Scoop n Roll – Learn To Make Homemade Ice Cream Rolls

Learn how to make ice cream rolls at home with our easy step-by-step guide. Try Oreo, strawberry & more, plus vegan-friendly swaps and no-machine methods for a fun frozen treat.

You’ve likely witnessed the mesmerising swirls of ice cream rolls being made at shopping malls and department stores. What started as a novelty has become a widespread sensation, with ice cream roll businesses popping up everywhere.

Ice cream rolls have gone from Thai street food to a worldwide dessert sensation — creamy, eye-catching, and fun to make. You’ve probably seen vendors at shopping centres swirl liquid ice cream on frozen plates, then scrape it into neat rolls.

Now, you can bring that same magic into your own kitchen.

In This Article, You’ll Find:

✅ The sweet history of ice cream rolls.
✅ Step-by-step guide to the rolling method.
✅ Two classic recipes: Oreo & Strawberry.
✅ A no-machine alternative you can try at home.
✅ Fun flavour variations and toppings.
✅ Vegan-friendly swaps for everyone to enjoy.

If you’d prefer to go straight to the recipes, please click either of the following links:

Scoop and Roll

Ice cream rolls are exactly what they sound like – rolls of delicious scoops of ice cream, often prepared to order, so you get to enjoy the spectacle of watching them being created before diving in to enjoy eating them.

It’s a very simple process – when making ice cream rolls, a liquid ice cream base is poured onto a super cold surface, often a frozen pan or plate. As the liquid ice cream freezes, it starts to solidify at the edges.

The “scooping” part involves using a spatula or similar tool to scrape and roll the partially frozen ice cream into rolls.

It’s fun to watch, delicious to eat, and endlessly customisable with flavours, mix-ins, and toppings.

Rolling Through History

Ice cream rolls have their roots in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand’s street markets, where vendors mixed fruit, candy, or cookies into the ice cream base before rolling.

The process involves a unique combination of culinary artistry and a touch of theatrics, making it a visually appealing and delicious experience. Over time, the concept has spread to different parts of the world, thanks to its novel preparation method and endless possibilities for flavour combinations.

This brief video shows you the process of making Ice Cream Rolls:

Why Make Rolled Ice Cream at Home?

I recently purchased some ice cream rolls for my little one in a shopping centre, and it set me back £6.50 for 4 ice cream rolls. It was a generous portion, however, for the cost of: a splash of milk and cream, 2 Oreo cookies and approximately 3 minutes of the vendor’s time – I felt the price was way over the odds.

But, here’s the thing – there was a queue, a very long queue, so clearly these ice cream rolls are incredibly popular!

Naturally, it got me curious, and I invested in my own equipment to try to make my own (and hopefully save myself from being bankrupt in the long run, too).

With a small investment to purchase an ice cream roll maker, you can create these quick and easy ice cream rolls at home. The kids will love the process, and you could save yourself a small fortune, too.

Pros of Making Ice Cream Rolls at Home	Cons / Considerations
Fun, hands-on dessert experience for families and parties.	Requires a very cold surface (frozen plate or tray) and quick working time.
Highly customisable flavours, mix-ins, and toppings.	Technique takes practice—rolls can crack if the layer is too thick or too warm.
Cost-effective versus buying mall/shop rolls regularly.	Some cleanup: frozen plate, spatulas, and worktop can get messy.
Works with or without a dedicated roll maker (baking tray hack).	Serving is à la minute—rolls soften quickly, best made and served straight away.
Easy to adapt for vegan/dairy-free diets.	Pre-freezing time for plate/bowl adds planning.

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and your ice cream!

Make Your Own Ice Cream Rolls

Ready to give ice cream rolls a whirl? Below we’ve shared a couple of simple yet delicious recipes you can try at home — starting with two of our absolute favourites;

Oreo Cookies Ice Cream Rolls Recipe

Ingredients

• 100 ml double cream
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 4 Oreo cookies, crushed

Method

1. Whip cream until stiff peaks form.
2. Fold in vanilla and crushed Oreos.
3. Spread onto your frozen plate.
4. Once firm, scrape into rolls with spatulas.
5. Serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving, 4 rolls):

• Calories: 190 | Carbs: 18 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 12 g | Sugar: 10 g | Fibre: 1 g

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Strawberry Ice Cream Rolls Recipe

Ingredients

• 300 g fresh strawberries, hulled & diced
• 300 ml double cream
• 200 ml condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp icing sugar (optional)

Method

1. Puree strawberries (strain seeds if preferred).
2. Whip cream to stiff peaks; fold in vanilla + sugar.
3. Add strawberry puree; mix gently.
4. Spread on a frozen plate and roll.
5. Serve with fresh fruit.

Nutrition (per serving, 4 rolls)

• Calories: 210 | Carbs: 25 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 11 g | Sugar: 20 g | Fibre: 1 g

More Flavours to Try

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll soon realise there’s no limits to the flavours you can try.

Here are a few ideas:

• Mango, raspberry, or blueberry purées
• Nutella or cookie dough chunks
• Pistachios, coconut, or matcha powder
• Swirls of caramel or fudge sauce

The variations are endless — and you’ll quickly find your favourites.

No Ice Cream Roll Maker? No Problem

Don’t have the equipment needed, or a frozen plate with spatulas? Simple, you can use a shallow baking tray.

Method (works with Oreo or strawberry mix):

• Spread your milk, cream and fruit/cookie mixture thinly across a lined tray.
• Freeze 4+ hours until solid.
• Scrape with a spatula to form rolls.

Still fun, still delicious — just a bit slower.

🌱 Dairy-Free & Vegan Variations

The wonderful thing with rolled ice cream is it’s totally customisable and you can easily make yours dairy-free or vegan:

• Swap cream for coconut cream or oat cream.
• Replace condensed milk with coconut condensed milk.
• Use vegan cookies, fruits, or plant-based chocolate.

The processes and techniques stay the same, but everyone gets to join in the fun!

❓Frequently Asked Questions About Ice Cream Rolls

Do I need a special ice cream roll maker to make rolled ice cream?
No. While a roll maker makes it easier, you can use a shallow baking tray. Spread your mixture thinly, freeze until solid, then scrape into rolls with a spatula.

How do I stop the mixture from sticking to the plate?
Make sure the mixture is chilled and the plate is fully frozen. Work quickly and spread the mixture in a thin layer. If it softens too much, re-chill before rolling.

Can I make ice cream rolls without condensed milk?
Yes. You can use a simple whipped cream and vanilla base, or a custard base. For dairy-free alternatives, use coconut cream and plant-based condensed milk.

What flavours work best for beginners?
Oreo and strawberry are reliable starting points. Once you get the hang of it, experiment with mango, pistachio, matcha, or swirls of caramel and chocolate.

Can I make them vegan?
Yes. Swap dairy cream for coconut or oat cream, replace condensed milk with coconut condensed milk, and choose vegan-friendly mix-ins like fruit or plant-based cookies.

Why do my rolls break instead of curling?
This usually happens if the layer is too thick or the plate isn’t cold enough. Spread thinner, freeze longer, and hold your spatula at a steady 45° angle as you scrape.

🔗 Related Reads

Looking for more fun frozen treats? Check out the following articles:

• Fun Ice Cream Recipes for Kids – Get children hands-on in the kitchen.
• Homemade Ice Cream Cakes – Show-stopping frozen cakes for celebrations.
• Dahl-licious Frozen Treats – Whimsical rolled ice creams included.

🛒 Shop & Learn – Ice Cream Roll Essentials

Want to take your homemade ice cream rolls to the next level? We’ve got you covered with tools and resources that make the process even more fun (and a lot easier).

✨ Make it at Home:

👉🏽 Click here to see a selection of Ice Cream Roll Makers — from beginner-friendly kits to professional-style pans.

📚 Master the Craft:

👉🏽 Check out The Rolled Ice Cream Handbook: Secrets to Having a Successful Rolled Ice Cream Business by Krystle Phillips — a fantastic guide packed with tips from a true industry leader.

The Final Scoop

Ice cream rolls aren’t just a treat — they’re an experience. From their Thai street market origins to trendy shopping mall stalls, they’ve captured hearts worldwide.

With a frozen plate (or just a baking tray), you can make them at home — cheaper, fresher, and customised exactly how you like. Whether Oreo, strawberry, or vegan-friendly twists, rolling your own ice cream is fun for the whole family.

👉🏽 Dessert that’s entertaining and delicious? Now that’s a win-win!

We hope that you have enjoyed our article — From Scoop to Roll: Learn to Create Your Own Homemade Ice Cream Rolls — and that we’ve inspired you to roll up your sleeves (and your ice cream!) to give these recipes a go. If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below, and we’ll be happy to get back to you.

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