As the scent of fresh-baked cookies lingers in the air, I find myself reminiscing about those cozy holiday vibes. This year, I wanted to elevate my seasonal treats with something extraordinary: No-Churn Christmas Cookie Ice Cream. Imagine turning leftover cookies into a chill, creamy dessert that captures all the warmth of the festive season. Not only is this recipe a fabulous way to repurpose those sweet remnants, but it’s also incredibly simple, making it perfect for last-minute gatherings or quiet nights in. With the delightful crunch of sugar cookies combined with a hint of cinnamon and sprinkled cheer, it’s truly a festive delight that everyone will love. Who’s ready to scoop up this holiday magic?

Why Is This Ice Cream So Irresistible?

Simplicity at Its Finest: This no-churn recipe comes together in mere minutes, ensuring that even novice cooks can impress their friends and family.

Festive Flavors: With warm cinnamon and crumbled sugar cookies, each bite transports you to a cozy holiday atmosphere, making it a perfect treat for festive gatherings.

Versatile Treat: While I love using leftover sugar cookies, feel free to experiment with your favorite cookies—whether it’s chocolate chip or gingerbread, the possibilities are endless.

Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: This ice cream is not only delicious but also visually stunning with vibrant sprinkles, perfect for sharing with loved ones at gatherings.

Storage Made Easy: Keep it in the freezer for up to two months, ensuring that you have a ready-to-serve dessert for impromptu celebrations or cozy movie nights at home. Don’t forget to check out my recipe for Cheesy Christmas Lasagna for a complete festive meal idea!

Christmas Cookie Ice Cream Ingredients

Dive into this festive delight with ease!

For the Ice Cream Base
• Heavy Cream – Provides richness and creaminess, essential for a luscious texture.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk – Adds the perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess to your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream.
• Vanilla Extract – Enhances the flavor profile, giving the ice cream a delightful sweetness.
• Cinnamon – Infuses warmth and holiday spice; feel free to add nutmeg for an extra cozy touch.
• Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

For the Mix-ins
• Frosted Sugar Cookies – Adds festive flair and delightful texture; swap with your favorite cookies like chocolate chip or shortbread if you prefer.
• Sugar Sprinkles – Brightens the dessert with color and adds a fun crunch; for a less sweet option, use crushed nuts or simply omit.

Enjoy creating your own Christmas Cookie Ice Cream masterpiece, bursting with flavors reminiscent of festive celebrations!

Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Christmas Cookie Ice Cream

Step 1: Whip the Cream
In a large mixing bowl, pour in 2 cups of heavy cream. Using a hand or stand mixer, whip on medium speed for about 3-5 minutes until stiff peaks form—those peaks should hold their shape firmly. This creates a light and fluffy base for your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream, providing that rich creaminess we all crave.

Step 2: Mix the Base Ingredients
In another bowl, combine 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir the mixture gently with a spatula until everything is well incorporated, creating a sweet and spiced mixture that will complement the whipped cream perfectly in your ice cream.

Step 3: Combine the Mixtures
Carefully fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture using a spatula. Take your time to ensure they merge gently; we want to keep that fluffy texture intact. This harmonious blend is the cornerstone of your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream, making it wonderfully airy and rich.

Step 4: Fold in the Cookies
Crush or crumble your choice of frosted sugar cookies, about 1 to 1.5 cups, and fold them into the creamy mixture. Gently incorporate the cookie pieces, letting their delightful texture mingle with the ice cream base. This is where the magic happens, as every scoop of your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream will contain those festive flavors.

Step 5: Layer into the Loaf Pan
Spoon about one-third of the ice cream mixture into a 9×5 loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Next, sprinkle a handful of sugar sprinkles over the layer. Repeat this process twice more, creating layers until all the mixture is used up, with sprinkles on top. The colorful layers will add a festive touch to your ice cream!

Step 6: Freeze to Perfection
Cover the loaf pan tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the freezer. Allow your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream to freeze for 4 to 5 hours or until it is completely firm. This time allows the flavors to meld beautifully while ensuring that tempting scoopable texture we love in homemade ice cream.

How to Store and Freeze Christmas Cookie Ice Cream

Fridge: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness. However, this ice cream is best enjoyed quickly!

Freezer: Keep your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream in a tightly sealed container in the freezer for up to 2 months. For optimum quality, scoop it directly from the freezer without letting it sit out too long.

Reheating: If your ice cream hardens too much, let it sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before scooping for a softer texture.

Serving Tip: Always serve with a sprinkle of festive sprinkles or more cookie crumbles to enhance the festive experience upon serving!

What to Serve with No-Churn Christmas Cookie Ice Cream

As you indulge in the creamy sweetness of this festive treat, consider these delicious pairings to create a delightful meal experience.

Gingerbread Cookies: The warm spices of gingerbread enhance the holiday flavor and add a lovely crunch when enjoyed alongside the ice cream.
Hot Chocolate Bar: A rich, velvety hot chocolate will beautifully complement the sweetness of the ice cream, creating a cozy dessert experience.
Spiced Apple Cider: Warm, spiced apple cider brings a fruity contrast that cuts through the richness, while his comforting aroma fills the room.
Chocolate Drizzle Brownies: Gooey brownies topped with a drizzle of chocolate add a decadent touch, and their fudgy texture pairs perfectly with the creamy ice cream.
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: These sweet, fluffy donuts provide a nostalgic twist to your dessert spread, echoing the cinnamon notes already present in your ice cream.
Pecan Pie: Rich and nutty, this classic holiday dessert adds delightful depth and is a wonderful choice to serve alongside the chilled sweetness of the ice cream.
Coconut Macaroons: The chewy texture and coconut flavor offer a tropical twist, creating a luxurious contrast to the creamy Christmas Cookie Ice Cream.
Festive Fruit Salad: A mix of seasonal fruits adds a refreshing element, balancing the sweetness and providing a burst of color on the dessert table.
Decadent Coffee: A rich, warm cup of coffee or a flavored latte will elevate the experience, balancing the sweet profile of the ice cream with its bitter notes.

Christmas Cookie Ice Cream Variations

Feel free to get creative with this recipe, transforming each scoop into a delightful new experience!

Dairy-Free: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for a creamy vegan version that doesn’t skimp on flavor. The tropical notes from the coconut will add a lovely twist that pairs surprisingly well with holiday spices.
Different Cookies: Swap out frosted sugar cookies for chocolate chip or gingerbread to create unique flavor profiles. The idea is to let your preferences shine through—experimenting with texture and taste is part of the fun!
Extra Spice: Add a pinch of nutmeg along with the cinnamon for a deeper, more festive flavor. This subtle touch brings warmth and complexity to the ice cream, enhancing the holiday experience with every bite.
Chocolate Lovers: Toss in some chocolate chips or chunks into the mixture for a rich chocolaty flair. This adds a textural twist that every chocolate lover will appreciate—imagine those melty bites mingling with the sweet cookie crunch!
Nutty Delight: Incorporate chopped nuts such as almonds or pecans for added crunch and a hint of nuttiness. They’ll provide a delightful contrast to the creamy ice cream and elevate the overall texture!
Burst of Berry: Swirl in some berry preserves or fresh crushed berries within the layers for a beautiful color and fruity burst of flavor. This will add vibrancy and a refreshing tartness to balance the sweetness.
Swirls of Caramel: Drizzle a caramel sauce into the ice cream mixture before freezing for a decadent touch. The ribbons of caramel will create a rich, gooey surprise within each scoop—oh, my, can you taste it already?
Flavorful Mix-Ins: Enhance your ice cream with a splash of peppermint extract for a minty holiday treat. Paired with crushed candy canes, this variation is perfect for a seasonal celebration. Indulge in the spirit of the season with this refreshing twist!

With these ideas, your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream can become a treasure trove of flavors and textures, ready to delight friends and family. And remember, it pairs beautifully with Cheesy Christmas Tree or a slice of Cheesy Christmas Lasagna for a festive feast they won’t forget!

Make Ahead Options

These Christmas Cookie Ice Cream treats are perfect for meal prep enthusiasts! You can whip up the base and fold in the cookie pieces up to 24 hours in advance, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully while saving you time. To maintain quality, cover the loaf pan tightly with plastic wrap or a lid before freezing. When you’re ready to serve, simply layer the mixture with sprinkles in a container, cover, and freeze for an additional 4-5 hours or until firm. This way, you can have a delicious homemade ice cream ready to impress your guests without the last-minute rush!

Expert Tips for Christmas Cookie Ice Cream

Chill the Cream: Ensure your heavy cream is very cold before whipping; this helps create a lighter texture in your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream.
Gentle Folding: When combining the whipped cream with the condensed milk mixture, fold gently to maintain the airy texture—overmixing can lead to a denser ice cream.
Layering Fun: Use a 9×5 loaf pan for beautiful layers, but any freezer-safe container will work. Just be sure it holds at least 6 cups!
Tasting is Key: Before freezing, taste your mixture! Adjust the spices or sweetness to match your holiday preferences.
Creative Cookie Choices: Don’t hesitate to experiment with various cookie types; flavors like gingerbread or chocolate chip can provide delightful variations to your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream.

Christmas Cookie Ice Cream Recipe FAQs

How do I choose the best cookies for this recipe?
Absolutely! When selecting cookies, look for those that are fresh and not overly hard. For the best results, use frosted sugar cookies as they provide sweetness and texture. If you want to experiment, feel free to incorporate chocolate chip, gingerbread, or shortbread cookies—the more the merrier! Just ensure they’re not stale or too crumbly.

How should I store leftover Christmas Cookie Ice Cream?
For the freshest taste, transfer any leftover Christmas Cookie Ice Cream into a tightly sealed container and store it in the freezer. It’s best enjoyed within 2 months, but it can last up to 3 months if stored properly. Just make sure to scoop straight from the freezer without letting it sit out for too long to maintain that delightful creamy texture!

Can I freeze this Christmas Cookie Ice Cream for later?
Definitely! After you’ve prepared the ice cream, place it in a freezer-safe container and cover it tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Freeze for 4 to 5 hours until it’s firm. For quicker freezing, you can divide the mixture into smaller containers. This way, you’ll have separate portions ready for serving whenever you crave it!

Why is my ice cream not coming out smooth?
If you find your ice cream is too dense, it might have been overmixed during the folding process. When combining the whipped cream with the condensed milk mixture, fold gently until just combined to keep that light airiness intact. Additionally, be sure to whip your heavy cream to stiff peaks, as this is key for achieving the fluffy texture in your Christmas Cookie Ice Cream.

Is this recipe suitable for those with dairy allergies?
Great question! You can make this Christmas Cookie Ice Cream dairy-free by substituting the heavy cream with coconut cream or another dairy-free alternative. Additionally, check any cookies you plan to use, as some may contain dairy. Feel free to get creative with cookie swaps to ensure everyone can enjoy this festive treat!