Homemade Carrot Cake Ice Cream Recipe

Last Updated on February 21, 2025 by Cherie

Turn your favourite cake into ice cream! Our Homemade Carrot Cake Ice Cream is rich, spiced, and swirled with a delicious cream cheese frosting

I’ll admit it—I was quite late to discover carrot cake. The idea of putting carrots in a cake seemed a bit odd to me. Yes, me—the person who loves experimenting with crazy ice cream flavours!

But at the insistence of a friend, I finally tried a slice, and wow—I was completely surprised! It didn’t taste like carrots at all. Instead, it was this succulent, moist, spiced cake, balanced with that tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting. I was very pleasantly surprised and I knew I had to turn this delicious cake into an ice cream.

In this article, we’ll share:

✅ A creamy, spiced Carrot Cake Ice Cream recipe – capturing the warm flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweet carrot cake chunks.
✅ A luscious cream cheese swirl – bringing the classic carrot cake frosting into every scoop.
✅ Fun toppings & perfect pairings – to take your ice cream to the next level.
✅ Vegan, dairy-free, nut-free & keto variations – so everyone can enjoy this festive frozen treat.
✅ Serving ideas & creative twists – to customise your ice cream for any occasion.

If you’d like to head straight to our recipe and step-by-step guide, please use the following link, or read along to find out more.

Why Doesn’t Carrot Cake Taste Like Carrots?

If you don’t really taste carrots in carrot cake, you might be wondering—will this ice cream actually taste like carrots? The answer is not really!

Instead, it captures the warm, spiced, and creamy flavours that make carrot cake so delicious.

• The spices take centre stage – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are the defining flavours, not the carrot itself.
• Carrots add moisture, not a strong taste – They bring natural sweetness and softness, rather than an overpowering flavour.
• The cream cheese frosting is a key element – That sweet, tangy contrast plays a huge role in why carrot cake is so irresistible.

How This Translates to Ice Cream

• A cinnamon-nutmeg ice cream base – Infused with warm spices for that signature carrot cake flavour.
• Soft carrot cake chunks – Adding texture and subtle sweetness, without an obvious carrot taste.
• A cream cheese swirl – Bringing in the richness and tang of classic carrot cake frosting.

So, rather than tasting like blended carrots, this ice cream is a creamy, spiced, and indulgent dessert that delivers all the best parts of carrot cake—in frozen form!

Health Benefits of Carrots in Carrot Cake

• Natural Sweetness

Carrots are naturally sweet, which means they help reduce the need for excess sugar in recipes. This is especially useful in desserts where you want a bit of natural balance to the sweetness.

• Rich in Beta-Carotene (Vitamin A)

Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into Vitamin A. This helps:
✅ Support eye health
✅ Boost the immune system
✅ Promote healthy skin

Even though the cooking process and freezing may reduce some of the vitamin content, you’ll still get a small boost of antioxidants from the carrots.

• Adds Fibre & Moisture

Carrots contain dietary fibre, which can aid digestion and add a soft, moist texture to baked goods and frozen treats. In ice cream, this helps create a smoother, richer consistency.

• Supports Heart Health

Carrots contain potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, and antioxidants, which can support overall heart health. While ice cream is still an indulgence, a little added nutrition never hurts!

👉🏽 Find out more about the health benefits of Carrots – What Are the Health Benefits of Carrots?

Carrot Cake Ice Cream Recipe

Now that we’ve covered why carrot cake makes the perfect ice cream flavour, it’s time to make this delicious recipe yourself. This ice cream brings together warm cinnamon and nutmeg, soft carrot cake chunks, and a sweet cream cheese swirl—all the flavours of a classic carrot cake, in a creamy frozen treat.

Whether you’re making it for Easter, a springtime dessert, or just because you love carrot cake, this recipe is rich, indulgent, and full of texture.

Ingredients

For the Ice Cream Base:

• 500ml whole milk
• 250ml double cream
• 100g caster sugar
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

For the Cream Cheese Swirl:

• 100g full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 40g icing sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

For the Carrot Cake Chunks:

(Use homemade or store-bought carrot cake)

• 150g carrot cake, cut into small cubes
• 20g unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon

Method

Step 1: Make the Ice Cream Base

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Do not let it boil.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until pale. Slowly pour in a ladle of the warm milk mixture, whisking continuously. Repeat with another ladle.
3. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon (about 5–7 minutes).
4. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before churning in an ice cream maker.

Step 2: Prepare the Carrot Cake Chunks

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / Gas Mark 4.
2. Toss the carrot cake cubes with melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Spread on a baking tray and bake for 8–10 minutes until slightly crisp. Set aside to cool.

Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Swirl

1. In a bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, icing sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Set aside until ready to layer into the ice cream.

Step 4: Churn and Assemble

1. Churn the cooled ice cream base in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer instructions.
2. Once churned, fold in the carrot cake pieces and swirl through the cream cheese mixture.
3. Transfer to a container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

Nutritional Values (per serving, approx. 100g)

• Calories: 350 kcal | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Carbohydrates: 32g | Sugars: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fibre: 1g | Salt: 0.3g

👉🏽 Note: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make all of this recipe;

Simply pour your ice cream mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up ice crystals, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – How to Make Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.

Toppings & Pairings for Carrot Cake Ice Cream

Want to take this ice cream to the next level? Here are some fun toppings and serving ideas!

Toppings:

• Crushed walnuts or pecans – Adds crunch and a nutty depth.
• Candied carrots – Thin carrot strips caramelised in sugar for a sweet crunch.
• Gingerbread crumbs – A spicy-sweet contrast.
• Golden raisins or sultanas – For extra bursts of sweetness.
• A drizzle of maple syrup or honey – To enhance the natural sweetness.

Perfect Pairings:

• A warm espresso or chai latte – Complements the spiced notes.
• A slice of actual carrot cake – Why not go all in?
• Cream liqueur (like Baileys or Amarula) – If you want an indulgent boozy touch!

Vegan, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free & Keto Alternatives

Love the idea of Carrot Cake Ice Cream but need a version that fits your dietary lifestyle? Whether you’re vegan, avoiding dairy or nuts, or following a keto-friendly diet, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this spiced, creamy treat without compromising on flavour or texture.

Below are alternative ingredient swaps for each dietary preference so everyone can enjoy a Carrot Cake Ice Cream tailored to their needs!

Vegan & Dairy-Free Version

To make this recipe 100% plant-based and dairy-free, swap out the milk, cream, eggs, and cream cheese for these alternatives:

✅ Milk & Cream Swap: Use oat milk and coconut cream for a rich, creamy texture. (Soy or rice milk can also work, but oat milk has the best consistency.)
✅ Egg Yolk Replacement: Use cornflour (cornstarch) or arrowroot powder (1 tbsp mixed with 2 tbsp water) to help thicken the ice cream base.
✅ Cream Cheese Swirl Alternative: Blend dairy-free cream cheese (like Violife or Nush) with a little maple syrup and vanilla.
✅ Carrot Cake Swap: Use vegan carrot cake (or make your own using flax eggs instead of eggs).

🔹 Bonus Tip: If you want extra creaminess, add ½ a mashed ripe banana or a soaked cashew paste (if not nut-free) for a silkier texture.

Nut-Free Version

Many Carrot Cake recipes include nuts, but for a completely nut-free ice cream, make these swaps:

✅ Milk & Cream Swap: Use oat milk and rice milk, or coconut-based alternatives (if tolerated). Avoid almond, cashew, or macadamia milks.
✅ Nut-Free Carrot Cake: Ensure the cake mix is walnut- and pecan-free, or use nut-free granola for texture.
✅ Toppings: Swap crushed nuts for crushed digestive biscuits, seeds (like pumpkin or sunflower), or toasted coconut (if tolerated).

🔹 Bonus Tip: Double-check labels on store-bought plant-based milks and creamers, as some may contain traces of nuts!

Keto-Friendly (Low-Carb, No Sugar) Version

For a keto-approved Carrot Cake Ice Cream, you’ll need to reduce carbs and sugar while keeping the creamy texture. Try these swaps:

✅ Milk & Cream Swap: Use full-fat coconut milk and coconut cream (or heavy cream if not dairy-free).
✅ Sweetener: Replace sugar with erythritol, monk fruit, or allulose for a low-carb option.
✅ Carrot Cake Alternative:

• Make a keto-friendly carrot cake using almond flour or coconut flour instead of wheat flour.
• Reduce actual carrot content to keep carbs low (or replace with shredded zucchini for similar moisture).
  ✅ Cream Cheese Swirl: Use full-fat cream cheese (or a dairy-free keto alternative like coconut cream with lemon juice for tang), sweetened with monk fruit or erythritol.

Bonus Tip: Serve with crushed pecans (if tolerated) or toasted coconut flakes for a crunchy keto-friendly topping.

No matter your dietary needs, you can enjoy Carrot Cake Ice Cream in a way that works for you! Whether it’s vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, or keto, simple ingredient swaps let you experience the warm, spiced flavours of carrot cake in a frozen treat.

If you love the natural sweetness of carrots but want something lighter and refreshing, why not turn them into a vibrant, zesty sorbet? Carrots aren’t just for baking—they make a deliciously bright and naturally sweet frozen treat that’s both unexpected and refreshing.

👉🏽 If you fancy something a little lighter, try out our Homemade Carrot Sorbet Recipe, where earthy carrots meet citrusy zing for a smooth, refreshing dessert that’s as fun as it is flavourful!

The Final Scoop

Carrot Cake Ice Cream is everything you love about the classic cake—in frozen form! With its cinnamon warmth, soft cake pieces, and cream cheese swirl, it’s the ultimate Easter dessert or a fun way to welcome spring. A Little Bit of Goodness in Every Bite – While Carrot Cake Ice Cream is still a treat, the inclusion of real carrots means you get a small boost of vitamins, fibre, and natural sweetness. It’s just another reason to enjoy this rich, spiced, and creamy dessert!

👉🏽 Would you try this Carrot Cake Ice Cream Recipe? Or how about some of the alternative diet versions? Do you have a twist you’d add to our recipe? Let us know in the comment below!

We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Homemade Carrot Cake Ice Cream Recipe – and that we have inspired you to give this delicious ice cream recipe a go. If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below and we will be happy to get back to you.

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