Hot Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe

What happens when hot cocoa gets a summer makeover? You get this Hot Chocolate Ice Cream—creamy, chocolatey, marshmallow-y magic that tastes like a mug of your favorite winter drink straight out of the freezer. It’s rich and velvety thanks to sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream, with that nostalgic hot cocoa flavor we all love. If you’ve got kids (or grownups) who dream about hot chocolate even in the middle of July, this one’s gonna be your new go-to.

We love to make this recipe during the holidays or even during the summer because it is just that good! The creaminess and the taste is unmatched!

What Ingredients Do You Need?

• Sweetened Condensed Milk brings the sweetness and a creamy base that makes the ice cream super scoopable without any churning
• Vanilla Extract adds that smooth background flavor and ties everything together
• Half and Half keeps the mix rich but still soft enough to freeze beautifully
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder gives the ice cream that deep chocolate flavor
• Hot Cocoa Mix adds that signature cocoa taste—like your fave instant packet, but better
• Hot Chocolate Mix boosts the sweet and cozy flavor with a little extra warmth
• Heavy Cream is what turns the base into fluffy, creamy goodness when whipped
• Mini Marshmallows are the fun, squishy surprise in every bite (and the perfect nod to classic hot cocoa)

Step By Step Instructions

FAQs

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Where to Serve

Hot Chocolate Ice Cream is the perfect dessert for a variety of occasions:

• Winter Gatherings: Serve it at holiday parties or cozy gatherings to delight your guests with a seasonal treat.
• Summer Cool-Down: Beat the summer heat with a scoop of this frozen delight, offering a refreshing contrast to the warm weather.
• Family Movie Night: Top it with whipped cream and more mini marshmallows for a movie night dessert that everyone will adore.
• Dessert Bar: Set up a DIY ice cream bar with different toppings, allowing guests to create their own custom hot chocolate floats.

Storage

To keep your Hot Chocolate Ice Cream at its best:

• Store it in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn and preserve freshness.
• Place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice cream before sealing the container to further prevent ice crystals from forming.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.

Why This Recipe Works

Our Hot Chocolate Ice Cream recipe brings together the best of both worlds: the comforting flavors of a steaming mug of hot cocoa and the luscious creaminess of ice cream. Here’s why this recipe is a hit:

• Simple Ingredients: With a straightforward ingredient list that includes pantry staples and hot chocolate mix, this recipe is easy to whip up on any occasion.
• Versatile: Whether you’re craving a winter-inspired dessert in the middle of summer or looking for a cozy treat on a cold day, this ice cream satisfies all year round.
• Kid-Friendly: It’s the perfect recipe to involve children in the kitchen, making it a fun family activity that results in a tasty reward.
• Deliciously Creamy: The combination of sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and half and half results in a luxuriously creamy ice cream base that’s hard to resist.
• Mini Marshmallows: The addition of mini marshmallows provides a delightful textural contrast and a touch of nostalgia, reminiscent of sipping a mug of hot cocoa by the fireplace.
• Customizable: Feel free to customize the recipe with your favorite toppings, mix-ins, or flavored hot chocolate packets to make it uniquely yours.

So here’s the thing: there are a bunch of hot chocolate ice cream recipes out there, but this one hits different. It uses both hot cocoa mix and hot chocolate mix for a layered flavor that tastes like the real thing, not just chocolate ice cream with marshmallows thrown in. Plus, my version is all about those cozy vibes year-round—you don’t need a snowstorm to enjoy hot cocoa when it’s frozen and fabulous. And the best part? It’s so easy the kids can help (and they’ll definitely want to).

This recipe is creamy, cozy, and full of personality—just like your favorite cup of hot chocolate, only colder. And trust me, once you try it, you’ll never look at a packet of cocoa the same way again. Save this one, because it’s about to be your new cold-weather-in-hot-weather favorite.

Here are some more amazing no churn ice cream recipes to try: