Home Travel
ByLisa Kaminski and Lauren Cahn
Taste of Home's Editorial Process
Updated: Apr. 10, 2024
Here are the best ice cream flavors from every state. Does your favorite line up with your state's?
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Alabama: Butter Pecan
Alabama’s state nut is the pecan, so is it any wonder folks in Alabama love this ingredient in their ice cream? Butter pecan is one of the best ice cream flavors at parlors statewide.
Pack more pecans into your diet with these sweet and savory pecan recipes.
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Alaska: Eskimo Ice Cream
This is definitely a unique ice cream to Alaska! Akutaq, more commonly known as Eskimo ice cream, isn’t quite a traditional ice cream. It’s a mixture of whipped fat and berries like cranberries and blueberries. Today it’s commonly made with the addition of cream and sugar for a sweeter treat.
Next: Whip up one of our easy fresh fruit desserts.
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Arizona: Horchata
Arizona is home to Sweet Republic, a small scale ice creamery. This brand, distributed throughout the state, comes up with new flavors regularly. One of the most iconic, though, blends ice cream with the state’s Mexican influence. What results is Horchata, a creamy combo of ice cream and cinnamon.
Make the beverage that inspired this ice cream at home.
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Arkansas: Banana Nut
There’s no Southern dessert that matches up to the flavors of a good banana pudding. Unless you count a banana ice cream. In Arkansas, banana nut is always a winner.
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California: Neapolitan
According to the California Dairy Press Room, California has been the nation’s top ice cream producing state for at least two decades. And guess what flavor is in the highest demand? Why it’s not one flavor at all. It’s three, although it’s known by one name: Neapolitan, which is made of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, all lined up side by side.
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Colorado: Root Beer Float
Back in 1893, Frank J. Wisner invented the root beer float that we all know and love. Today, you don’t have to mix the two ingredients together to get that great flavor—you can enjoy a scoop of root beer ice cream on its own! Though if you do want to make a float, we recommend these root beer brands.
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Connecticut: Almond Joy
When it comes to candy bars, Almond Joys have got to be up there! Dark chocolate combined with coconut and almond is a classic combo. Invented in New Haven back in 1946, the candy bar was a success. We think it might be even better when those ingredients are swirled into ice cream!
These are the best artisan ice cream brands.
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Delaware: Mint Chip
For the last three years and running, mint chip has been Delaware’s fave, based on how often Delaware folks tweet about it. Who can blame them? Mint and chocolate is an iconic combo.
Love mint? Try these recipes!
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Florida: Orange Cream
Floridians love their oranges and they love their ice cream—it’s the best way to cool off on a hot day. Put these two ingredients together for an amazing citrus treat: Dreamsicle ice cream.
Love citrus? Try these orange recipes.
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Georgia: Peach Anything
This is hands-down one of the best ice cream flavors. Home to the best peaches in the country, it’s no surprise that Georgia is also home to lovers of all peach flavored ice creams. Folks flock to High Road Craft Ice Cream in Atlanta for their Bellini ice cream. But Georgian home cooks make their own renditions of peach ice cream, too! Just check out this recipe from Marguerite Ethridge in Americus, Georgia.
Make use of fresh peaches with these tasty recipes.
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Hawaii: Ube
As America’s most exotic destination, you can expect an exotic flavor to rank as one of the top ice creams. On the islands, Hawaiians love ube ice cream. Ube is a type of purple-hued yam that’s native to tropical locales. (Learn how to make ube bread, too!) It has a sweet, vanilla-esque flavor with some floral notes—sounds delish to us! And with that beautiful lavender color, we aren’t surprised why this ice cream flies off the shelves and out of the ice cream shops.
Get your fix of Hawaiian cuisine with these recipes right from the Aloha State.
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Idaho: Huckleberry
Huckleberry is the state fruit of Idaho, so it’s no wonder locals love to incorporate the berry into all kinds of treats like this huckleberry cheese pie and ice cream. The tart huckleberry makes for a great compliment to creamy sweet ice cream and you can find the combination at local ice cream shops statewide.
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Illinois: Chocolate Malt
Back in the day, Chicago-based Walgreens stores served up malted milkshakes at the counter and helped popularize the drink nationwide. While the chain may have stopped serving ice cream, folks in Illinois never lost their taste for chocolate malt—now they prefer it by the scoop instead of served up in a glass.
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Indiana: Chocolate
Indiana ranks second in the nation in ice cream production (second only to California). It also happens to be where Edy’s Ice Cream is headquartered. This brand receives consistently good reviews for its stellar chocolate ice cream from all sorts of media outlets (Taste of Home included—check out our test!), so it’s no wonder the flavor is one of Indiana’s favorites, too!
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Iowa: Bunny Tracks
Ice cream giant Blue Bunny calls Iowa home. Outside of vanilla, Bunny Tracks is the brand’s most popular flavor. The combination of vanilla ice cream, caramel, fudge swirls, chocolate-covered peanuts and peanut butter is too good to resist!
Check out other iconic Iowa treats here!
If vanilla is the only flavor that keeps you intrigued in the ice cream game, don’t forget to try these vanilla ice cream desserts that can turn the classic ice cream flavor into fun.
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Kansas: Purple Pride
At Kansas State University, the Call Hall Dairy Bar is an ice-cream tradition, and while vanilla sells more scoops, and there are 40 core flavors available, nothing screams “K-State Purple Pride” like the blueberry ice cream known as “Purple Pride.” Annually, the dairy bar goes through about 250 three-gallon tubs of it! “Purple is our color and the color we bleed and eat through the amazing ice cream Call Hall sells,” according to the K-State Collegian.
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Kentucky: Bourbon Vanilla
Leave it to Kentucky to blend their most popular export into ice cream for a tempting treat. Flavors like bourbon-vanilla, bourbon-pecan and bourbon-praline are popular statewide.
Add a little bourbon to your favorite dishes with these recipes.
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Louisiana: Praline Pecan
Walk the streets of New Orleans and you’ll stumble on confectionary after confectionary selling homemade pralines. These delicious treats made from brown sugar, cream, butter and pecans are a must for tourists and locals—whether you eat them solo or mixed into a creamy ice cream.
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Maine: Blueberry
Maine is famous for its blueberries. These tart berries make a great addition to all kinds of treats—just check out all these blueberry recipes—including ice cream!
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Maryland: Maryland Mud
We’ve all heard of Mississippi Mud before, but what about Maryland Mud? This ice cream, created in Baltimore, consists of a chocolate base with chocolate chips and Oreo pieces. This one’s for the chocolate lovers (so are these decadent desserts)!
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Massachusetts: Maple Nut
It’s maple walnut ice cream that is closest the hearts of those who live in Massachusetts, according to New England Today. Creamy maple ice cream studded with crunchy walnuts is hard to beat.
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Michigan: Superman
“The origins of Superman ice cream are a bit of a mystery,” according to Michigan Live, but that doesn’t stop Michiganders from gobbling down this super sweet treat by the gallon each summer. This yellow, red and blue ice cream is typically a blend of cherry, lemon (or vanilla) and Blue Moon ice cream (skip ahead to Wisconsin to hear more about that mystery flavor!).
In addition to Superman ice cream, you know you’re from the midwest if you’ve tried any of these foods!
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Minnesota: Salted Caramel
The home cook from Montevideo, Minnesota,points out that Minnesota folks “take winter seriously.” But when it comes to ice cream flavors, they’re all about beach-y sunshine and sea salt breezes. According to Walmart, the flavor that flies off the shelf in Minnesota, more than all others is Sea Salt Caramel!
For a taste of Minnesota savory food culture, there’s nothing like “Hot Dish.”
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Mississippi: Mississippi Mud
Of course, Mississippians love Mississippi Mud ice cream. This ice cream starts with a chocolate base swirled with fudge, chocolate cookies, nuts and sometimes even some coffee. The result is a super-rich ice cream that no one can resist!
Try our take on Mississippi Mud with our easy 13×9 dessert.
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Missouri: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Did you know that the waffle cone was invented in St. Louis during the World’s Fair in 1904. Thank you, St. Louis for that amazing treat! Now 100+ years later, Missourians like to fill their cones with cookie dough ice cream according to Twitter.
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Montana: S’mores
Out in the wilderness of Montana, you can bet there are plenty of s’mores being made. And you can bet there are plenty of s’mores ice cream, too! Revamp your s’mores at home with these tips and grab a big scoop of ice cream to eat alongside.
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Nebraska: Butter Brickle
Sure, Nebraska folks like to tweet about cookie dough-flavored ice cream, but the classic Nebraska flavor happens to be Butter Brickle, which was invented right in Lincoln at the Blackstone Hotel in the 1920s. If you’ve never had it, you’ll want to get on that. It’s a sweet cream ice cream base studded with small, crunchy pieces of golden-brown toffee.
Turn this ice cream into a pie with this easy recipe.
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Nevada: Dark Chocolate
Like Las Vegas, Nevada’s ice cream of choice is a bit over the top. Super rich, decadent dark chocolate ice cream definitely has a home in the Silver State. This dessert is so lush that it doesn’t need an accompaniment.
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New Hampshire: Pumpkin
Folks in New Hampshire take their pumpkin seriously—it’s their state fruit! While we typically associate the squash with fall baking, it works well in ice cream too when combined with all those warming spices like cinnamon and clove.
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New Jersey: Watermelon
In New Jersey, folks like to embrace all that summer has to offer—maybe even heading down to the shore. There, folks love summery sncks, and one of the best ice cream flavors is watermelon. Tourists and locals alike flock to Friendly’s across the state for a slice of their trademark Wattamelon Roll—that’s watermelon and lemon combined with chocolate chip seeds. Yum!
Make your own cool watermelon treats with these recipes.
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New Mexico: Chocolate-Chili
New Mexico is known for its tasty cuisine that turns up the heat—just check out these New Mexican recipes. Of course, the state’s most iconic ice cream flavor brings the heat as well. A rich chocolate with just a hint of chili really adds a kick to the simple dessert.
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New York: New York Cherry
When it comes to ice cream, New Yorkers know how to do it right. Sweet and tart New York Cherry ice cream is the state’s most iconic flavor. We love it because it pairs so well with some homemade hot fudge on top!
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North Carolina: Wolf Tracks
Howling Cow Ice Cream is located on the North Carolina State University campus, sources its milk from the school’s Dairy Research and Teaching Farm, and is famous for its amazing ice cream, but especially for its Wolf Tracks flavor, which combines chocolate and vanilla ice cream, fudge chunks and mini peanut butter cups. “A must-try if you ever find yourself at NC State,” says an NC State student writing for Spoon University.
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North Dakota: Rhubarb Pie
When it comes to ingredients, North Dakotans embrace all things local, like rhubarb. This tart ingredient has a starring role in a handful of the state’s best recipes, and it makes for a great addition to North Dakota’s most iconic ice cream flavor: Rhubarb Pie.
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Ohio: Chocolate-Peanut Butter
It should be no surprise that the Buckeye State’s favorite ice cream is chocolate with peanut butter cups. This play on the classic buckeye treat makes for a super tasty combo (obviously!).
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Oklahoma: Strawberry
Oklahoma’s state fruit is strawberries. While these berries can be used in sweet and savory dishes, maybe the best strawberry creation of all is ice cream. Sweet and slightly tart, we think it goes great with a few chocolate shavings on top!
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Oregon: Berries and Cream
The Beaver State is home to a handful of wild berries—from blueberries to blackberries to marionberries. When it comes time for desserts, Oregonians love to mix in these fresh finds wherever they can, including in ice cream.
Get more Oregon recipes here.
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Pennsylvania: Brownie
Based on the sheer volume of brownie-flavor ice cream tweets coming out of Pennsylvania, it seems that there’s this is one of the best ice cream flavors in Pennsylvania. Could it have something to do with the fact that Hershey’s is a Pennsylvania staple and has been for as long as anyone can remember? Speaking of which, have you tried the Hershey’s Gold bar yet? Yum!
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Rhode Island: Espresso
Rhode Islanders can’t get enough coffee. In fact, coffee milk is their state beverage. It’s no wonder, then, that this tiny state loves Espresso ice cream for a little pick me up.
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South Carolina: Pay Day
In South Carolina, boiled peanuts are the state’s official snack food. When South Carolinians are enjoying dessert instead of a simple snack, they still reach for peanuts—just accompanied by caramel and vanilla ice cream.
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South Dakota: Cookies ‘N Cream
While there is some debate, South Dakota State University claims that the state is the home of this classic ice cream flavor. And who wouldn’t want to claim Cookies ‘N Cream for themselves?
Love this classic combo? Try these recipes.
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Tennessee: Cotton Candy
Cotton candy was invented in Nashville in 1897. Many years later the treat’s popularity endures, although you’re just as likely to find it as a flavoring as a candy itself. Tennesseans love their creation, especially when swirled into ice cream.
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Texas: Homemade Vanilla
Brenham, Texas is home to Blue Bell Creameries. While the brand is popular across the country, Texans count themselves among the brand’s biggest fans. Of Blue Bell’s dozens of flavors, one consistently rises to the top: Homemade Vanilla. Sweet and simple, this ice cream goes well with these Texas-sized desserts.
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Utah: Cherry Chip
Utah’s state fruit is the cherry, so it stands to reason that the most popular flavor in the state relies on its tart flavor. Unlike New York, Utahns like their cherry ice cream with a little something extra: chocolate chips! This flavor is good on its own, but try sandwiching it between two cookies for a decadent ice cream sandwich.
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Vermont: Teaberry
“With a color as bright as bubblegum and the undeniable taste of wintergreen,” according to Daily Break, teaberry ice cream is only found in New England. It’s made from the teaberry, which is also found only in New England (naturally!). Vermont ice cream lovers crave a nice teaberry cone when they’re not devouring their home state’s Ben & Jerry’s latest flavor.
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Virginia: Caramel Apple
Home to Jamestown, the first American colony, it stands to reason that the state’s iconic ice cream flavor would be as American as apple pie (or close to it). Caramel Apple combines flavors we all love with one of Virginia’s premier crops: apples!
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Washington: Everything Coffee
The state that brought us Starbucks tweets a lot about coffee ice cream. Espresso milkshake from Ferdinand’s, anyone? Anvil espresso flavor from Brain Freeze Creamery? Or how about a double scoop with double chocolate doughnut from Shrug’s Soda Fountain and Creamery? The list goes on and on!
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West Virginia: Black Walnut
In West Virginia, folks can’t get enough of black walnut ice cream. This nutty flavor is served up at sweet shops across the state like Austin’s in Kenova (which is often considered the best place to get a scoop).
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Wisconsin: Blue Moon
It’s the color of Smurfs and has a taste that everyone loves, but no one can quite identify (is it Froot Loops? Is it almond? Is it marshmallow? Is it animal crackers?!). We’re talking about Wisconsin’s signature ice cream flavor: Blue Moon. Its origins are unclear but seem to be linked to someone who worked at Milwaukee’s Petran Products in the 1950s, according to Atlas Obscura.
Want to make your own blue food? You’ll have to use this vegetable!
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Wyoming: Oatmeal Cookie Dough
Who doesn’t love a cowboy cookie? These oatmeal cookies are loaded with all sorts of tasty ingredients from chocolate chips to coconut making for one of the best ice cream flavors. Now take that cookie dough and mix it into ice cream and you’ve got a real winner (and the state’s most iconic ice cream flavor).
Get more recipes from Wyoming here.
These Are the Best Homemade Ice Cream Recipes
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Best Ever Vanilla Ice CreamTotal Time: 40 minutes + chilling/freezingMain Ingredients: Whipping cream, 2% milk, vanilla bean, egg yolks, sugarLevel: Advanced
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When you think of a classic vanilla bean ice cream with a creamy texture, this is the one. It's a must-try ice cream recipe for vanillafans, but can also be the tasty foundation for flavors like cookies and cream or strawberry ice cream. After making a custard base on the stove, use your ice cream maker to churn and freeze it.This ice cream is technically a custard since it contains eggs. After lots of testing (and tasting), I've found that eggs are the key to making a smooth and creamy treat that rivals what you can get at a premium ice cream shop. —Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor
Easy Chocolate Ice CreamTotal Time: 30 minutes + freezingMain Ingredients: Half-and-half, cocoa, whipping cream, sugar, vanilla extractLevel: Beginner
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There's no reason not to make your own chocolate ice cream when it's as easy as this. Whip ingredients together in a blender, then process them in an ice cream maker. Serve the ice cream very soft right after processing or pop it in the freezer to firm up. Use up what you don't serve in chocolate ice cream desserts.This super simple chocolate ice cream recipe is the perfect treat at a moment's notice. It's also a bonus that most of the ingredients are kitchen staples. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cookies and Cream Ice CreamTotal Time: 25 minutes Main Ingredients: Oreo cookies, heavy whipping cream, whole milkLevel: Beginner
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Our cookies and cream ice cream doesn’t hold back when it comes to the amount of Oreo cookies inside, creating a smooth vanilla ice cream and crispy Oreo texture that tastes heavenly.You only need five ingredients for this big batch of ice cream. Make sure to try it with your favorite Oreos. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Homemade Strawberry Ice CreamTotal Time: 40 minutes + cooling and freezingMain Ingredients: Sweetened strawberries, whipping cream, egg yolks, milk, sugarLevel: Beginner
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This summery ice cream bursts with fresh strawberries and has a rich base made with egg yolks and cream. It's delicious on its own, but just imagine that flavor folded into ice cream sandwiches, layered into an ice cream cake or smothered under hot fudge. Yum!This creamy, luscious ice cream will remind you of the signature treat served at church ice cream socials. What dessert could be better? —Recipe Contributor Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin
Blueberry Ice CreamTotal Time: 35 minutes + chilling and freezingMain Ingredients: Fresh or frozen blueberries, sugar, half-and-halfLevel: Beginner
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Two summer loves together at last: blueberries and ice cream. Simmer store-bought, frozen or fresh-picked blueberries with sugar, then strain the sweetened juice for the ice cream base. Many readers like to run the pulp through a food mill to add a little texture.The wild blueberries on our property spark recipe ideas. When my daughter and I made this ice cream at a Girl Guide meeting, it was well received. Even today, our 10 children, 19 grandkids and 4 great-grandchildren think it tastes great. —Recipe contributor Alma Mosher, Mohannes, New Brunswick
Disney's Dole WhipTotal Time: 10 minutesMain Ingredients: Frozen pineapple, pineapple juice, vanilla ice creamLevel: Beginner
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This treat is so refreshing on a hot day and takes no time to whip up—pun intended. If you can't wait for your next vacation, it's definitely one of the Disney copycat recipes worth making at home.Your kitchen will be the happiest place on Earth when you serve this sweet-sour treat. The recipe comes directly from the Disneyland app and tastes just like the real deal you'd order at the park. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Coffee Ice CreamTotal Time: 30 minutes + freezingMain Ingredients: Instant coffee, whole milk, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, whipping creamLevel: Intermediate
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No ice cream maker necessary for this recipe. Instead, blend a coffee sauce with sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream and pop it straight into the freezer. This coffee ice cream is even better with mix-ins like chocolate chips, crushed Oreos or chocolate-covered espresso beans.I combined two recipes—one for vanilla ice cream and the other for a special coffee sauce—to create this homemade coffee ice cream. I serve it plain, scooped into a dessert dish, so the creamy coffee flavor can be enjoyed to the fullest. —Recipe contributor Theresa Hansen, Pensacola, Florida
Homemade Pumpkin Ice CreamTotal Time: 35 minutes + freezingMain Ingredients: Canned pumpkin, whipping cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, clovesLevel: Beginner
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All the spiced warmth of a pumpkin pie is captured in this easy ice cream recipe. Just whisk the ingredients together and process them in your ice cream maker. Top it off with a drizzle of caramel or crumbled ginger cookies.Folks who favor the flavor of pumpkin really need to try this spiced pumpkin ice cream recipe. But be prepared to make more! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Rocky Road Ice CreamTotal Time: 35 minutes + cooling and freezingMain Ingredients: Half-and-half, whole milk, whipping cream, sugar, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, chopped pecansLevel: Beginner
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Rocky road is a textural masterpiece loaded with nuts, chocolate chunks and marshmallows. The recipe makes more than a gallon of ice cream, plenty to feed the whole crowd. When you're not serving a big group, halve the recipe for a smaller batch.My daughters always want to put this rocky road ice cream in cones just like the ice cream shops do. We especially like the marshmallows, chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Sometimes we even add extra chips on top...and whipped cream too. —Recipe contributor Dale Langford Atwater, California
Peppermint Ice CreamTotal Time: 35 minutes + chilling and freezingMain Ingredients: Whipping cream, half-and-half, peppermint extract, crushed peppermint candiesLevel: Intermediate
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You might be more likely to pull this recipe out around Christmas, but peppermint ice cream really is good all year round. Crushed peppermints or candy canes are folded into a frozen custard base. Churned in your ice cream machine, it has a creamy texture and cool, minty flavor.With flecks of mint candy, this peppermint ice cream recipe is perfect for the holidays. —Recipe contributor Berneice Metcalf, Leavenworth, Washington
Chunky Banana Cream FreezeTotal Time: 15 minutes + freezingMain Ingredients: Frozen bananas, almond milk, chopped walnuts, peanut butter, unsweetened shredded coconutLevel: Beginner
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When you take a bite you'd never guess that this ice cream has no added sugar or heavy cream. The secret to the smooth texture is frozen bananas, which whip up beautifully in a blender with almond milk and peanut butter to create the ice cream base.Everyone loves ice cream, but we all know it doesn't make a great after-school snack. Until this! With its sweet banana-almond flavor and chunky texture, this appealing banana peanut butter "ice cream" is a crowd-pleaser. People who ask me for the recipe can't believe how easy it is to make. —Recipe contributor Kristen Bloom, Okinawa, Japan
Coconut Ice CreamTotal Time: 1 hour + cooling and freezingMain Ingredients: Whole milk, heavy cream, shredded coconut, sugar, vanilla extractLevel: Beginner
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You'll love the real coconut flavor in this ice cream. It comes from shredded coconut simmered with milk and from more coconut folded into the ice cream mixture. Try it with your favorite ice cream toppings (like M&M's or crushed Heath Bar) or use coconut ice cream to make frozen, tropical co*cktails.This coconut ice cream recipe is a refreshing dessert that can cap off a warm summer evening. It has a nice coconut flavor without being too strong. —Recipe contributor Tamra Kriedeman, Enderlin, North Dakota
Strawberry GelatoTotal Time: 35 minutes + chilling and freezingMain Ingredients: Strawberries, whole milk, whipping cream, sugar, corn syrup, honey, sea saltLevel: Beginner
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It's easy to make this smooth strawberry gelato in your ice cream maker—and no pre-cooking is necessary. Honey and a little corn syrup sweeten the mixture, plus help keep the texture of the gelato silky smooth.You'll love this smooth and creamy gelato with bright strawberry flavor and just a hint of sea salt and honey. Fresh raspberries or blackberries can be substituted for the strawberries if you prefer. If your berries are tart, add a touch more sugar or honey. —Recipe contributor Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
Contest-Winning Butter Pecan Ice CreamTotal Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes + chilling and freezingMain Ingredients: Chopped pecans, brown sugar, half-and-half, eggs, whipping cream, butterLevel: Intermediate
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A creamy, brown sugar and vanilla base holds crunchy pecans that are toasted in butter. Whisk a bit of the hot cream into the eggs to temper them, bringing their temperature up without scrambling them. It's an important step, so don't skip it!This rich buttery ice cream sure beats store-bought versions. And with its pretty color and plentiful pecan crunch, it's nice enough to serve guests at a summer party. —Recipe contributor Jenny White, Glen, Mississippi
London Fog Ice CreamTotal Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes + chilling and freezingMain Ingredients: Earl Grey tea bags, half-and-half, whole milk, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla beanLevel: Intermediate
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The classic London fog latte inspired this ice cream, with the irresistible bergamot orange flavor of Earl Grey tea. It's an unexpected and sophisticated ice cream that's perfect for special occasions like Mother's Day, showers or dinner parties.I took one of my favorite coffee shop beverages and turned it into this elegant London fog ice cream. For a star dessert, serve it with lemon sandwich cookies or in a simple glass rimmed with sugar, lavender and lemon zest. —Recipe contributor Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Bourbon Ice CreamTotal Time: 40 minutes + chilling and freezingMain Ingredients: Heavy cream, 2% milk, brown sugar, egg yolks, bourbon, vanilla extractLevel: Intermediate
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Bourbon-spiked recipes are some of our favorites to use for (grown-up) game nights or birthday parties. Sundaes made with bourbon ice cream and toppings like cherries, chocolate or caramel are next-level dreamy!The brown sugar in this decadent bourbon ice cream gives a hint of caramel flavor, which complements the bourbon. When the custard is still liquid, before it goes into the ice cream maker, add more or less bourbon to suit your taste. —Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor
Homemade Ice Cream SandwichesTotal Time: 35 minutes + freezingMain Ingredients: Boxed chocolate cake mix, shortening, butter, egg, ice creamLevel: Intermediate
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Make your own chocolaty, cakey wafers to hold a generous helping of premade ice cream (store-bought or one of the tasty recipes in this collection). Just like the ice cream sandwiches you'd buy at the store, you can store these in the freezer for up to three months.Why settle for store-bought ice cream sandwiches when you can have ones that taste even better and aren't that difficult to make? —Recipe contributor Kea Fisher, Bridger, Montana
Best Banana Ice CreamTotal Time: 35 minutes + chilling and freezingMain Ingredients: Ripe bananas, half-and-half, whipping cream, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extractLevel: Intermediate
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Here's a truly indulgent banana ice cream, made with an egg and cream custard base and churned up in your ice cream maker. It's a brilliant way to use up brown bananas, which are wonderfully sweet in this dessert and blend smoothly into the mixture.My son-in-law says this is the best banana ice cream he's ever had. It's always requested at family gatherings. —Recipe contributor Donna Robbins, Skiatook, Oklahoma
Cottage Cheese Ice CreamTotal Time: 5 minutes + freezingMain Ingredients: Cottage cheese, honey, peanut butterLevel: Beginner
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This cottage cheese ice cream is enriched with peanut butter and sweetened with a drizzle of honey, but it can be customized to fulfill all your healthy ice cream fantasies.Thick, creamy and subtly sweet, this cottage cheese ice cream comes together in just five minutes and is packed with protein. Perfect for a light treat after dinner, you can also use peanut butter, chocolate chips or berries to vary the flavor. —Recipe contributor Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Rhubarb Crumble Ice CreamTotal Time: 35 minutes + cooling and freezingMain Ingredients: Fresh or frozen rhubarb, oats, sugar, whipping cream, half-and-half, cinnamon, vanilla extractLevel: Intermediate
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Instead of topping a fruit crumble with ice cream, this brilliant recipe folds the crumble right into the ice cream mixture! It's a perfect summertime dessert for picnics and cookouts.This rhubarb crumble ice cream combines two of my favorite desserts into one fantastic creation! If you close your eyes, it actually tastes like you're taking a bite of fresh rhubarb crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Throw this into a waffle cone and enjoy a classic summertime treat! —Recipe contributor Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Triple Chocolate Ricotta Ice CreamTotal Time: 40 minutes + freezingMain Ingredients: Whole milk ricotta cheese, whole milk, whipping cream, cream cheese, sugar, milk and dark chocolate, cocoaLevel: Beginner
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Ricotta cheese recipes are creamy and milky—and ice cream is no different. Chocolate lovers, this one's for you: The ricotta base is blended with cocoa and melted chocolate, with dark chocolate chunks added near the end of the mixing time.You're going to fall in love with this thick, luxuriously rich ice cream made with ricotta cheese. It has a creamy texture that can't be beat. —Recipe contributor Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Almond Butter Swirl Ice CreamTotal Time: 25 minutes + freezingMain Ingredients: Coconut milk, almond milk, almond butter, sugar, chocolate chips, sea saltLevel: Beginner
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This homemade ice cream is completely dairy-free and it's really easy to make. The no-cook base combines almond and coconut flavors, with chocolate chips added as it churns in the ice cream maker.Warm weather days require ice cream! However, dealing with dairy intolerances can be tricky. This dairy-free recipe is a favorite at our house, especially with kids! —Recipe contributor Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Ice CreamTotal Time: 40 minutes + freezingMain Ingredients: Fresh strawberries, cream cheese, whipping cream, half-and-half, lemon juice and zest, sugarLevel: Beginner
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An easy-to-make ice cream recipe that tastes exactly like a piece of strawberry cheesecake. Enjoy it scooped into dishes or cones, or try something really unique—like turning it into an ice cream pie with a graham cracker crust. When you're serving it for guests, add scoops to shortcakes with sliced strawberries and whipped cream!When I got my ice cream maker, a friend shared her dreamy freezy cheesecake recipe. For guests, I scoop this into tart shells. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TexasHomemade Ice Cream FAQWhat ingredients do you need to make homemade ice cream?To make homemade ice cream, you often need heavy cream, whipping cream and half-and-half (or a combination). Their high levels of milk fat, along with the air incorporated during churning, give ice cream a smooth and creamy texture. Sugar is another important ingredient, so you'll need granulated sugar, corn syrup, brown sugar or sweetened condensed milk, depending on the recipe. Sugar adds sweetness and keeps the ice cream softer once it's frozen. To create a really rich ice cream, recipes call for eggs or egg yolks, which are used to create a cooked custard base.Once you have these essentials you can choose other ingredients to flavor your ice cream like extracts, spices, cocoa, cookies and fruit.How long does a home ice cream maker need to run?A home ice cream maker's churning cycle is typically around 20 minutes; check the manufacturer's instructions for your model. Be sure all the ingredients you add to the machine are very cold to help the process go more quickly. Depending on the size of your machine, you may need to process your ice cream mixture in batches—the cylinder should only be filled two-thirds of the way since the ice cream will expand as it freezes.Can you make ice cream without an ice cream maker?Yes! Some recipes call for the liquid mixture to simply be frozen until solid—ice creams made this way will have an icy texture. To achieve a creamy texture without an ice cream maker, pour the ice cream mixture into a 13x9-inch baking dish and freeze it for 30 minutes. Beat the mixture with a hand mixer, and freeze for another 30 minutes. Repeat these steps four or five times until the ice cream is firm.How long does homemade ice cream last in the freezer?Transfer your homemade ice cream into freezer-safe containers. Ice cream fanatics can even invest in special ice cream storage tubs. Press a sheet of waxed paper or plastic wrap to the surface of the ice cream to prevent crystals from forming, then cover the container tightly. Store your homemade ice cream in the freezer for two to three months.
Related: Pick up an extra pint to make these recipes with ice cream.
Originally Published: March 05, 2024
Author
Lisa Kaminski
Lisa is a former editor of Taste of Home and a fantastic baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Taste of Home’s Bakeable community. She also tested ingredients and kitchen gear. Today, Lisa continues to share her passion for baking and embroidery on her blog Cabin in the City.
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Author
Lauren Cahn
Lauren Cahn is a New York-based writer whose work has appeared regularly in The Huffington Post as well as a variety of other publications since 2008 on such topics as life and style, popular culture, law, religion, health, fitness, yoga, entertaining and entertainment. She is also a writer of crime fiction; her first full-length manuscript, The Tr...
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