Ice Cream Recipes

Homemade ice cream—Jeni’s-style, gelato vibes, and no-churn twists—with base tips, swirl ideas, and storage for perfect scoops.

Intro

Welcome to our ice cream collection—silky churns, gelato-style scoops, and fun no-churn riffs engineered for maximum flavour and scoopability. You’ll find classics like darkest chocolate and salty caramel, fruit-forward swirls, bakery-inspired mix-ins, and a reliable egg-free base. Expect pro pointers on base pasteurisation, solids and stabilisers, ripening the mix, and fast hardening for smaller ice crystals. Use Quick Picks for crowd-pleasers, the Make-Ahead & Storage chart to plan your churn day, and Compare Popular Options to choose by time, skill, and holding quality.

Quick Picks

Make-Ahead & Storage

ItemFridgeFreezerReheat/Serve Tips
Jeni’s Cream Cheese Ice Cream Base2–3 days (base only)n/aAge base 12–24 h; churn well-chilled for smallest ice crystals.
Jeni’s Darkest Chocolate Ice Creamn/a2–3 monthsTemper 5–10 min at room temp; warm scoop.
Jeni’s Salty Caramel Ice Creamn/a2–3 monthsCover surface with parchment to prevent ice crystals.
Jeni’s Brambleberry Crisp Ice Creamn/a2 monthsKeep swirl sauce thick; fold gently to avoid bleed.
Jeni’s Cookies in Cream Ice Creamn/a2 monthsAdd cookies at soft-serve stage to keep crunch.
Jeni’s Goat Cheese & Red Cherry Ice Creamn/a2 monthsBalance tang with a honey drizzle at serve.

Compare Popular Options

Dish/ItemTimeSkillMake-aheadBest with / Notes
Darkest Chocolate45–60 min + chillIntermediate★★★★☆High solids; ultra-dense chocolate lovers’ pick.
Salty Caramel45–60 min + chillIntermediate★★★★☆Caramelise sugar deeply; cool fast to avoid bitterness.
Brambleberry Crisp60–75 min + chillIntermediate★★★☆☆Bake crunchy bits dry; ripple thick jammy sauce.
Brown Butter Almond Brittle60–75 min + chillAdvanced★★★☆☆Cook brittle hard-crack; fold in at end.
Cream Cheese Base20–25 min + chillEasy★★★★★Egg-free, reliable body; customise flavours easily.
Lemon & Blueberry Parfait60–70 min + chillIntermediate★★★☆☆Bright citrus curd swirl; serve with shortbread.

Techniques That Matter

  • Age the mix: Chill base 12–24 hours to hydrate proteins and stabilisers for smoother texture.
  • Maximise solids: Add cream cheese/milk powder to boost body and reduce iciness.
  • Fast harden: Spread churned ice cream into shallow containers; freeze quickly to set microcrystals.
  • Control mix-ins: Bake crumbs dry and add at soft-serve stage to keep crunch.
  • Swirl science: Keep sauces thick (spoonable, not pourable) and ripple in layers, not stirred.
  • Ice cream math: Aim ~20–22% total sugar and ~35–40% total solids for scoopable texture at home-freezer temps.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

  • Icy texture → Base too warm/under-aged; chill overnight and harden quickly after churn.
  • Grainy caramel → Overcooked or unseeded; add glucose/corn syrup and cool rapidly.
  • Mix-ins sink → Base too thin; increase solids or add at soft-serve consistency.
  • Rock-hard scoop → Sugar too low; increase sucrose/glucose or add a touch of alcohol.
  • Frosty surface → Poor covering; press parchment or cling film directly on the ice cream.

Serving Ideas / Planner’s Notes

  • Portion guide: 1–1½ scoops per person; offer cones, bowls, or warm brownies/waffles.
  • Sundae bar: pair a chocolate, caramel, fruit, and “wildcard” flavour with nuts and sauces.
  • Temper smart: remove tubs 5–10 minutes before scooping; keep scoops in warm water.
  • Pairings: hot espresso (affogato), brûléed fruit, salty nuts, or crisp cookies.
  • Storage flow: use flat containers with tight lids; label date and flavour for easy rotation.

Featured Links

Round out your freezer with classics like Jeni’s Honey Vanilla Bean Ice Cream 🍯✨ (Egg-Free Classic), a fruity fave Jeni’s Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream 🍓🥛 (Tangy & Fruity), and a playful scoop Jeni’s Everything Bagel Ice Cream 🥯✨ (Savory-Sweet Scoop).