Christmas Ice Cream is an ideal homemade holiday treat: rich and creamy with warm vanilla notes, festive red and green sprinkles, and crunchy pieces of Christmas cookies folded in.
This recipe is made Philadelphia-style, meaning it’s churned in an ice cream maker but contains no eggs, so it’s simpler than a custard-based French-style ice cream while still delivering a smooth, creamy texture.
Depending on your cookie choice, this Christmas cookie ice cream can be made gluten-free and nut-free.
Christmas Cookie Ice Cream is straightforward to make and perfect for holiday gatherings. A creamy vanilla base is enhanced with chopped crunchy cookies and festive sprinkles for color and crunch.
This flavor brings back fond family memories: ice cream cakes, ice cream rolls, peppermint or vanilla scoops in hot cocoa. It’s versatile and nostalgia-inducing—great for starting a new holiday tradition.
Serve this alongside other winter flavors to create an ice cream sundae bar for parties. Colorful options like funfetti or bubblegum-style ice creams can add a playful touch to your dessert spread.
Why You’re Going to Love this Christmas Ice Cream Recipe
Simple to Make: No cooking and no eggs—just mix, chill, and churn. The recipe uses everyday ingredients and an ice cream maker for reliable results.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Clear directions and helpful tips make this recipe friendly for beginners and experienced ice cream makers alike.
Festive Colors: Red and green sprinkles pop against the white ice cream and make it instantly Christmassy.
No Eggs: This churned recipe achieves a creamy texture without egg yolks, keeping the process simpler and quicker.
Clean Ingredients: Homemade ice cream avoids many of the additives and preservatives found in some store-bought brands.
Ingredients in Homemade Christmas Ice Cream
Heavy Cream – Provides richness and a creamy mouthfeel.
Whole Milk – Balances the cream to produce a smooth, scoopable texture.
Granulated Sugar – Sweetens and helps with texture; make sure it dissolves fully.
Vanilla Extract – Use a good-quality pure vanilla for warm, fragrant flavor.
Kosher Salt – Enhances and balances the sweetness.
Christmas Sugar Cookies – Crunchy cookies that you chop into small pieces. Choose cookies that stay crisp when frozen.
Holiday Sprinkles – Opt for jimmies (rod-shaped sprinkles) rather than nonpareils to avoid color bleeding into the base.
What Kind of Cookies Go in Christmas Cookie Ice Cream?
Crunchy vanilla-flavored cookies work best: store-bought sugar cookies, vanilla wafers, shortbread, or butter cookies. Gluten-free crunchy sugar cookies are a good option if you need a gluten-free version.
For a more seasonal twist, try crispy anise-flavored cookies or gingerbread cookies for warm spice notes. Homemade cut-out cookies also make a delightful addition if you prefer to bake your own.
How to make Christmas Ice Cream from Scratch
- In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract and kosher salt.
- Whisk for 2–3 minutes until the sugar is fully dissolved; the mixture should feel smooth with no gritty sugar.
- Churn the mixture in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
- In the last two minutes of churning, fold in the chopped Christmas cookies and ½ cup of the holiday sprinkles, reserving the remaining sprinkles.
- Transfer the ice cream to a shallow container or loaf pan and sprinkle the reserved sprinkles on top.
- Press plastic wrap or wax paper directly onto the surface and freeze for at least 4 hours, until firm. Let sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before scooping.
These steps reflect the straightforward process for churned ice cream. Adjust chilling times as needed based on your equipment and freezer.
How to Store Christmas Ice Cream
Store in an airtight container in the freezer with a piece of parchment or wax paper pressed to the surface to prevent ice crystals. Properly stored, it keeps well for up to one month.
Tips for Making this Christmas Ice Cream
Use quality ingredients: Better cream and vanilla result in a noticeably better ice cream.
Chill ingredients: Cold ingredients help the mixture churn properly and create a creamier texture.
Keep the fat: Full-fat dairy yields the best texture; low-fat versions can turn out icy.
Mind your mix-ins: Limit add-ins to one or two, chopped small (no larger than a blueberry) so scoops hold together.
Don’t skimp on sugar: Sugar improves texture and scoopability as well as flavor.
No-churn Christmas Ice Cream Directions
Chill a shallow container or loaf pan while you mix the base. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and freeze for 3–4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours to incorporate air and help keep the texture smooth.
Christmas Ice Cream Add-ins
Beyond the cookies and sprinkles, consider one subtle addition: white chocolate shavings, chopped walnuts, or a light swirl of buttercream frosting. A pinch of cinnamon in the base can add warm, seasonal flavor.
Other Ways to Enjoy Christmas Ice Cream
- Make Christmas ice cream sundaes with hot fudge and extra cookie crumbles.
- Create ice cream sandwiches by placing softened scoops between two cookies.
- Use softened ice cream in a premade crust for an easy ice cream pie.
What type of sprinkles are best in homemade ice cream?
Choose jimmies (rod-shaped sprinkles) made from colored dough to avoid bleeding into the ice cream. Nonpareils and some sugar-coated varieties can release dye and discolor the base.
Why is homemade ice cream hard to scoop?
Homemade ice cream can be quite firm straight from the freezer. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften for easy scooping. Commercial ice creams often include stabilizers that keep them softer when frozen; homemade versions rely on proper chilling and resting time instead.
Is it weird to eat ice cream in the winter?
Not at all. Ice cream can be a comforting winter treat—especially when paired with warm drinks or enjoyed while cozy indoors.
More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes to Make
- Cookie Butter Ice Cream
- Black Raspberry Ice Cream
- Marshmallow Ice Cream
- Java Chip Ice Cream
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Christmas Ice Cream
6 Servings
15 minutes
20 minutes
4 hours
4 hours 35 minutes
Christmas Ice Cream is the perfect homemade ice cream recipe for Christmas. It’s rich and creamy with warm vanilla, holiday sprinkles, and bits of Christmas cookies mixed in.
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup Christmas sugar cookies, roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup holiday sprinkles, divided
Instructions
- Chill the ice cream bowl for at least 24 hours or until solid.
- In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract and kosher salt. Whisk 2–3 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
- Churn the mixture in your ice cream machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency (about 20–25 minutes for many machines).
- During the last two minutes of churning, add the chopped cookies and ½ cup of the sprinkles, reserving the rest.
- Transfer to a shallow container, top with the remaining sprinkles, press plastic wrap to the surface, and freeze for at least 4 hours.
- Let sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping for easiest serving.
Notes
- Ensure the granulated sugar is fully dissolved for a smooth texture; the mixture should feel non-gritty between your fingers.
- Make sure the mixture is very cold before churning; refrigerate for 30 minutes if needed.
- Use jimmies-style sprinkles to avoid color bleeding. Avoid overmixing after adding sprinkles so colors don’t run.
- Use your favorite crunchy Christmas cookies: sugar, anise, gingerbread, or butter cookies all work well.
- Optional add-ins: white chocolate shavings, chopped walnuts, or a pinch of cinnamon for warmth.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 694Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 229mgCarbohydrates: 69gFiber: 0gSugar: 56gProtein: 5g
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