12 Sweet and Fun Christmas Ice Cream Recipes
While everyone’s busy pulling out their best cookie and pie recipes, let’s switch things up with the best homemade Christmas ice cream recipes.
Whether you’re hosting a party or want to indulge in a cold treat after dinner, these recipes will bring joy to your holiday table.

While I’ve gathered these delectable recipes for you, please note you’ll be whisked away (like Santa’s sleigh!) to another site for the full recipe.
Caramel Gingersnap Ice Cream
This ice cream is a creamy, spiced treat perfect for the holiday season. It combines rich caramel swirls with crunchy gingersnap pieces for the ultimate festive flavor. This recipe is easy to make and tastes like Christmas in a bowl! Serve it at holiday gatherings, or keep it all to yourself!
Candy Cane Ice Cream
A festive, creamy treat with crushed peppermint candies swirled throughout. It’s refreshing and sweet, perfect for holiday desserts or a cozy winter snack. The bright peppermint flavor makes it a holiday favorite and easy to make at home. Just freeze, scoop, and enjoy a taste of Christmas!
Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl Ice Cream
It’s a rich and creamy treat with a swirl of gooey marshmallows. It combines the cozy flavors of hot chocolate with the fun texture of marshmallows, making it an irresistible winter dessert. Perfect for satisfying those hot chocolate cravings in a cool, refreshing way!
Boozy Fruitcake Ice Cream
Boozy fruitcake ice cream is a creamy mix of fruit, warm spices, and a splash of rum. It tastes like holiday fruitcake but in ice cream form! It’s a fun dessert to share or enjoy alone during the holidays.
Candy Cane Oreo Crush
This creamy ice cream is packed with crushed candy canes and chunks of Oreo cookies. It’s a cool, minty treat with the perfect crunch. Great for the holidays or any time you want something sweet and fun!
Apple Cider Caramel Swirl
Apple cider caramel swirl ice cream is a creamy mix of sweet apple cider and ribbons of gooey caramel. It’s like your favorite fall drink turned into a frozen treat. Perfect for cozy nights or as a dessert for holiday dinners!
Sticky Toffee Pudding Ice Cream
Inspired by the beloved British dessert, this ice cream is creamy and packed with bits of sticky toffee and sweet caramel. It’s great on its own or served with warm desserts like brownies or pie. Perfect for a treat any time of year!
Eggnog Ice Cream
This ice cream is rich and creamy with the classic flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon. It’s made with eggnog, heavy cream, and a hint of vanilla for a festive treat. Perfect on its own or served with holiday pies and cakes!
Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ice Cream
This ice cream recipe is a creamy mix of spiced ice cream and chunks of gingerbread cookie dough. It has warm holiday flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and molasses. Perfect for dessert or as a fun holiday treat to share!
Cranberry Swirl Ice Cream
Cranberry swirl ice cream is a creamy holiday treat with sweet-tart cranberry sauce swirled throughout. It’s made with a smooth vanilla base and bursts of cranberry flavor in every bite. Perfect for winter celebrations or a festive dessert!
Cinnamon Roll Ice Cream
Cinnamon roll ice cream is a creamy treat with swirls of cinnamon and bits of sweet dough. It tastes just like a freshly baked cinnamon roll but in frozen form. Perfect for dessert or a cozy snack!
FAQs
Absolutely! Many recipes can be adapted for no-churn versions. Whipping heavy cream and folding it into sweetened condensed milk with your chosen flavors is a quick and simple way to create creamy ice cream at home.
Adding some alcohol (like peppermint schnapps or rum in festive recipes) can help keep your ice cream scoopable. If you want an alcohol-free option, adding a tablespoon of corn syrup or glycerin works too.
Yes, swap out heavy cream and milk for coconut, almond, or oat milk. Use dairy-free condensed milk or create your own by simmering coconut milk with sugar until thickened.
Absolutely, but a little goes a long way. Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves are perfect for Christmas ice creams but can be strong, so start with a small amount and adjust to taste. You can also steep whole spices (like cinnamon sticks) in warm milk for a subtler, more infused flavor.
Use food coloring (natural or gel-based) to get red, green, and white layers. Layer them in the container or swirl them for a marble effect. Toppings like edible gold dust, red and green sprinkles, or crushed candy canes add a festive touch.
Homemade Christmas ice cream is a simple way to bring festive flavors to your holiday celebrations. With these recipes, you can create something special to enjoy with family and friends.
Whether scooping up memories with family or introducing a chilly treat to friends, these flavors promise to make your celebrations even sweeter. I hope you have a beautiful holiday filled with all your favorite things ❤️.

By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.