This Easy Homemade Cookies and Cream Ice Cream is a fun treat that’s creamy and loaded with crunchy cookie pieces. Perfect for a hot day or anytime you crave something sweet!
Making ice cream at home sounds fancy, but it’s super simple! Just mix cream and cookies, freeze, and you’ve got a delicious dessert ready to enjoy. Who doesn’t love that? 🍦
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Heavy Whipping Cream: This gives your ice cream a rich, creamy texture. If you want a lighter version, you can use half-and-half. Just note that it won’t be as rich, but it’ll still taste great!
Whole Milk: This helps balance the creaminess. You could substitute with low-fat milk, but the ice cream may be less creamy. Lactose-free milk works well too if you need a dairy alternative.
Granulated Sugar: The sugar sweetens the mix and contributes to the texture. You can try using brown sugar for a different flavor, or a sugar substitute like Stevia for a low-calorie option.
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies: Oreos are a classic choice but feel free to experiment with any chocolate cookies you have on hand. Gluten-free cookies are also a fantastic alternative!
How Do You Get That Creamy Texture Without an Ice Cream Maker?
If you don’t own an ice cream maker, don’t worry! You can achieve that same creamy texture with a few simple steps. Start by mixing your ingredients well. As the mixture freezes, go back every 30 minutes to stir it. This breaks up ice crystals that form and keeps your ice cream smooth.
- Pour your mixture into a shallow freezer-safe container for quicker freezing.
- After the first freeze of 30 minutes, take it out and stir vigorously with a fork or whisk.
- Repeat this stirring every half hour until it’s creamy and partially frozen (around 3-4 hours).
- Finish by stirring in your cookie pieces during the last hour.
Letting it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping makes it a breeze to serve. Enjoy your creamy treat!
Easy Homemade Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 15-20 chocolate sandwich cookies (e.g., Oreos), coarsely chopped
How Much Time Will You Need?
Start to finish, this delicious ice cream takes about 30 minutes of active preparation time, but you’ll need an additional 4 to 12 hours for freezing. So, it’s great to make it the day before you plan to enjoy it!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Whisk Together the Base:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir well with a whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved. You want the mixture to be nice and smooth.
2. Churn in the Ice Cream Maker:
If you have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into it. Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes, and it’s fun to watch the magic happen!
3. Add the Cookies:
About 5 minutes before finishing the churning process, sprinkle in the coarsely chopped chocolate sandwich cookies. This way, they’ll be evenly distributed throughout your ice cream.
4. No Ice Cream Maker? No Problem!
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, simply pour the mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe container. Place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes. After that, take it out and stir vigorously with a fork or whisk to break up any ice crystals. Repeat this stirring every 30 minutes until the ice cream is creamy and partially frozen (this should take about 3-4 hours). Don’t forget to stir in the chopped cookies when it’s partially frozen!
5. Final Freezing:
Once your ice cream has reached the desired consistency, transfer it to a lidded container and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight to firm up completely.
6. Serving:
Before serving, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes. This will soften it slightly, making it much easier to scoop. Enjoy your creamy, dreamy cookies and cream ice cream!
Happy indulging! 🍦
FAQ for Easy Homemade Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
Can I Use Different Types of Cookies?
Absolutely! While Oreos are a classic choice, feel free to experiment with any chocolate sandwich cookies or even chocolate chip cookies for a twist. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture may vary slightly.
How Long Can I Store This Ice Cream?
You can store this ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2-3 weeks. After that, it may start to lose its texture and flavor. Just remember to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping to make it easier to serve!
Is It Possible to Make a Dairy-Free Version?
Yes! You can substitute the heavy cream and whole milk with full-fat coconut milk or any other plant-based milk like almond or oat milk. Just ensure you use a dairy-free cookie option to keep it completely dairy-free.
What Should I Do If My Ice Cream is Too Hard?
If your ice cream is too hard after freezing, let it sit out at room temperature for about 10 minutes before scooping. This will help soften it for easier serving. You can also try stirring in a little bit of milk to adjust the texture if needed.
