Get ready to combine two of your favorite holiday treats into one unforgettable dessert! This Christmas Cookie Ice Cream is the ultimate festive indulgence. Imagine a rich, incredibly creamy vanilla ice cream, packed with chunks of your favorite Christmas cookies and swirls of colorful sprinkles. It’s the perfect way to capture the magic of the season in a scoop. Whether you have an ice cream maker or not, this recipe is designed to be simple, fun, and absolutely delicious.
We’re ditching complicated steps for a straightforward method that delivers pure holiday joy. This recipe isn’t just about taste; it’s about creating happy memories in the kitchen. Let’s get started!
What Makes This Christmas Cookie Ice Cream So Special?
This isn’t just another ice cream recipe; it’s your new holiday tradition. What sets it apart is its incredible versatility and foolproof simplicity. The star of the show is the no-churn ice cream base, which creates a luxuriously smooth and creamy texture without any special equipment. It’s rich, decadent, and the perfect canvas for all your favorite holiday mix-ins. Plus, we’ll guide you on which cookies work best to ensure every bite is packed with festive flavor and delightful texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
We’re using simple, high-quality ingredients to create the best possible flavor. You’ll be amazed at how these few items come together to create such a decadent treat.
For the No-Churn Ice Cream Base
- Heavy Whipping Cream: This is the key to a light, airy, and creamy texture. Make sure it’s well-chilled before you start.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides sweetness and ensures a smooth, scoopable texture without needing an ice cream maker.
- Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best, most authentic flavor.
- A Pinch of Salt: Just a little bit to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
For the Cookie & Sprinkle Swirl
- Assorted Christmas Cookies: About 1 to 1.5 cups of your favorite cookies, crushed into bite-sized pieces. Sugar cookies, shortbread, or gingerbread are all fantastic choices. This is also a great way to use up leftover cookies!
- Festive Sprinkles: Red, green, and white jimmies or nonpareils add a wonderful pop of color and holiday cheer.
How to Make Christmas Cookie Ice Cream: Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping holiday dessert. We’ve broken it down to make the process as easy as possible.
Step 1: Prepare Your Cookies
Start by crushing your Christmas cookies. You want a mix of smaller crumbs and larger, bite-sized chunks for the best texture. Set them aside in a small bowl along with your festive sprinkles.
Step 2: Make the No-Churn Ice Cream Base
In a large, chilled bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. This means when you lift the beaters, the cream stands up in a peak that holds its shape. Be careful not to over-whip, or it will turn into butter!
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Gently fold about a cup of the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture to lighten it. Then, pour the lightened mixture into the remaining whipped cream and fold gently with a spatula until just combined. You want to maintain as much air in the whipped cream as possible.
Step 3: Layer and Swirl
Pour one-third of the ice cream base into a 9×5 inch loaf pan or another freezer-safe container. Sprinkle a third of your crushed cookies and sprinkles over the top. Repeat this layering process two more times, ending with a final sprinkle of cookies and decorations on top. You can gently swirl with a knife, but don’t overmix.
Step 4: Freeze to Perfection
Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it against the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming. Freeze for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight, until firm. For more simple and delicious dessert ideas, check out this no-bake marshmallow cheesecake.
The Best Cookies for Your Ice Cream
The beauty of this Christmas Cookie Ice Cream recipe is its customizability. While classic sugar cookies are a popular choice, feel free to experiment!
- Sugar Cookies: Soft, buttery sugar cookies with frosting add a classic holiday flavor and a lovely chewiness.
- Gingerbread Cookies: For a warm, spiced flavor that screams Christmas, gingerbread or gingersnaps are an excellent choice.
- Shortbread: The crisp, buttery texture of shortbread holds up beautifully in ice cream, providing a delightful crunch.
- Biscoff or Speculoos Cookies: These spiced caramel cookies add a deep, complex flavor that’s utterly irresistible.
Pro-Tips for the Creamiest Homemade Ice Cream
Unlock the secret to perfectly smooth homemade ice cream with these simple but effective tips.
- Chill Everything: Your bowl, beaters, and especially your heavy cream should be very cold. This helps the cream whip up faster and create a more stable, airy base.
- The Magic of a Shallow Pan: Using a shallow pan, like a loaf pan or a 9×9 inch baking dish, helps the ice cream freeze more quickly and evenly, which is key to preventing large ice crystals.
- Perfect Storage: Always press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before sealing with a lid. This extra layer of protection is the best defense against freezer burn and ice crystals.
* Don’t Overmix: When folding the whipped cream and condensed milk, be gentle. The goal is to keep the mixture light and airy for that perfect ice cream texture.
Fun Variations & Add-Ins
Take your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream to the next level with these festive additions. For another amazing holiday dessert, you should try these gingerbread latte mousse domes.
- Caramel or Fudge Swirl: Drizzle in some thick caramel or hot fudge sauce as you layer the ice cream.
- Peppermint Power: Add a quarter teaspoon of peppermint extract to the base and mix in crushed candy canes for a minty twist.
- Holiday Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the ice cream base can add a lovely warmth.
- Eggnog Flavor: Replace a quarter cup of the heavy cream with your favorite eggnog and add a dash of freshly grated nutmeg. For more festive flavors, don’t miss our delicious Christmas jam recipe.
Storing Your Homemade Ice Cream
To keep your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container. As mentioned in our pro-tips, the best way to prevent ice crystals is to press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before putting on the lid. Stored properly, your homemade ice cream will stay creamy and wonderful for up to 2 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use store-bought cookie dough. Simply bake the cookies according to the package directions, let them cool completely, and then crush them before adding them to the ice cream base.
No, you do not! This is a no-churn recipe that uses whipped heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk to create a creamy texture without any special equipment.
The best way to prevent ice crystals is to press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before sealing the container. Storing it in the back of your freezer where the temperature is most consistent also helps.
When stored properly in an airtight container, this homemade Christmas Cookie Ice Cream will stay fresh and delicious for up to 2 weeks.
Soft sugar cookies, crisp shortbread, and spiced gingerbread cookies are all excellent choices. The best part about this recipe is you can use your personal favorites or even leftover holiday cookies!
Your New Favorite Holiday Dessert
This Christmas Cookie Ice Cream is more than just a recipe—it’s a celebration in a bowl! It’s the perfect sweet treat to share with family and friends after a festive meal or to enjoy by the fire on a cozy winter night. We know you’ll love making and sharing this delightful dessert.
If you try this recipe, we’d love to see it! Share your creations on Pinterest and let us know how it turned out in the comments below.
Christmas Cookie Ice Cream Recipe
Christmas Cookie Ice Cream (The Only Festive Recipe You’ll Need!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small bowl, combine your crushed Christmas cookies and festive sprinkles. Set aside.
- In a large, chilled bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the cold heavy cream on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Gently fold about 1 cup of the whipped cream into this mixture to lighten it. Then, pour this into the main bowl of whipped cream and fold gently until just combined, being careful not to deflate the cream.
- Pour one-third of the ice cream base into a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Sprinkle with one-third of the cookie and sprinkle mixture. Repeat these layers two more times, ending with cookies and sprinkles on top.
- Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it down to touch the surface of the ice cream. Freeze for a minimum of 6 hours, or overnight, until firm.
Notes
Tip 2: Feel free to use any of your favorite Christmas cookies, such as sugar cookies, gingerbread, or shortbread.
Tip 3: Store leftovers in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed against the surface for up to 2 weeks.
