Ah, the ice cube tray. Arguably one of the most humble kitchen items. We know that these trays have one job and one job only, right? Well, you might be surprised to hear that ice trays aren’t just for making the cubes that keep your summer drinks nice and cold. Like any good household item, there are a million things you can make with a simple ice cube tray – if you know the right hacks! And these fun tricks and projects aren’t JUST for summertime, too. You can make and enjoy these 20 ice cube tray hacks any time of year! Which one will you try first?

1. Pomegranate Chocolates

   Always wanted to make your own chocolates? Well, now you can! Thanks to the power of ice cube trays. Make these pomegranate chocolate bites as a late-night treat for you or as a gift for a loved one.

2. Cheesecake Bites

   What’s better than a no-bake cheesecake? Bite-sized no-bake cheesecakes you don’t need special molds or pans to make. These delicious and delightful treats have three flavor options, and you can mix and match to your heart’s content with an ice cube tray to help.

3. Chocolates

   Prefer your homemade candies and desserts to be a little more traditional? Ice cube trays can help with that too! These delightful and delicious chocolates have marshmallow, peanut butter, and caramel-and-nuts centers, all made the easiest way we know how.

4. Homemade Baby Food

   Let’s be real, baby food gets expensive. Skip that high price tag from the grocery store and try making your baby some customized food, using their favorite ingredients and your handy cube tray.

5. DIY Dishwasher Tablets

   Something else that’s unbelievably expensive? Dishwasher tablets. Cut costs by making your own right in your freezer. They clean your dishes just as spotlessly clean for a fraction of the price.

6. Coffee and Cream Cubes

   Sick of ice cubes watering down your ice coffee? This little java hack uses an ice cube tray to make COFFEE cubes instead of ice cubes, so when these cubes melt, your coffee won’t get diluted and gross. You can also make cream cubes for gradually dissolving creamer in your coffee. Coffee lovers everywhere, rejoice!

7. Sauteed Herb Cubes

   Wondering what to do with leftover fresh herbs? Put them in an ice cube tray, fill the cubes with olive oil or broth and freeze. When the cubes form, you have perfectly portioned seasoning bombs to put in soups or to saute with dinner.

8. Sauce Cubes

   Extra sauce lingering from dinner? Don’t throw it away! Instead freeze it for the next time you need it by storing it in you ice cube tray. You’ll have convenient cubes of any sauce that will help you make your next pasta dinner a snap.

9. Seed Planter

   Ice cube trays make a great DIY seed planter! We suggest drilling little holes in the bottom so the water can drain out of your soil and the roots of your seedlings won’t rot.

10. Paint Palette

    Artists everywhere struggle to find a paint palette that’s easy to maintain and won’t mix your colors – well, look no further than your freezer! Use an old ice cube tray as the perfect paint palette, and use the many empty cubes to hold individual colors without letting them intermingle.

11. Garbage Disposal Fresheners

    Your garbage disposal can stink up a storm. To keep your sink (and your entire kitchen) smelling nice, you have to keep the disposal fresh smelling. Accomplish this easily with these citrus ice cubes. Freeze vinegar and lemon slices into cubes, then pop them down the disposal for a fresh scent that will fill your entire home.

12. Aloe Vera Cubes

    With the sunshine in full swing, sunburn is an inevitable pitfall of summer. If your sunscreen didn’t quite hold up to the task and you arrive home from the beach lobster-red, try these aloe vera cubes to soothe your burn. The cube-shape is so convenient and the coolness of the frozen aloe feels amazing on burns.

13. Chocolate Covered Strawberries

    Cheap Recipe Blog

    This simple hack is perfect for last-minute entertaining. Serve your chocolate-covered strawberries in ice cube form for a unique finger food that only took minutes to prepare.

14. Ice Chalk

    Messy? Yes. Crazy fun for the kids? Absolutely! Your kids are going to go nuts for this melting chalk, and you’ll love watching as the beautiful colors run together. Easy to clean off your driveway and kid-friendly, this is a fun summer craft for everyone!

15. Yogurt Bites

    These yogurt bites can be made with any type of yogurt and any fruits, nuts, or chocolates can be added in for a little pizzazz! They make for a refreshing snack on a hot afternoon or a light dessert at a summer picnic.

16. Sangria Cubes

    For those times when you have leftover wine sitting around (I’m not familiar with this situation, but whatever…), freeze that wine into cubes! Perfect for tomorrow night’s wine spritzer or that big jug of sangria you’ve been dying to make for brunch.

17. Mini Ice Pops

    Nothing is more cooling for summertime than little Popsicles! In this recipe, you can make mini ice pops on a stick, using whatever juices or fruits you want to personalize them.

18. Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

    Creative Simple Life

    Can’t get enough peanut butter cups? I feel you, they are my ultimate weakness. Instead of running out to the store for every PB craving, try making these organic peanut butter cups right at home in your ice cube tray. You’ll never run out of your personal peanut butter stash, which is a dream come true.

19. Frozen Buttermilk

    Rachel Shultz on Homemaking

    How many times does this happen a month: you have a few glasses left in your half gallon of milk, no reason to use it, and it’s going to spoil tomorrow? The answer is: CONSTANTLY. Don’t waste anymore milk with this little hack! Freeze your milk into cubes for extended life, then bust them out and melt them down for when you need them next.

20. Fruit Smoothie Cubes

    Better Homes and Gardens

    Endless smoothies for everyone! Before your fruit goes, bad puree it and freeze it into cubes. Then, the next time you want a fresh, delicious smoothie, use your stored cubes for fresh fruit flavor. Never settle for a smoothie-less morning again.

Do you use your ice cube tray in a creative way? Share it in the comments section below!