Transform your leftover holiday treats into the ultimate festive dessert with this incredible Christmas cookie ice cream. This recipe is wonderfully simple, requiring no ice cream maker, and it’s the perfect way to give your favorite Christmas cookies a second life. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with that assortment of sugar cookies, gingerbread men, and shortbread, this is your delicious answer. We’re combining creamy, velvety vanilla ice cream with crunchy, joyful cookie pieces for a scoop of pure holiday magic.
This dessert is all about easy indulgence. The no-churn base comes together in minutes, creating a rich and smooth texture that rivals any store-bought brand. It’s a fantastic recipe for enthusiastic home cooks looking to impress family and friends with a unique and memorable treat after a big holiday meal. For another easy and impressive dessert, consider this delicious pistachio tiramisu recipe.
Why This Christmas Cookie Ice Cream is a Holiday Must-Have
You are going to absolutely adore this recipe, and here’s why. First, its simplicity is a game-changer during the busy holiday season. With no special equipment needed, it’s accessible to everyone. Second, it’s incredibly versatile. You can mix in any of your favorite Christmas cookies, making each batch a unique creation. Finally, it’s simply bursting with festive flavor and texture, making it the perfect centerpiece for your holiday dessert table. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels both nostalgic and excitingly new.
The Magic Ingredients for Your Festive Frozen Treat
The beauty of this no-churn Christmas cookie ice cream lies in its short and simple ingredient list. The base requires just four essential components to create a rich, creamy canvas for your cookie masterpieces.
Heavy Whipping Cream: This is the key to creating a light, airy, and rich ice cream base. Make sure it’s well-chilled before you start.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides the sweetness and creamy texture, preventing large ice crystals from forming.
Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best, most aromatic flavor that complements the cookies perfectly.
Salt: A small pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
Assorted Christmas Cookies: The star of the show! Use a variety like sugar cookies, shortbread, or gingerbread, crumbled into bite-sized pieces. If you’re looking for a great cookie recipe to use, these gluten-free oatmeal cookies are a fantastic option.
Festive Sprinkles: An optional but highly recommended addition for extra color and holiday cheer!
The simple, festive magic happens before it even hits the freezer!
How to Make Christmas Cookie Ice Cream: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping holiday dessert. This process is quick, easy, and practically foolproof.
Prepare the Base: In a large, chilled bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. This means when you lift the beaters, the cream holds its shape.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
Fold Gently: Carefully fold the sweetened condensed milk mixture into the whipped cream using a spatula. Mix until just combined, being careful not to deflate the whipped cream.
Add the Mix-Ins: Gently fold in your crumbled Christmas cookies and festive sprinkles. Save a few to sprinkle on top.
Freeze: Pour the mixture into a loaf pan or other freezer-safe container. Smooth the top with your spatula and sprinkle the remaining cookie crumbs and sprinkles over it.
Chill and Harden: Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Freeze for at least 6 hours, or until firm.
For those who love festive, no-bake treats, these no-bake peppermint balls are another fantastic holiday option to try!
Choosing the Best Cookies for Your Ice Cream
The best part about this Christmas cookie ice cream recipe is its adaptability. You can truly use any cookie you love. Sturdier cookies like shortbread, gingerbread, and classic sugar cookies work exceptionally well as they hold their texture without becoming too soggy. Chocolate chip, oatmeal, and even crinkle cookies are also fantastic choices. Don’t be afraid to mix and match to create a unique flavor profile!
Tips for Prepping Your Cookies
To ensure the best texture, aim for a variety of cookie piece sizes. Roughly chop or crumble your cookies by placing them in a zip-top bag and gently crushing them with a rolling pin or your hands. You want some smaller crumbs to flavor the ice cream base and some larger, bite-sized chunks for a satisfying crunch.
Every scoop is packed with holiday cheer and your favorite Christmas cookies.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Scoop
Achieve professional-quality results with these simple tricks.
Chill Everything: For the best results, chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes before you start. A cold bowl helps the cream whip up faster and more effectively.
Don’t Overmix: When folding the condensed milk mixture into the whipped cream, mix only until no streaks remain. Overmixing will deflate the cream and result in a denser ice cream.
Press to Protect: To prevent ice crystals from forming on the surface, press a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before covering the container.
Let It Soften: For easy scooping, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Fun Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, you can easily customize it to your liking. Try adding a thick swirl of caramel or fudge sauce before freezing. A dash of peppermint extract can add an extra festive kick. For more texture, consider adding chopped nuts, toffee bits, or chocolate chunks along with the cookie pieces.
Storage and Serving Suggestions
Store your homemade ice cream in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to two weeks for the best flavor and texture. Serve it in chilled bowls or cones, and feel free to garnish with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, a dollop of whipped cream, or even more sprinkles for an extra-special presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Ultimate Holiday Dessert: Christmas Cookie Ice Cream
Create the ultimate festive dessert with this easy no-churn Christmas cookie ice cream recipe. It's the perfect way to use leftover holiday cookies to make a creamy, delicious, and crowd-pleasing frozen treat without an ice cream maker.
In a large, chilled bowl, whip the cold heavy cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
Gently fold the condensed milk mixture into the whipped cream with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Fold in the crumbled Christmas cookies and festive sprinkles, reserving a small amount for the topping.
Pour the mixture into a 9x5 inch loaf pan or another freezer-safe container. Sprinkle the reserved cookie crumbs and sprinkles on top.
Cover tightly and freeze for at least 6 hours, or until the ice cream is firm.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 6gFat: 25gFiber: 1g
Notes
For the creamiest texture, make sure your heavy cream is very cold before whipping. Press a piece of parchment paper directly on the surface of the ice cream before covering to prevent ice crystals. Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping for easier serving.
This Christmas cookie ice cream recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a new holiday tradition waiting to happen. It’s a joyful, delicious, and incredibly easy way to celebrate the season. We know you’ll love making it as much as you’ll love eating it. Be sure to share your beautiful creations with us on Pinterest!
Turn leftover holiday treats into this dreamy, no-churn Christmas cookie ice cream!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
