If you love ice cream as much as I do, you’ll love this collection of the best ice cream recipes I gathered. Some links are affiliate links that earn me a commission if you purchase through them.
July is National Ice Cream Month, but I’m happy to celebrate all year long. While my kids love going to local ice cream parlors, but that gets awfully expensive awfully fast. Instead, we often buy ice cream from the store, but it’s more fun and cheaper to make your own ice cream.
Added bonus? I know exactly what ingredients go into into ice cream when we make it – and the flavor options are limitless.
I grew up eating ice cream that we churned by hand in a giant bucket with ice and rock salt. Does anyone else remember those days of constantly turning that wheel?
Thankfully, you can make traditional churned ice cream so much more easily now. You don’t even need the ice or the rock salt. An ice cream maker is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. In summer, I keep at least one of my buckets in the freezer at all times, so we can make ice cream anytime!
After gathering this list of the best ice cream recipes, you know I’ll put my ice cream maker to good use!
What’s the difference between the different kinds of ice cream?
You make traditional ice cream with milk – and the fattier the milk (e.g., 2% versus whole milk versus half and half), the creamier and more premium your ice cream tastes.
Frozen custard uses egg yolks and the mixture usually gets cooked a bit before you chill it and then freeze it. I love frozen custard because it ends up even creamier than ice cream, but admittedly it takes a little bit more work and time.
Frozen yogurt uses, not surprisingly, yogurt to make it, along with milk. It’s tangier than ice cream, and I love making fruit based frozen yogurts more than sweeter versions.
Gelato has lower milkfat than ice cream and doesn’t whip as much air into the finished product, which makes it smoother in texture. It feels creamier even though it has less milkfat, as crazy as that sounds! Make sure you let any homemade gelato thaw just a little before serving as it gets hard in your freezer.
Sorbet is what we used to eat when we felt like we were being fancy. Interestingly, sorbet has no dairy (so my daughter could eat it when she had her dairy allergy!), as it’s usually made from water or juice mixed with fruit purees. No shock, that’s the naturally low fat one of the bunch.
No churn ice cream is relatively new to the scene and tends to have few ingredients. It uses sweetened condensed milk and heavy whipping cream as its base and is the fastest way to make ice cream. It tastes good, but there are definitely times you want to go with one of the traditional options above.
What Do You Need to Make Homemade Ice Cream?
Depending on what kind of recipe you’re using, you may need a variety of products. Check out some of my favorites, and don’t forget to use a good quality ice cream scoop to serve up your yummy treat!
- A good ice cream maker to create the smooth and creamy ice cream you love
- An extra freezer bowl so you can make more than one batch of ice cream if you choose
- Ice cream containers that make it easy to store and scoop your ice cream
- An ice cream scoop that makes it easy to scoop the ice cream
- Just for fun, get yourself a waffle cone maker to really up your ice cream game
- Fun ice cream bowls make it easy to know whose ice cream is whose, and they look great, too
So now you know what you’re eating and what you need, let’s help you make some. Check out the best ice cream recipes (ok and frozen yogurt and more) I could find!
The Definitive List of 30+ Best Ice Cream Recipes
Ice cream is so versatile that you can introduce so many flavors to it that range from the traditional favorites you grew up with to spicy and unique flavors you might not have thought to include in ice cream before.
It’s amazing how just a few simple ingredients turn into such a fun treat. This list incorporates all different styles of ice cream and flavors, so start at the top and just work your way down.
Best Ice Cream Recipes: Traditional Ice Cream
Grilled Pineapple Ice Cream
Grilled Pineapple Ice Cream – really do I need to say any more? Any fruit grilled develops such an amazing flavor. This one? It may top the list of best ice cream recipes. Maybe!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pineapple Ice Cream
Dole Whip Ice Cream
On the tropical theme. have you ever had a Dole Whip at a Disney park? If you haven’t, you need to. If you have, you know you need to create it at home. I’ve made my own version several times because who doesn’t love Dole Whip ice cream? One day I’ll post my recipe, but until then, make this one!
Get the Recipe: Dole Whip Ice Cream
Apple Pie Ice Cream
Apple Pie Ice Cream combines all that’s best about America, right? There’s nothing more traditional or American than apple pie, and you know we love our ice cream. Apple pie ice cream? Oh heck yeah it’s on the list of best ice cream recipes!
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Ice Cream
Avocado Ice Cream
Unlock the unexpected delight of Avocado Ice Cream—don’t knock it until you’ve tried its unbelievably smooth and creamy goodness. It does not taste like avocados. Experience a luscious frozen treat like no other, where the natural richness of avocados creates a surprisingly indulgent dessert.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Ice Cream
Chocolate Swirl Sundae
Chocolate Swirl Sundae is such a creative and perfect flavor. I love hot fudge sauce in all shapes and forms (and making your own hot fudge sauce is soooo easy), so incorporating it into the ice cream so you can just scoop it out? Brilliant!
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Swirl Sundae
Raspberry Green Tea Ice Cream
On the complete opposite of the chocolate sundae classic is this raspberry green tea ice cream. I love green tea ice cream, and I may or may not make the excuse to go to certain restaurants just so I can have it for dessert. This version adding raspberries to it? Yum!
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Green Tea Ice Cream
Birthday Cake Ice Cream
One of my kids’ favorite flavors is a good Birthday Cake Ice Cream, and this one has all their favorites from marshmallows to cherries to sprinkles. It’s such a pretty version, but trust me, we don’t reserve this one solely for birthday parties!
Get the Recipe: Birthday Cake Ice Cream
Mexican Hot Chocolate Ice Cream
I love my chocolate with a little kick. That’s why Mexican chocolate brownies are my favorite. I feel the same way about this Mexican Hot Chocolate Ice Cream. Cool and creamy plus the little bit of heat from the chocolate tablets, and I could eat this all day long!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Hot Chocolate Ice Cream
Best Ice Cream Recipes: No Churn Ice Cream
Chocolate Cherry Chip No Churn Ice Cream
Chocolate Cherry Chip no churn was my first but definitely not my last foray into the world of no churn ice cream. It was so good and so incredibly easy to make. There’s no surprise that this disappeared in a heartbeat and my family keeps asking when I’m making it again, right?
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Chip No Churn Ice Cream
Bourbon and Peach No Churn Ice Cream
For the grown ups among us, this Bourbon and Peach No Churn Ice Cream is just what the doctor ordered. I only recently discovered that I really like bourbon, and pairing it with peach provides the perfect contrast of zing. Holy cow!
Get the Recipe: Bourbon and Peach No Churn Ice Cream
Twix Ice Cream
Twix Ice Cream Twix may or may not be in my top two spot for favorite candy bar ever, and a Twix ice cream recipe? No churn to boot? You know this one is going in my “must make” file, right?
Get the Recipe: Twix Ice Cream
Lemon Ice Cream
Lemon Ice Cream is the perfect refreshing flavor. Even I’ll admit that ice cream can sometimes be too sweet, especially when it’s really hot out. Lemon cuts that sweetness and has the perfect complement to the creaminess of ice cream. Three ingredients and no churn to boot? Just sign me up now.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Ice Cream
Coffee Toffee Fudge Swirl Ice Cream
Sometimes lots of ingredients is too many, but this mouthful of a name Coffee Toffee Fudge Swirl Ice Cream is worth every syllable. It has all my favorite flavors in there, and even with so many different tastes, it remains a simple no churn recipe. Pass a bowl, please!
Get the Recipe: Coffee Toffee Fudge Swirl Ice Cream
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
You know I had to throw some chocolate in here somewhere. This no churn Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream would have my kids doing chores for hours just for the chance at a scoop. It’s another classic combo, and this version is even a relatively healthy ice cream recipe with no added sugar.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Cherry Almond Amaretto Ice Cream
Another one to add to the adult list only: Who else is drooling over this Cherry Almond Amaretto ice cream? You know cherries are one of my favorites, and amaretto is one of the few alcohols that I love to drink straight up. They pair so beautifully together, and it’s such a pretty ice cream, too!
Get the Recipe: Cherry Almond Amaretto Ice Cream
Oreo Fudge Ice Cream
Oreo Fudge has to make the list, of course. Who didn’t grow up loving a good cookies and cream ice cream? This version is so reminiscent of that classic but has the added bonus of a ribbon of fudge swirled in, too.
Get the Recipe: Oreo Fudge Ice Cream
Ube Ice Cream
If you haven’t heard of ube yet, you aren’t alone. It’s a hot trend – and tasty! Ube Ice Cream deserves its fame. You definitely want to make this and figure out why for yourself! I mean, the color alone, right?
Get the Recipe: Ube Ice Cream
Best Ice Cream Recipes: Frozen Custard
Cookie Dough Frozen Custard
Cookie Dough is one of those classic flavors everyone loves but rarely makes at home. This rich and delicious version made into a frozen custard is so amazingly fantastically good. My kids beg for it all the time. And if you aren’t from the Midwest and haven’t had frozen custard, you need to try it out!
Get the Recipe: Cookie Dough Frozen Custard
Old Fashioned Peach Frozen Custard
Old Fashioned Peach is perfect if you aren’t up for the bourbon and peach no churn version. This one is a frozen custard, which makes it oh so creamy and perfect with those in season peaches. I’m going to keep saying it, but this one may be my favorite.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Peach Frozen Custard
Salted Caramel Custard
Salted caramel anyone? I originally made this one with cookies crunched up in it, but I’ve made it and remade it since with “just” the salted caramel portion. While I call it at an ice cream in my recipe description, it has the egg yolks to make it a frozen custard. Yum!
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Custard
Blackberry Chocolate Chip Custard
This Blackberry Chocolate Chip version has my mouth watering. I adore blackberries but always seem to forget about them. As with most berries, as soon as you pair them with anything chocolate, they become somehow magical, don’t they?
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Chocolate Chip Custard
Best Ice Cream Recipes: Frozen Yogurt
Sour Cherry Frozen Yogurt
Sour Cherry is one of my all time favorite flavors. I love cherry ice cream (see my no churn version above), frozen yogurt, and even cherry syrup. This sour cherry frozen yogurt recipe steals my heart.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cherry Frozen Yogurt
Mango Frozen Yogurt
Mango Frozen Yogurt is one of my favorites. Really, we love anything mango. I usually make this frozen yogurt with Greek yogurt, but it works well with any style yogurt. And when I don’t have the time or energy to make frozen yogurt, I make mango lassis instead. It’s all soooo good.
Get the Recipe: Mango Frozen Yogurt
Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
Classic Strawberry Frozen Yogurt is, well, a classic. In high school, I literally had strawberry frozen yogurt for breakfast almost every single day. My love of it remains today, and this homemade strawberry frozen yogurt is so fun and so easy.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
Best Ice Cream Recipes: Other Ice Cream Treats
Should ice cream sandwiches or popsicles have their own category? Maybe yes, maybe no. But either way, they certainly deserve to be recognized.
Chocolate Bourbon Popsicles
Now that I know Chocolate Bourbon Popsicles exist, I need to make them. Possibly right this very second. Holy cow do these sound and look amazing. And I don’t need to tell you that this and the bourbon peach recipe are adults only, right?
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Bourbon Popsicles
Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream Sandwiches
Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream Sandwiches are one of my favorite ways to mix the flavors of chocolate and cherry together. Honestly, the ice cream and the cookies taste great solo, but together? Someone hand me a napkin, stat!
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream Sandwiches
Watermelon Strawberry Sorbet
Watermelon Strawberry Sorbet has to make it on the list. I make a delicious watermelon granita, which is in a different family altogether, but you know watermelon has to make the list here. This is the perfect way to cool down during summer. The fact that this is a recipe to make a single serving only makes me happier!
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Strawberry Sorbet
Strawberry Ginger Coconut Sorbet
Another fun sorbet to try? Make this Strawberry Ginger Coconut Sorbet the next time you’re craving something fun. The ginger takes this up a notch from just “plain” strawberry and is the perfect addition. If you’re anything like me, you have a ginger root in your freezer just waiting to grate into the next recipe. And if you don’t? Buy one and put it there!
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Ginger Coconut Sorbet
Homemade Ice Cream Cake
I grew up having ice cream cakes for birthdays as a very special treat because they’re so expensive to buy from the ice cream parlors. Welllll make your own, including that crunchy chocolate center, with this fun recipe. I made it initially with dairy free ice cream, but sub your favorite flavors to make the best classic Homemade Ice Cream Cake you’ve ever had.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Ice Cream Cake
Milky Way Ice Cream Cake
Milky Way Ice Cream Cake is such a fun one to make. I love creating this one with homemade cake, but it works just as well (shhhh) with a store bought pound cake sliced in half or thirds. Ice cream cakes may be one of my favorite ways to enjoy cake.
Get the Recipe: Milky Way Ice Cream Cake
Ice Cream Tacos
Ice cream tacos are one of those things I remember from childhood. I actually purchased my husband a waffle cone maker for his birthday last year, and we’ve been having so much fun making our own cones. Making ice cream tacos is so on our list!
Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Tacos
Homemade Waffle Cones
Level up your homemade ice cream game with Easy Homemade Waffle Cones, no more store-bought cones needed. Delight in the satisfaction of crafting your own golden-brown, freshly baked cones that perfectly complement your homemade ice cream creations.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Waffle Cones
Bananas Foster Creamsicles
Bananas Foster Creamsicles is so up my alley. Bananas Foster was one of the first desserts I mastered after graduating college – weird but true. It’s the perfect way to enjoy bananas past their peak, and the idea to make this into a popsicle has my mouth watering.
Get the Recipe: Bananas Foster Creamsicles
Peach Coconut Milk Ice Cream
If you have a dairy allergy, don’t think I’m leaving you out! This dairy free peach coconut milk ice cream is still so good and so creamy. When my daughter couldn’t do dairy, this was a staple in our house – no question!
Get the Recipe: Peach Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Raspberry Pineapple Pops
In fact, these dairy free raspberry pineapple pops made it on the list, too. I love popsicles that masquerade as ice cream. We sampled something in Costco yesterday that’s a creamy popsicle like this, and I’m already working on replicating it at home in a cherry version.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Pineapple Pops
What’s on your list of the Best Ice Cream recipes?
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WOW – what a stellar collection – I’m so honored you shared my recipe for bourbon chocolate Popsicles! Now I need to try out that peach bourbon Popsicle recipe pronto too – thanks so much, Michelle!
Of course! You have so many amazing recipes. Of course I had to share! Peach bourbon sounds amazing, too. I need all of them!
Now that is one awesome collection of ice creams Michelle. It’s amazing how much difference an ice cream can make in this summer heat. We have almost 40C on certain days and the kids have been eating ice creams every day!! I ain’t complaining, I want some too. Thanks for including my lemon ice cream in the list, can’t wait to see the others.
Oh I’m so not anyone who deals well with the heat. I need ice cream to keep cool!