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.
Jeni’s Salty Caramel & Smoked Almond Ice Cream 🍨🥜 (Sweet & Smoky Crunch)
JojoM adapted from Jeni Britton Bauer
50 min
Jeni’s Savannah Buttermint Ice Cream 🍬🌿 (Cool & Creamy Classic)
JojoM adapted from Jeni Britton Bauer
35 min
Jeni’s Sun-Popped Corn Ice Cream 🌽☀️ (Sweet & Salty Summer Scoop)
JojoM adapted from Jeni Britton Bauer
35 min
Jeni’s Sweet Potato & Torched Marshmallow Ice Cream 🍠🔥 (Cozy Fall Treat)
JojoM adapted from Jeni Britton Bauer
35 min
Jeni’s Whiskey & Pecans Ice Cream 🥃🌰 (Nutty Bourbon Delight)
JojoM adapted from Jeni Britton Bauer
45 min
Jeni’s Wildberry Lavender Ice Cream 💜🍓 (Floral & Fruity Classic)
JojoM adapted from Jeni Britton Bauer
55 min
Magnum Caramel Ice Cream Bars – No Machine Needed
Damien Pichon adapted by JojoM
90 min
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
- Chocolate icon: Jeni’s Darkest Chocolate Ice Cream 🍫 (Intensely Rich & Creamy)
- Caramel favourite: Jeni’s Salty Caramel Ice Cream 🍨 (Egg-Free & Ultra Creamy)
- Crunchy classic: Jeni’s Brown Butter Almond Brittle Ice Cream 🍨✨
- Summer swirl: Jeni’s Brambleberry Crisp Ice Cream 🍓 (Blackberry & Blackcurrant Swirl)
- Base to master: Jeni’s Famous Cream Cheese Ice Cream Base 🍦 (Egg-Free & Ultra Creamy)
Make-Ahead & Storage
| Item | Fridge | Freezer | Reheat/Serve Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeni’s Cream Cheese Ice Cream Base | 2–3 days (base only) | n/a | Age base 12–24 h; churn well-chilled for smallest ice crystals. |
| Jeni’s Darkest Chocolate Ice Cream | n/a | 2–3 months | Temper 5–10 min at room temp; warm scoop. |
| Jeni’s Salty Caramel Ice Cream | n/a | 2–3 months | Cover surface with parchment to prevent ice crystals. |
| Jeni’s Brambleberry Crisp Ice Cream | n/a | 2 months | Keep swirl sauce thick; fold gently to avoid bleed. |
| Jeni’s Cookies in Cream Ice Cream | n/a | 2 months | Add cookies at soft-serve stage to keep crunch. |
| Jeni’s Goat Cheese & Red Cherry Ice Cream | n/a | 2 months | Balance tang with a honey drizzle at serve. |
Compare Popular Options
| Dish/Item | Time | Skill | Make-ahead | Best with / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darkest Chocolate | 45–60 min + chill | Intermediate | ★★★★☆ | High solids; ultra-dense chocolate lovers’ pick. |
| Salty Caramel | 45–60 min + chill | Intermediate | ★★★★☆ | Caramelise sugar deeply; cool fast to avoid bitterness. |
| Brambleberry Crisp | 60–75 min + chill | Intermediate | ★★★☆☆ | Bake crunchy bits dry; ripple thick jammy sauce. |
| Brown Butter Almond Brittle | 60–75 min + chill | Advanced | ★★★☆☆ | Cook brittle hard-crack; fold in at end. |
| Cream Cheese Base | 20–25 min + chill | Easy | ★★★★★ | Egg-free, reliable body; customise flavours easily. |
| Lemon & Blueberry Parfait | 60–70 min + chill | Intermediate | ★★★☆☆ | 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).