Best Coffee Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Aug 06, 2021, Updated Feb 24, 2024

5 from 46 votes

50 Comments

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Rich, ultra-creamy, with a bold coffee flavor — this is the best homemade coffee ice cream recipe! It’s easy to make with only 7 ingredients and is better than store-bought or ice cream parlor varieties.

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We love using our ice cream maker to create the best versions of our favorite flavors in the comfort of our own home.

I created this coffee ice cream for my son! He has always been my coffee kid, the first time I gave him a sip of my black coffee he loved it. Well, on vacation a few years ago he tried coffee ice cream and declared it was his all-time favorite flavor. So naturally, we had to create the best coffee ice cream recipe so we could make it and enjoy it whenever the craving strikes.

This recipe is rich, ultra-creamy, and has a bold coffee flavor. It’s easy to make with only 7 ingredients and is better than any store-bought variety! Plus, you can use decaf instant coffee to make it caffeine-free if you’re making it for coffee-loving kids like my son!

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Coffee Ice Cream: Ingredients

Here are a few notes about the ingredients and possible substitutions in this coffee ice cream recipe.

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  • Half and half/heavy cream. This recipe calls for 3 cups of liquid dairy. You can change the ratios of half and half : cream if desired, as long as the total amount equals 3 cups. You could also substitute some of the liquid with whole milk.
  • Granulated sugar.Organic cane sugar works well in place of white granulated sugar.
  • Fine sea salt.if using iodized salt, reduce the amount by half.
  • Pure vanilla extract.I don’t recommend using imitation vanilla. However vanilla bean paste is a good substitute.
  • Instant Coffee. High quality instant coffee is worth purchasing to make this recipe. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated work well.
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How to Make Coffee Ice Cream

This coffee ice cream involves making a custard, straining it and then chilling the mixture for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight). So make sure to begin the process the day before you want to enjoy it!

Make the Custard

To begin, warm the half and half, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking to dissolve sugar.

Then, in a separate bowl beat the egg yolks. Add ½ cup of the warm mixture to the egg yolks and whisk to combine.

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Next, add the warm egg mixture to the half and half on the stovetop and whisk in the coffee granulates until dissolved.

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Cook the custard over medium-low heat stirring constantly until the mixture thickens slightly – just barely sticking to the back of a spatula or until it reaches 170 degrees F.

Once thickened, put the heavy cream into a bowl with a fine mesh strainer on top of the bowl. Strain the custard into the heavy cream and discard what is left on the strainer. Add vanilla extract, stir to combine.

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Chill

Transfer the coffee ice cream mixture into an airtight container and cool completely in the fridge (preferably overnight).

Churn

Pour the coffee ice cream mixture into an ice cream maker and churn until frozen (about 30-40 minutes).

If desired, add mix-ins like chocolate chunks, a chocolates swirl, or even crumbled coffee cookies (YUM)!

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Freeze

Transfer the homemade coffee ice cream to an airtight container and freeze completely, about 4 hours.

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Serve

Enjoy this coffee ice cream with a dollop of homemade whipped cream for an extra special treat! Or, serve on top of coffee brownies.

I have also made ice cream cookie sandwiches using coffee cookies and coffee ice cream – to die for!

Store

This homemade coffee ice cream can be stored in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

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Coffee Ice Cream Recipe FAQs

How do you make coffee ice cream from scratch?

Follow this recipe! It’s so easy!

Can you put coffee grounds in ice cream?

I do not recommend doing this. Use brewed coffee or instant coffee granules (as called for in this recipe) to make the best coffee ice cream.

What can I substitute for instant coffee in a recipe?

You can use espresso powder in place of instant coffee.

Does coffee ice cream keep you awake?

If you use caffeinated coffee you definitely run the risk of it effecting your ability to fall asleep. To avoid this, use decaffeinated instant coffee.

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If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

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Best Coffee Ice Cream Recipe

Laura

Rich, ultra-creamy, with a bold coffee flavor — this is the best homemade coffee ice cream recipe! It’s easy to make with only 7 ingredients and is better than store-bought or ice cream parlor varieties.

5 from 46 votes

Course Dessert, ice cream

Cuisine American

Servings 12 Servings

Calories 208

Prep Time20 minutes minutes

Cook Time10 minutes minutes

Churning & freezing6 hours hours

Total Time6 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Warm half and half, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking to dissolve sugar.

  • Beat egg yolks in a small mixing bowl, add ½ cup of the warm mixture to the egg yolks and whisk to combine. Then add that mixture to the half and half on the stovetop.

  • Whisk in coffee granulates until dissolved.

  • Cook over medium-low heat stirring constantly until the mixture thickens slightly – just barely sticking to the back of a spatula or until it reaches 170 degrees F.

  • Place the heavy cream into a bowl with a fine mesh strainer on top of the bowl.

  • Strain the custard into the heavy cream. Discard what is left on the strainer.

  • Add vanilla extract, stir to combine.

  • Transfer to an airtight container and cool completely in the fridge (preferably overnight).

  • Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and churn until frozen (about 30-40 minutes).

  • Transfer to an airtight container and freeze completely, about 4 hours.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Half and half/heavy cream. This recipe calls for 3 cups of liquid dairy. You can change the ratios of half and half : cream if desired, as long as the total amount equals 3 cups. You could also substitute some of the liquid with whole milk.
  • Granulated sugar.Organic cane sugar works well in place of white granulated sugar.
  • Fine sea salt.if using iodized salt, reduce the amount by half.
  • Pure vanilla extract.I don’t recommend using imitation vanilla. However vanilla bean paste is a good substitute.
  • Instant Coffee. High quality instant coffee is worth purchasing to make this recipe. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated work well.

Store

Store this coffee ice cream in a freezer-friendly container for up to 3 months. Here are some of our favorites:

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.25cups | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 97mg | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 521IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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    Best Coffee Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    How to make homemade coffee ice cream without eggs? ›

    Make sure the base of your ice cream maker is frozen if needed. Place 1 1/2 cups whole milk, 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup instant espresso powder in a large bowl and whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Add 3 cups cold heavy cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and whisk to combine.

    How to make the best quality ice cream? ›

    Ice cream is only as good as the ingredients used to make it. So if you can afford it, buy organic milk and cream and free-range eggs, making sure that everything is as fresh as can be. If you're adding flavorings or ingredients, such as chocolate, vanilla or fruit, spring for high-quality products.

    How much coffee is in coffee ice cream? ›

    In a ½ cup serving of Häagen-Dazs' coffee ice cream, you'll get 21.6 mg of caffeine. For perspective, that's a little more than ¼ cup of brewed coffee. A full 14 oz carton is 75.6 mg.

    How do you make coffee ice cream less bitter? ›

    Balancing Sweetness and Bitterness

    After you've infused the coffee flavor into the cream and milk, you'll need to strain out the coffee grounds and add the sugar and eggs. The sugar and eggs will not only sweeten and thicken the base, but also balance out the bitterness of the coffee.

    How do you make coffee taste creamy? ›

    Add Creamer To Your Coffee Grounds Before Brewing

    Adding creamer to your coffee grounds before brewing is a great way to add flavour and sweetness to your coffee. It will also help to create a creamy texture, making for a smooth and decadent cup of joe.

    Is it OK to put raw eggs in homemade ice cream? ›

    What's the danger in ice cream? Since thorough cooking is nec- essary to destroy the salmonella bacteria, foods that contain raw or lightly cooked eggs—such as ice cream, eggnog, undercooked scrambled or soft boiled eggs, and homemade mayonnaise— are risky and should be avoided.

    Why do you put raw eggs in homemade ice cream? ›

    Eggs leverage the fat already present in the ice cream base (the butterfat in cream and milk) and make it work even further for a creamier texture. But wait, there's more! Egg yolks also improve the stability of an ice cream, reducing its tendency to melt before you can get it from freezer to cone to mouth.

    What is a substitute for raw eggs in ice cream? ›

    Here are some suggestions for safe alternatives to using raw eggs in your homemade ice cream:
    • Find a recipe that is eggless. It's easy and tastes just as good!
    • Use pasteurized shell eggs or pasteurized egg substitutes in recipes calling for raw eggs.
    • Use a recipe that contains a cooked custard base.
    Oct 20, 2022

    What are the 3 most important ingredients of ice cream? ›

    If you have ever made ice cream, you already know what goes into it, ingredients such as milk, cream, and sugar. But there is one main ingredient that you may not have thought about, probably because you can't see it—air.

    What is the secret ingredient to ice cream? ›

    It's the fat. The milk fat in ice cream is mostly what gives ice cream that creamy rich taste and feeling in your mouth. The creamiest ice creams have about 16% fat and the least creamy have about 10% fat.

    What is the secret to making ice cream very creamy? ›

    When it comes to great ice cream, cold temperatures and speed are your friends: the faster you bring your base from liquid to solid, the creamier it'll be. In a 2-quart unit, a typical batch of ice cream will take between 18 and 25 minutes to churn.

    What does coffee ice cream have in it? ›

    Ingredients. Milk, cream, skim milk, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, natural coffee, cellulose gum, vegetable gums (guar, carrageenan, carob bean), annatto color, caramel color.

    Do they put coffee in coffee ice cream? ›

    As the name suggests, coffee ice cream is made with coffee, which naturally contains caffeine. However, the amount of caffeine in coffee ice cream can vary depending on the recipe and the amount of coffee used. On average, a scoop of coffee ice cream contains around 30-45 milligrams of caffeine.

    Can you put coffee grounds in ice cream? ›

    Grounds from your morning cup of joe can be repurposed both in and out of the kitchen. Here, we use spent coffee grounds to make a creamy, smooth ice cream. The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes.

    Can you just add ice to coffee to make iced coffee? ›

    Cool the coffee

    Or, if you're really short on time, pour the brewed coffee over ice and stir well. Note that pouring hot coffee directly over ice can result in a diluted and watered-down taste. It's recommended to allow the hot coffee to cool down first, which helps maintain the full flavor of the coffee.

    Do you just put ice in coffee to make iced coffee? ›

    Iced coffee is brewed hot coffee, that's cooled then simply poured over ice. You can brew it any way you like (and make it as strong as you like), but you'll have to plan in advance.

    What is it called when you put ice cream in coffee? ›

    Affogato – coffee, dessert and your after dinner drink, all rolled into one. This is what you have when you're “too full for dessert”! Just pour espresso coffee over vanilla gelato or ice cream, enjoy the melty swirls and dig in. The Italians are genius.

    Does coffee ice cream taste like coffee? ›

    Coffee ice cream is a popular flavor that combines the sweetness of ice cream with the rich and bold flavor of coffee. For many coffee lovers, it's the perfect way to satisfy their sweet tooth and get their caffeine fix at the same time.

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