Along with Chinese food leftovers, one of the most useful things a Microwave oven can do is quickly and safely soften ice cream pints. If you have received your Ben And Jerry's or Haagen-Dazs after it has sat in your grocer's freezer long enough to turn it into a rock, then take heart. A modern Microwave, using a full-power hit of perhaps 6-20 seconds (depending on, among other things, your power rating), will turn a solid building block of ice cream into a perfectly softened yummy treat.