Most homemade ice cream recipes call for heavy cream, sugar, flavorings and mix-ins. However, did you know there’s an even easier, one-ingredient recipe for ice cream? Enter coffee creamer ice cream!
Ice cubes, enough to fill a gallon-size bag about half full
Directions
Step 1: Pour the coffee creamer
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Pour the coffee creamer into the small, quart-sized plastic bag. Seal the bag closed, squeezing out as much air as possible.
Step 2: Ice and salt
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Fill the gallon-sized plastic bag halfway with ice cubes and 1/2 cup of kosher salt (make sure you select kosher—it’s different from other types of salt). Place the creamer-filled bag inside the ice bag and seal it closed.
Step 3: Shake it up
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Pick the bag and shake vigorously for 3-4 minutes.
Editor’s Tip: That’s cold! Protect your hands from the frigid temperature of the bag by wrapping it in a kitchen towel or wearing oven mitts.
Step 4: Rinse
Open the ice bag, remove the smaller bag and quickly rinse under cold water to remove any salt stuck to the bag.
Step 5: Serve (or Not)
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
To enjoy immediately, open the small bag and scoop the ice cream into bowls. Garnish with desired ice cream toppings.
To enjoy later, transfer the ice cream into a freezer-safe container and freeze overnight until firm. Freshly made coffee creamer ice cream is very soft ice cream (like Dairy Queen soft serve). Therefore, if you prefer a more solid ice cream, we recommend this method.
Editor’s Tip: If you wish to flavor your ice cream with mix-ins, this is the time to do it! Add a few tablespoons of your favorite toppings to the freshly churned ice cream, swirl to combine, then either serve or freeze as directed above.
Why Does This Work?
What mystical magic is at work to allow this delicious phenomenon to occur? The answer lies in both the technique and the coffee creamer’s ingredients.
The Science of Ice Cream in a Bag
The combination of salt and ice is the secret to turning a simple plastic bag (or coffee can) into a makeshift ice cream maker. The salt lowers the freezing point of water, allowing the water that melts off the ice to become colder than 32°F. This allows the coffee creamer in the bag to cool quickly and become the best hand-churned ice cream.
Coffee Creamer Ice Cream Ingredients
Why can you turn coffee creamer into ice cream? A simple look at the ingredient list provides all of the answers. At its core, most coffee creamers are made with milk, heavy cream, sugar and natural flavors. The same ingredients required for making homemade ice cream!
What is the best coffee creamer for ice cream in a bag?
While any coffee creamer can be used to make coffee creamer ice cream, we recommend selecting a healthy coffee creamer made with all-natural ingredients. By selecting a creamer made without water or processed vegetable oil, you’ll make a richer, creamier ice cream treat!
Editor’s Tip: Keep in mind that some coffee creamers are loaded with sugar. This can, believe it or not, make the ice cream too sweet. If you’re concerned about a sugar overload, look for a creamer with no more than 5 to 7 grams of sugar per serving.
Can I make dairy-free coffee creamer ice cream?
While we didn’t try making coffee creamer ice cream dairy-free, we imagine it could work if you’re up for an experiment. Simply swap the dairy-based creamer for your favorite creamer made with oat, almond, soy or coconut milk. The consistency and texture will be slightly different but the mixture should thicken and solidify into ice cream with enough shaking.
Can I make sugar-free or fat-free coffee creamer ice cream?
We do not recommend using a sugar-free or fat-free creamer. Both sugar and fat are important for sweetening and thickening the coffee creamer into ice cream. Therefore, we worry that sugar- or fat-free creamer would not properly develop into ice cream with this method. You could, however, use sugar-free creamer to make a dirty soda.
How Can I Flavor Coffee Creamer Ice Cream?
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
The flavor combinations for are truly limitless! Become a flavor mixologist by combining multiple coffee creamer flavors together in a single bag. Here are some unique ice cream flavors for inspiration.
Alternatively, before shaking, you can add a teaspoon or two of different flavoring extracts (such as vanilla, almond, coconut or mint), or a bit of instant espresso powder. You can also swirl in your favorite ice cream toppings after shaking if you want to add texture with nuts, chocolate flakes or candy pieces.
Pumpkin pie is the perfect southern comfort food that everyone has on their table at the holidays, but truthfully, I want those cozy flavors any time of year. This ice cream has just the right balance of spices and no matter when you make it, you'll find yourself surrounded in the warmth and love that pumpkin pie has to offer. —Angie Forester, Memphis, Tennessee
Easy Chocolate Ice CreamThis super simple chocolate ice cream is the perfect treat at a moments notice. It's also a bonus that most of the ingredients are kitchen staples. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Rocky Road Ice CreamMy daughters always want to put this rocky road ice cream in cones just like the ice cream shops do. We especially like the marshmallows, chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Sometimes we even add extra chips on top...and whipped cream, too.
-Dale Langford
Atwater, California
KulfiI grew up near Little India in California, and I loved the desserts from Indian sweets shops. One of them sold kulfi, a spiced and nutty frozen custard in cone molds. Here I use a shortcut method to make kulfi quickly and without any special equipment. The whole milk can be replaced with mango pulp for mango kulfi. —Justine Kmiecik, Crestview, Florida
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Mint Chip Ice CreamWe have a milk cow, so homemade ice cream is a regular dessert in our household. This creamy version has a mild mint flavor. — Farrah McGuire, Springdale, Washington
Almond Butter Swirl Ice CreamWarm weather days require ice cream! However, dealing with dairy intolerances can be tricky. This dairy-free recipe is a favorite at our house, especially with kids! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Best Banana Ice CreamMy son-in-law says this is the best banana ice cream he’s ever had. It’s always requested at family gatherings. —Donna Robbins, Skiatook, Oklahoma
Triple Chocolate Ricotta Ice CreamYou're going to fall in love with this thick, rich chocolate ricotta ice cream. It has a creamy texture that can't be beat. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice CreamAfter sampling this flavor at an ice cream stand, I kept trying to duplicate it until it was just right. This blueberry cheesecake ice cream is a hit! —Melissa Symington, Neche, North Dakota
London Fog Ice CreamI took one of my favorite coffee shop beverages and turned it into this elegant London fog ice cream. For a star dessert, serve it with lemon sandwich cookies or in a simple glass rimmed with sugar, lavender and lemon zest. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Raspberry Ice Cream in a BagMaking homemade ice cream is fun for the whole family, and the fresh raspberry flavor of this treat makes it a perfect summer activity. Kids can shake the bags until the liquid changes to ice cream and then enjoy the reward! —Erin Hoffman, Canby, Minnesota
Toasted Hazelnut and Chocolate Ice CreamThe flavors in this ice cream take me back to European vacations I've enjoyed in the past. I am a big hazelnut fan, and who doesn't like chocolate? I've been caught red-handed eating Nutella out of the jar with a spoon! —Laura Majchrzak, Hunt Valley, Maryland
Homemade Vanilla Ice CreamWe don't want to brag, but as far as vanilla ice cream recipes go, this one is the best. And with only four ingredients, it just might be the easiest, too. No ice cream maker? No problem. Just follow the directions below to learn how to make homemade ice cream by hand. It's the perfect base for our best ice cream sundae ideas, too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Ice CreamWhen I got my ice cream maker, a friend shared her dreamy freezy cheesecake recipe. For guests, I scoop this into tart shells. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Praline Crunch Ice CreamIf you're a caramel lover, you'll want to try Julia Register's recipe for homemade ice cream topped with pralines and a rich caramel sauce. The Huntersville, North Carolina cook reports that she has used this recipe for ice cream socials at her church. "The homemade caramel sauce goes over well."
Georgia Peach Ice CreamMy state is well known for growing amazing peaches. This ice cream has been a family favorite for more than 50 years! —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia
Refreshing Rhubarb Ice CreamNo matter where my military family is stationed, this ice cream always makes me think of my parents’ backyard rhubarb patch in Rochester, New York. —Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii
Blueberry Ice CreamThe wild blueberries on our property spark recipe ideas. When my daughter and I made this ice cream at a Girl Guide meeting, it was well received. Even today, our 10 children, 19 grandkids and 4 great-grandchildren think it tastes great. —Alma Mosher, Mohannes, New Brunswick
Old-Time Custard Ice CreamI think my most memorable summertime dessert for get-togethers has always been homemade ice cream. This recipe is so rich and creamy and is the perfect splurge on a hot summer afternoon. —Martha Self, Montgomery, Texas
No-Churn Blueberry Graham Cracker Ice CreamThis sweet and creamy no-churn ice cream features a fresh blueberry jam swirl and graham cracker pieces. You can use raspberries instead of the blueberries for a different berry flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
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Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Ice CreamEveryone loves a pumpkin-flavored cheesecake, so we decided to make a cool and creamy ice-cream version. We're thrilled with the result. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sweet Corn Ice CreamYou have to give this novel sweet corn ice cream a try. It’s actually made with corn, sweetly flavored by vanilla extract and maple syrup. I plan to make this surprising treat every summer.—Diana Burrink, Crete, Illinois
Red Curry-Pandan Ice CreamThe curry and coconut flavors are subtle, allowing the flavor of pandan leaves to shine. Pandan is a tropical plant that grows in Southeast Asia with a naturally sweet, bright flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Butterfinger Ice CreamAdd Butterfingers to this icy, creamy combination, and you get a no-fail sweet everyone will love. —Tammy Drost, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Chocolate Crunch Ice CreamMaking ice cream goes smoothly when you do prep work in advance. I make the custard ahead and refrigerate it overnight. Plus, I toast the almonds beforehand and separate my add-ins into labeled containers. —Rosalie Peters, Caldwell, Texas
Lauren Habermehl is a recipe developer, food photographer and creator of the blog, Frydae. She is a prolific quoter of FRIENDS, lover of weekend DIY projects and procrastinating fitness enthusiast who enjoys exploring the Milwaukee-area with her husband, daughter and ugly mutt named Tyson Doodles.
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Updated: Aug. 23, 2022
