Festive Homemade Ice Cream Flavours for a Cosy and Delicious Christmas

Enjoy the festive season with homemade ice creams that are perfect for the festivities. Learn how to craft the perfect festive frozen treat.

While ice cream is often considered a summer staple, there are endless possibilities for this frozen treat to be enjoyed, even devoured, during the festive winter months too.

Ice cream can be ‘warmed up’ as it were by certain flavour infusions and some incredibly delicious flavours can indeed be created.

In this article, we’ll share some recipes of favourite festive flavours, like a Hot Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream, a classic Eggnog transformed into a deliciously smooth homemade ice cream, or how about a Cinnamon Swirl Homemade Ice Cream? We hope to inspire you to give some of these delicious festive recipes a go.

If you’d rather you can go straight to the recipes and methods we’ve shared, or read along to find out more about our festive flavour fusions homemade ice creams.

Jump to Hot Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream Recipe
Jump to Classic Eggnog Homemade Ice Cream Recipe
Jump to Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Ice Cream Recipe

The Festive Spirit:

During the holidays and the run-up to the festive season, there is a thrill (although some might say a dread) in the air.

Isn’t it around the end of November that Coca-Cola commences its Christmas ad campaign with the ever so familiar ‘holidays are coming’ line?

Christmas lights start going up around cities and towns (certainly in the UK), TV and radio ads are ramped up and the radio channels blast Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas at least a g’zillion times a day! Yup, Holidays are indeed coming!

Ice Cream for All Seasons:

Ice cream isn’t just for summer as many may believe, it’s a dessert that can be enjoyed the entire year round.

With some inspiration, you can learn to infuse the essence of each season into your ice cream.

For a Spring-inspired ice cream flavour, you might want to consider something light, refreshing, and with a hint of floral or fruity notes such as a Strawberry Basil fusion, delivering freshness and light flavours

In Autumn / Fall we see Pumpkin Spice coffee in many coffee shops around the world, a flavour profile that is synonymous with Autumn / Fall.

And of course, for Winter the options are vast for delicious Ice Cream flavours fitting for the season.

Flavour Combinations for Winter Warmers:

In the winter months, you can elevate your dessert game with flavours like gingerbread, peppermint, and spiced apple pie, all flavours that celebrate this time of the year.

And of course, we are avidly doing our bit to break the stereotype that ice cream is a only summer dessert and embracing ice cream as a year-round treat as there are endless possibilities for winter ice cream.

How about a comforting cinnamon swirl or an indulgent hot chocolate fudge, there’s a flavour for every winter craving. Creating your festive ice cream is an opportunity to infuse your favourite holiday memories into a frozen treat that is both delicious and warming for the season.

So let’s get started with our first Festive-themed Homemade Ice Cream Recipe.

Hot Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream:

Here’s our recipe for Hot Chocolate Fudge Homemade Ice Cream.

Ingredients:

For the Ice Cream Base: (a simple Vanilla Ice Cream base)

• 4 large egg yolks
• 100g granulated sugar
• 500ml whole milk
• 150ml double cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Optional: You can add some cinnamon or nutmeg to ‘warm up’ your ice cream base

For the Hot Chocolate Fudge Sauce:

• 100g dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 75ml double cream
• 25g unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 50g icing sugar (adjust to taste)
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

For the Ice Cream Base:

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and slightly thickened.
2. In a saucepan, heat the milk until it’s warm but not boiling.
3. Gradually pour the warm milk into the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously to avoid curdling.
4. Pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan and heat gently, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens. Do not let it boil.
5. Remove from heat, stir in the double cream and vanilla extract. Let it cool to room temperature.
6. Once cooled, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

For the Hot Chocolate Fudge Sauce:

1. In a heatproof bowl, combine the chopped dark chocolate, double cream, butter, cocoa powder, icing sugar, and a pinch of salt.
2. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water (double boiler) and stir until the chocolate and butter melt, and the mixture is smooth.
3. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Assembling:

1. Churn the ice cream base in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
   • NB: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up any ice crystals that are forming, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.
2. During the last few minutes of churning, drizzle the warm Hot Chocolate Fudge Sauce into the ice cream.
3. Transfer the ice cream to a lidded container, swirl in extra fudge sauce if desired, and freeze until firm.
4. Scoop and enjoy your delicious Hot Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream!

This recipe combines the richness of chocolate and the creaminess of fudge for a delicious frozen treat.

Let’s move on to a traditional US drink, Eggnog!

What is Eggnog?

Eggnog is not a widely available drink in the UK. Of course, there are some establishments and outlets that will sell and stock it, but it’s generally not a drink the Brits are partial or indeed accustomed to.

Eggnog is a traditional holiday drink in the United States, typically associated with Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. It’s a rich and creamy beverage made with milk, cream, sugar, and eggs, often flavoured with vanilla and nutmeg (Is it just me, or is that an ice cream base screaming out to be churned and frozen? #justsaying).

Some Eggnog recipes also include spirits like rum, brandy, or bourbon, making it a festive and indulgent treat.

With our love for experimenting and trying out different flavour fusions and basically turning anything we can into ice cream, we think it would be rude if we didn’t try out Homemade Eggnog Ice Cream!

Classic Eggnog as a Homemade Ice Cream:

Here’s a Homemade Eggnog Ice Cream recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs, separated
• 100g granulated sugar
• 475ml whole milk
• 240ml double cream
• 5ml pure vanilla extract
• 2.5g ground nutmeg
• Optional: 120ml to 240ml of rum, brandy, or bourbon (adjust to your preference)

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and slightly thickened.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
3. Slowly add the milk and heavy cream to the egg yolk mixture, stirring continuously.
4. Add the vanilla extract and ground nutmeg to the mixture and combine well.
5. If you choose to include spirits, gently stir them into the mixture.
6. Carefully fold in the beaten egg whites into the mixture, ensuring a light and frothy consistency.
7. Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
   • NB: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up any ice crystals that are forming, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.
8. Once churned, transfer the ice cream to a lidded container, cover, and freeze for a few hours or until firm.
9. Before serving, allow the ice cream to soften slightly at room temperature for easier scooping.
10. Scoop and enjoy your homemade Eggnog Ice Cream! You can also garnish with a sprinkle of ground nutmeg for extra festive flair.

The Warming Charm of Homemade Cinnamon Ice Cream

Cinnamon offers a delicious addition to the classic frozen treat that is ice cream by infusing ice cream’s rich and creamy base with warm, aromatic notes of spice.

Cinnamon, derived from the inner bark of trees, brings a unique and comforting flavour profile to ice cream, creating a sensory experience that goes beyond the ordinary.

The addition of cinnamon not only introduces a touch of warmth but also enhances the overall complexity of the ice cream. Its sweet and slightly spicy undertones provide a perfect balance to the sweet creaminess of the base, making each scoopful a journey of taste and texture.

Cinnamon has the magical ability to evoke a sense of cosiness and nostalgia. Its distinct aroma and flavour can transport you to a world of comforting spices and festive warmth.

Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with other complementary flavours like caramel, apple, or chocolate, Homemade Cinnamon Ice Cream is a versatile and seasonally appropriate treat that can be savoured all year round.

So, if you’re looking to elevate your ice cream experience and add a touch of warmth to your dessert repertoire, Homemade Cinnamon Ice Cream is the perfect choice.

Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Ice Cream

Here’s our Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Ice Cream recipe and method:

Ingredients:

• 500ml double cream
• 300ml whole milk
• 150g granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (Optional you can infuse the milk with a couple of cinnamon sticks for an hour or two before starting to make your ice cream base to add a fresher cinnamon flavour. remember to pour the milk through a fine mesh sieve before proceeding)
• A pinch of salt

Method:

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk, cream, sugar, and salt over medium heat until it’s warm but not boiling.
2. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract and ground cinnamon. Stir until well combined.
3. Allow the mixture to cool, then refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight.
4. Churn the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
   • NB: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up any ice crystals that are forming, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.
5. Transfer the churned ice cream into a container, creating swirls with a spoon as you layer it.
6. Freeze for a few hours until firm and then serve and scoff!

Pairings for Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Ice Cream

You can of course enjoy your Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Ice Cream on its own, or you can also pair it with many flavour combinations to add that little extra, both in flavour and texture. Here are a few ideas:

• Serve atop warm apple pie for a comforting familiar dessert.
• Pair with ginger snap cookies for a delicious textural crunch (check out our Ice Cream Sandwich article for more ice cream sandwich ideas).
• Drizzle caramel sauce for an extra layer of sweetness (check out our Salted Caramel Ice Cream article to learn how to make a delicious homemade caramel sauce that you could add).

We’ve shared 3 of our Festive Winter Homemade Ice Creams with you that we hope you’ll love.

Of course, there are many more that might entice you, like our After Eight Chocolate Mint-inspired Homemade Ice Cream, amongst others.

Take a look at our seasonal ice creams in the recipe and methods drop-down menu at the top of the screen to find more.

We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Festive Homemade Ice Cream Flavours for a Cosy and Delicious Christmas – learning about the possibilities of different homemade ice cream flavours that can ‘warm-up’ your festivities.

Please drop us a comment below if you have any queries and we would love to hear about your favourite festive ice cream flavours.