Crafting Homemade Cookies and Cream Ice Cream: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re a fan of the classic cookies and cream flavor, making it at home can be both satisfying and delicious. The cookies and cream ice cream recipe featured on Dioro provides a straightforward way to indulge in this beloved treat without relying on store-bought versions filled with artificial ingredients. Creating your own allows you to customize sweetness levels and ingredient quality, resulting in a batch that’s tailored to your preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 15-20 chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos), crushed
Preparing the Ice Cream Base
Mixing the Base
Start by whisking together the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until the sugar dissolves completely. Achieving a smooth, homogeneous mixture ensures that the flavors blend well during freezing. Once combined, transfer the mixture into a clean container or bowl suitable for your ice cream maker.
Chilling the Mixture
Allow the mixture to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. This step helps to improve the texture and ensures the flavors meld properly, resulting in a creamier ice cream.
Incorporating Cookies and Final Freezing
Adding the Cookies
Once the base is thoroughly chilled, gently fold in the crushed cookies. For a more visual cookie distribution, reserve some for topping or mix-ins at the end of the freezing process. This method guarantees that each scoop will have a satisfying amount of cookies in every bite.
Churning the Ice Cream
Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions—typically about 20-25 minutes. The process transforms the liquid into a soft, creamy consistency reminiscent of store-bought ice cream but with the freshness of homemade ingredients.
Freezing to Firmness
Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for an additional 4-6 hours to firm up. For best results, cover the surface with plastic wrap before sealing the container—this reduces ice crystals and preserves the smooth texture.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
Once fully frozen, serve your cookies and cream ice cream in bowls or cones. For added flair, sprinkle some extra crushed cookies on top or drizzle with chocolate syrup. You can also experiment by adding mix-ins such as chocolate chips, swirls of caramel, or even chopped nuts for a personalized twist.
Consumer Tips for Homemade Ice Cream
- Use high-quality ingredients, especially for the cream and cookies, to elevate the flavor profile.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, consider using a freezer-safe dish and stirring every 30 minutes during freezing to prevent large ice crystals from forming.
- Store the ice cream in a shallow container to promote quick freezing and easier scooping.
- Adjust sweetness and cookie quantity based on your taste preferences—more cookies for a crunchier texture, less for a subtler flavor.
Making cookies and cream ice cream at home offers a simple way to enjoy a timeless favorite with fresh, customizable ingredients. With a few basic steps, you can craft a dessert that’s just as satisfying as what you’d find in a scoop shop—and perhaps even more so, because it’s made by your own hand.
Checkout ProductScope AI’s Studio (and get 200 free studio credits)