Best Coffee Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Aug 06, 2021, Updated Feb 24, 2024

5 from 45 votes

49 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.

Best Coffee Ice Cream Recipe (2)

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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Best Coffee Ice Cream Recipe (12)

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 (15)

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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 45 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!

    Try these recipes

    Coffee Brownies

    Best Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream

    Coffee Cookies

    Cookies and Cream Ice Cream (Oreo Ice Cream)

    Best Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe

    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 much coffee is in coffee ice cream? ›

    Yes, coffee ice cream does contain caffeine.

    On average, a scoop of coffee ice cream contains around 30-45 milligrams of caffeine. This is less than the amount of caffeine found in a typical cup of coffee, which can contain anywhere from 70-140 milligrams of caffeine depending on the size and strength of the brew.

    What goes well with coffee ice cream? ›

    Coffee Ice Cream - Coffee ice cream is delicious when paired with a dark coffee like our French Roast, Fog Chaser, or Extra Dark Italian Roast. Biscotti is the best dessert for dunking into a hot coffee drink. Enjoy this crunchy cookie with our Espresso Roast.

    What does coffee ice cream have in it? ›

    A timeless, unchanged flavor made with Brazilian coffee beans, milk, eggs, cream and sugar. The perfect coffee ice cream? You know it.

    What flavor is coffee ice cream? ›

    Many long for coffee's deep flavor — the bitterness, the earthy profile, the chocolate undertones, and the interplay of acidity and sweetness. This is why coffee ice cream is such a treasured pairing. It blends our love for a strong caffeine buzz with the comfort and nourishment of a rich and creamy bowl of ice cream.

    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 add rich flavor and color, prevent ice crystallization and help create smooth and creamy ice cream.

    What does coffee taste like with condensed milk? ›

    Condensed milk: Vietnamese coffee is thicker and sweeter because it uses sweetened condensed milk instead of fresh milk or cream. This added sweetness dampens the bitterness from the Robusta beans.

    Why is coffee ice cream so good? ›

    It combines the creaminess of ice cream with the boldness of coffee, creating a delightful balance of sweetness and a hint of bitterness.

    Can a 7 year old have coffee ice cream? ›

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no caffeinated coffee, tea, soda, sports drinks or other products for children under the age of 12, while adolescents between the ages of age 12 and 18 should limit their intake to less than 100 milligrams per day -- about the size of an old-fashioned cup of coffee.

    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.

    Does coffee creamer work for ice cream? ›

    As it turns out, coffee creamer may be the perfect ingredient to turn into a delicious bowl of ice cream simply for its all-in-one convenience. With traditional ice cream, you need a handful of ingredients to result in a creamy dessert.

    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.

    What is coffee blended with ice called? ›

    A Frappuccino is a blended coffee drink that is typically made with coffee or espresso, milk, and ice. It is blended together in a blender, which gives it a smooth and creamy texture.

    Can I add vanilla ice cream to my coffee? ›

    However you decide to classify the treat, it's one of the best things to happen to coffee. It consists of a few scoops of vanilla ice cream and a shot of hot espresso. Add a dash of cinnamon if you're feeling especially daring, and you won't need another reason to give this a try.

    Can you add ice to any coffee? ›

    Yes, you can make iced coffee with regular coffee. You can use any type of coffee, but it is recommended to use a strong and bold coffee to keep the flavor after it has been diluted with water.

    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 happens if you put ice cream in hot coffee? ›

    The hot coffee slowly melts the cold ice cream, creating a creamy, sweet coffee float. For extra flavor, top the ice cream with chocolate or caramel sauce before adding the coffee.

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