Cookie Butter Ice Cream Recipe

This Cookie Butter Ice Cream Recipe is like a hug in a bowl, y’all! It’s got that homey, comforting vibe of cookie butter spread and brown sugar, all swirled into the creamy dreaminess of homemade ice cream โ€“ talk about a delightful treat! It’s like dessert heaven in every scoop, and I bet it’s gonna satisfy your sweet tooth while taking your dessert game to a whole new level. Get ready to scoop, savor, and share this magical homemade butter cookie ice cream with all your friends and family.

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Cookie butter ice cream in a loaf pan with a scoop on top in a cone.

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Cookie butter is my new best friend.  We take walks together, talk about our deepest and darkest secrets and we rely on each other for comfort in times of need.  It’s true!  It is so tasty. 

Because I have tried it so many ways now, I definitely needed a switch-up. That’s where this cookie butter ice cream (brown sugar cookie butter ice cream to be exact) came from.

This ice cream recipe is the ice cream of my dreams.  It is creamy, smooth, buttery, nutty, cookie-like and so delicious.  I want to have a scoop every day.  It would make me happy.  I would even have it for breakfast I think. It would be a great way to start the day off.

If you love it, you need to try more ice cream and cookie mash-ups like my cookies and cream ice cream or banana pudding ice cream.

  • Winning Combination. Created with layers of brown sugar ice cream with cookie butter and gingersnaps for perfectly rich and creamy ice cream with notes of molasses and spices.
  • More Customization. Making homemade ice cream means you can adjust the flavors and add more mix-ins in order to create an ice cream just for you!
  • Homemade Goodness. Making ice cream at home means you know exactly what goes into your ice cream and can even select brands of products you know and trust. Plus you skip the additives and preservatives added to store-bought ice cream.
  • Family Fun! Nothing is more fun than gathering the family around on the weekend or a hot summer day to make and then enjoy homemade ice cream. It’s truly an occasion to savor.
  • Easy Recipe. Making ice cream at home isn’t complicated and this recipe walks you right through the entire process. It’s perfect whether it’s your first time making homemade ice cream or your an old pro.

Here’s a look at the simple ingredients you need for this ice cream recipe.

  • Evaporated milk: This canned milk is easy to find in most grocery stores. It has been heated to allow some of the water to evaporate. This process makes it creamier and thicker than regular milk making it perfect for making a creamy homemade ice cream.
  • Sweetened condensed milk: You will most likely find this on the same aisle as the evaporated milk. It’s a thick type of milk that already contains some sugar.
  • Eggs: These are the key to added flavor and color along with preventing ice crystallization. Without eggs, your ice cream will have a more icy texture rather than smooth and creamy.
  • Rum: Just a bit for flavor. We will be cooking it so the alcohol will cook off.
  • Salt: It’s essential in ice cream for balancing the flavors and sweetness.
  • Vanilla extract: Gives your cookie butter ice cream warmer, sweeter notes and a delightful aroma. Make sure to use pure extract for the best flavor.
  • Butter: Use unsalted for the best flavor. Adds a richer flavor to the ice cream and cooks with the brown sugar to aid it in melting.
  • Light brown sugar: For added sweetness and notes of molasses in your ice cream.
  • Cookie butter: A sweet butter made from crushed cookies, usually speculoos cookies, that’s mixed with condensed milk, butter, and sugar to create a creamy spread similar to nut butter in texture.
  • Gingersnap cookies: We will crush these up and mix them with the finished ice cream that way you get little bits of cookie mixed into your ice cream.
Ingredients to make cookie butter ice cream on the table.

Making cookie butter ice cream takes a small amount of prep but there is a bit of wait time involved to let it chill and for the ice cream to freeze. It’s best to plan ahead whenever possible so you don’t feel rushed.

Step 1: Make the Ice Cream Base

  1. Whisk together the evaporated milk, condensed milk, eggs, rum, salt, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
  2. Heat the butter and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the brown sugar has evaporated. This process can take up to 10 minutes. Whisk the condensed milk and egg mixture into the mixture in the saucepan.
  3. Add the cookie butter to the mixture and stir until it melts into the custard. Continue to cook the custard until it begins to simmer and then remove from heat.
  4. Pour the custard into a separate bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place the custard in the refrigerator and cool for at least 3-4 hours.
A collage of images for making cookie butter ice cream base.

Step 2: Freeze Ice Cream

  1. Add the completely cooled ice cream mixture to your ice cream maker. Follow the instructions for your machine to churn your ice cream. Add the crushed gingersnap cookies during the last few minutes of churning.
  2. Remove the ice cream when it’s ready from the maker and place it in a freezer-safe container. Sprinkle more cookies on top if desired and freeze for 4-5 hours before serving.
Collage of cookie butter ice cream in an ice cream freezer and then in a container topped with crushed cookies.

Tips for making this recipe great

  • Chill the Ingredients: Make sure that you allow the ice cream base plenty of time to chill completely before churning it. This helps the ice cream freeze faster and results in a creamier texture.
  • Adding Mix-Ins: You will add the cookies and any other mix-ins in the last few minutes of churning. This allows plenty of time to mix in evenly without overmixing.
  • Easy Scooping: Dip your scooper in warm water to help create smooth, round scoops.
  • Let It Soften: Homemade ice cream is often firmer than store-bought when you first take it out of the freezer. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping for a creamier texture.
  • Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality ingredients you know and trust along with real cookie butter for the best flavor and texture.
  • Gingersnap Cookies: Swap them with vanilla wafer cookies, Biscoff cookies, or any other type of cookie you enjoy.
  • Add Chocolate Chips: Instead of mixing the cookies at the end, add chocolate chips instead!
  • Rum: If you prefer an alcohol-free ice cream you can easily use rum extract in place of the rum. Start with a half teaspoon and then you can add more if you want a more intense rum flavor.
  • Add Nuts: Almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts, and pecans will all work great with the flavor of cookie butter plus it adds a nice crunchy texture.
  • Spiced Cookie Butter Ice Cream: For more warming flavors add cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the ice cream. You don’t need much so start with a pinch or two and go from there.
Overhead view of the table with cookie butter ice cream in a rectangle container with a scooper filled with ice cream on top and ingredients in bowls around it.

What to Serve with this Recipe

How to Store 

Store your cookie butter ice cream in a well-sealed container in the freezer. It’s important to make sure to keep out any air as it can easily cause freezer burn or make the ice cream turn a bit icy.

Homemade ice cream is best enjoyed within a week of making it. The longer it sits in the freezer, it’s texture will degrade.

Cookie butter ice cream in a container with a utensil scooping up some to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What flavor is cookie butter ice cream?

Traditional cookie butter ice cream contains cookie butter made with speculoos cookies. These cookies give the ice cream a bit of warmth along with the flavor of caramel and spices. I find the flavor similar to gingersnap cookies but with a bit less bite.

Is Biscoff the same as cookie butter?

Yes, pretty much. Biscoff Cookies by Lotus is a name brand of a type of speculoos cookie and cookie butter.

Can I make this ice cream without an ice cream maker?

No, unfortunately, this style of ice cream requires using an ice cream maker in order to churn the ice cream and achieve the right texture and flavor.

A close up of scoops of cookie butter ice cream in a glass dish with a spoon.

Y’all are gonna fall for this creamy, dreamy Cookie Butter Ice Cream! It’s like a carousel of flavors with caramel and spice, plus little bits of cookies in every single bite! It’s a surefire way to satisfy that sweet tooth, and the best part? You can enjoy this yummy treat any time of the year!

More Ice Cream Recipes

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Two scoops of cookie butter ice cream in a glass dessert bowl and topped with a cookie.

Cookie Butter Ice Cream

Cookie Butter Ice Cream is going to change your life. If you love cookie butter, you will adore this frozen treat that is as smooth as it is delish.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Chill 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 24 ounces evaporated milk 2 cans
  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 1 can
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon rum
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ยพ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ยฝ cup cookie butter
  • 12 gingersnap cookies crushed and crumbled

Instructions

  • Whisk together evaporated milk, condensed milk, eggs, rum, salt and vanilla extract in a separate large bowl.
  • Next add butter and brown sugar to a large sized saucepan over medium heat until the brown sugar has evaporated (this process can take up to 10 minutes).
  • Whisk the condensed milk and egg mixture into the large sized saucepan quickly combining all of the ingredients.
  • Add cookie butter to the mixture and stir until it melts into the custard.
  • Continue to cook the custard until it begins to simmer and then remove from heat.
  • Pour the custard into a separate bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
  • Place the custard in the refrigerator and cool for at least 3-4 hours.
  • Add the completely cooled ice cream mixture to your ice cream maker and make according to your manufacturerโ€™s instructions.
  • During the last few minutes of churning, sprinkle crushed gingersnap cookies into mixture. Remove the completed ice cream from the maker and place in a freezer safe container. Freeze for 4-5 hours and serve.

Notes

  • Chill the Ingredients: Make sure that you allow the ice cream base plenty of time to chill completely before churning it. This helps the ice cream freeze faster and results in a creamier texture.
  • Adding Mix-Ins: You will add the cookies and any other mix-ins in the last few minutes of churning. This allows plenty of time to mix in evenly without overmixing.
  • Easy Scooping: Dip your scooper in warm water to help create smooth, round scoops.
  • Let It Soften: Homemade ice cream is often firmer than store-bought when you first take it out of the freezer. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping for a creamier texture.
  • Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality ingredients you know and trust along with real cookie butter for the best flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 384mg | Potassium: 531mg | Sugar: 62g | Vitamin A: 525IU | Vitamin C: 2.9mg | Calcium: 399mg | Iron: 1.4mg
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Filed Under:  Dessert and Baking, Ice Cream and Frozen Treats, Summer Recipes

Comments

  1. I have the custard base chilling. It seems fine, but I ran into some trouble at Step 2. That process was new to me and the first time I tried I burnt it. Next time, the brown sugar/butter mixture hardened up when I added the milk/egg mixture. I still proceeded and it dissolved as the entire mixture heated and is seems okay now. But was it supposed to harden up? If not, any suggestions on how I could avoid that? The custard tastes great and I’m looking forward to the ice cream! Thanks!

    1. It really shouldn’t harden up. It should still be a bit softened before going in.

5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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