Homemade Ice Cream Ideas For Thanksgiving

Last Updated on November 17, 2024 by Cherie

Discover delicious homemade ice cream ideas perfect for Thanksgiving! Explore seasonal flavours and creative ways to elevate traditional desserts with a frosty twist.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner – a special day for family, gratitude, and, of course, indulgent feasting. Rooted in historical traditions, this holiday has evolved to embrace modern culinary creativity, like homemade ice cream, to indulge your guests.

Last year in our Thanksgiving-inspired article, we shared unique ice cream recipes, including Gingerbread Cookie Dough and Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan, which brought Thanksgiving flavours to life. If you missed them, be sure to check out our article – Homemade Ice Cream to Sweeten Your Thanksgiving Celebrations for timeless inspiration.

This year, we’re sweetening the celebration with fresh ideas and twists.

In this article, we’ll offer ideas for incorporating ice cream into your Thanksgiving menu and of course, we’ll share with you two new ice cream recipe ideas.

If you’d like to go directly to our recipes, click on the following link, or read along to find out more.

Thanksgiving – A Celebration of Gratitude and Togetherness

Thanksgiving is a cherished tradition centred around expressing gratitude for life’s blessings. It’s a time when families gather, share stories, and indulge in hearty feasts filled with love and laughter. The holiday table is often adorned with comforting classics like roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.

While these traditional favourites shine on their own, ice cream can effortlessly complement them, adding a refreshing twist.

Imagine pairing a slice of warm pecan pie with a scoop of Salted Maple Pear Sorbet, or layering creamy Pumpkin and Coconut Ice Cream in trifles for a modern take on dessert.

With a little creativity, ice cream becomes a versatile addition to Thanksgiving’s culinary indulgence, enhancing both classic and contemporary dishes.

It’s the perfect way to sweeten celebrations and leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Ways to Use Ice Cream in Thanksgiving Desserts

Ice cream is incredibly versatile and can be seamlessly incorporated into many traditional Thanksgiving favourites.

For example, it can enhance the warmth of a freshly baked pie or add a creamy texture to layered desserts. You can even transform classic family recipes into something extraordinary with a scoop of your favourite flavour.

Whether it’s adding flair to a timeless dish or creating a modern masterpiece, ice cream adds a delightful twist to any celebration.

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Pie Pairings: Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to your pecan or pumpkin pie for a classic match.
• Ice Cream Trifles: Layer scoops with spiced cake, whipped cream, and cranberry compote for a festive showstopper.
• Make-Ahead Treats: Freeze ice cream sandwiches using ginger snaps or oatmeal cookies for easy post-dinner treats.

Thanksgiving Homemade Ice Cream Inspirations

Thanksgiving is a time for indulging in comforting, festive flavours, and ice cream is a delicious way to bring a modern twist to the holiday table.

Whether you’re complementing traditional desserts or creating something entirely new, these ice cream ideas are bursting with seasonal charm. Perfect for wowing guests or adding an extra special touch to your celebration!

Flavour Ideas:

• Salted Maple Pear Sorbet: Light yet full of seasonal flair, perfect with pies or as a refreshing palate cleanser.
• Cinnamon Apple Streusel Gelato: Creamy and spiced, with crumbles of streusel that capture the essence of apple crisp.
• Pumpkin Spice Latte Cream: A café-inspired blend of pumpkin spice and espresso for a cosy, fall-inspired indulgence.
• Cranberry Orange Swirl Ice Cream: Sweet and tangy with a vibrant colour, this pairs beautifully with cranberry sauce or citrus desserts.
• Sweet Potato and Marshmallow Ice Cream: A rich and creamy take on the classic Thanksgiving casserole, complete with a hint of toasted marshmallow.
• Pecan Praline Ice Cream: Crunchy, caramelised pecans folded into velvety vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.

Salted Maple Pear Sorbet

Here is our recipe and step-by-step guide to create a delicious Thanksgiving-inspired treat that captures the essence of autumn.

This recipe uses the natural sweetness of pears combined with the richness of maple syrup and a hint of sea salt to create a flavourful, refreshing sorbet. Perfect for cleansing the palate after a hearty Thanksgiving feast, this recipe is a modern twist on traditional holiday ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and diced
• 120ml pure maple syrup
• 240ml water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp sea salt
• Optional: 1 tbsp pear liqueur (to enhance flavour and texture)

Method:

1. Combine the diced pears, water, and maple syrup in a saucepan. Simmer on medium heat until the pears are soft (about 10 minutes).
2. Blend the mixture until smooth using a blender or hand blender. Allow to cool completely.
3. Stir in the lemon juice, sea salt, and optional pear liqueur.
4. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours, then churn in an ice cream maker following the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

Adapting for All Guests

With just a few thoughtful tweaks, homemade ice cream can cater to everyone at your Thanksgiving table. By swapping dairy for alternatives like coconut or almond milk, you can create luscious desserts that are perfect for plant-based or dairy-free guests.

Try recipes like Coconut Milk Pumpkin Ice Cream, which balances creamy textures with seasonal spices, or Almond Butter and Cranberry Swirl Gelato, offering rich, nutty flavours with a festive twist. These inclusive options ensure everyone can enjoy a deliciously cool treat, no matter their dietary needs.

Vegan Pumpkin and Coconut Ice Cream

To cater for those with alternative diets, why not try out our Homemade Vegan Pumpkin and Coconut Ice Cream – a creamy, dairy-free dessert with a classic Thanksgiving flavour profile?

Ingredients:

• 400ml full-fat coconut milk
• 200ml coconut cream
• 100g pumpkin purée (canned or homemade)
• 100g light brown sugar
• 2 tsp pumpkin spice blend (or mix cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. In a saucepan, whisk together the coconut milk, coconut cream, pumpkin purée, brown sugar, and pumpkin spice blend. Heat on low, stirring, until the sugar dissolves (do not boil).
2. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the mixture cool completely.
3. Chill in the fridge for 4 hours, then churn in an ice cream maker as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Freeze for at least 6 hours. Serve topped with crushed pecans or a drizzle of maple syrup.

Thanksgiving Ice Cream Toppings & Pairings

Elevate your homemade ice cream with toppings and pairings that embody the essence of Thanksgiving. These ideas are sure to impress your guests and bring a festive flair to your dessert table.

Toppings:

• Candied Pecans: Add crunch and a caramelised sweetness that complements spiced or pumpkin flavours.
• Cranberry Compote: A tangy-sweet topping perfect for pairing with creamy or nutty ice creams.
• Maple Whipped Cream: Light and airy with the warm, sweet essence of maple syrup.
• Toasted Marshmallows: A nostalgic topping that pairs beautifully with sweet potato or chocolate ice creams.
• Ginger Snap Crumbles: Add a spicy crunch that’s ideal for pumpkin or cinnamon ice creams.

Pairings:

• Warm Apple Pie: A classic match for vanilla, cinnamon, or salted caramel ice cream.
• Pumpkin Cheesecake: Serve with a dollop of spiced ice cream for an indulgent pairing.
• Pecan Tarts: Small bites of pecan goodness paired with a scoop of praline ice cream.
• Spiced Hot Chocolate: A rich and warming drink to complement a cold scoop of ice cream.

These toppings and pairing ideas will add even more Thanksgiving cheer to your delicious homemade ice creams.

What’s your favourite Thanksgiving dessert? Which ice cream recipe would you like to try first? Share your favourite holiday ice cream flavours or ideas in the comments below—we’d love to hear how you celebrate!

As you gather with loved ones to celebrate gratitude and good food, don’t forget to add a scoop (or two!) of joy with homemade ice cream. Whether it’s a creamy pairing for pie or a creative standalone dessert, ice cream brings a festive chill to the warmest of holidays.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and plenty of delicious treats—especially the ice cream kind!

We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Homemade Ice Cream Ideas For Thanksgiving – and that we have inspired you to give some of our recipe ideas a go this Thanksgiving.

If you have any questions, please do drop us a comment below and we will be happy to get back to you.

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