! You'll love the warm and tantalizing taste of peanut butter, but it's the mini chocolate eggs that really make this recipe shine. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

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This post has been updated with additional reporting by Gabi Conti and Meredith Holser.