This delicious and easy, Halloween ice cream recipe with pumpkin spice flavor blends real pumpkin purée with warm spices and spooky decorations to create a haunted treat that's perfect for both kids and adults.
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🧡 An Easy & Unique Halloween Dessert
This haunted Halloween dessert will put you in the mood for hay rides and apple picking. Plus, the festive sprinkles and orange color make it perfect for this holiday! The best part is: you can make it ahead of time and have it ready in the freezer days or even weeks in advance.
If you've got kids in the house, you're probably no stranger to Halloween parties filled with festive snacks and treats. Why not try something totally different by serving up a big bowl of homemade no-churn ice cream? You don't need an ice cream maker for this recipe! An electric mixer will do.
The coldness of the dessert perfectly complements the crisp fall air, and the rich pumpkin purée and seasonal spices make you think of autumn baking bought from a farmer's market (such as a delicious clear pumpkin pie).
It's the perfect way to celebrate the holiday with your little ghouls and goblins after a long night of trick-or-treating. And if you're having a family get-together, you can treat everyone to the sweet, refreshing taste of real, pumpkin spice-flavored ice cream. Adults deserve a sweet treat on Halloween too!
Speaking of pumpkin spice, you'll probably also love this homemade pumpkin spice coffee creamer, pumpkin spice baked oatmeal for a fall-themed breakfast and pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting for dessert lovers.
🎃 Ingredients
- pumpkin purée - Make sure to get a can of the pure pumpkin purée, not the sweetened pie mix. Although that could still work for this recipe, it will be on the sweeter side.
- spices - Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and turmeric. The turmeric is for natural orange color. If you want it to be more bold, try adding some orange food coloring.
- sweetened condensed milk - This is the key ingredient in no churn ice cream, providing the sweetness and creamy texture that mimics real ice cream.
- whipped cream - For the topping. I like to use either the prepared frozen product or whipped cream in a can.
- Halloween candy sprinkles - Use whatever you have on hand or can find at the grocery store--just keep it spooky and choose Halloween colors.
- candy corn (not pictured) - Another popular option. It's a sweet blend of creamy fondant, marshmallow, and vanilla.
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
Chef's Note: You can also add some spooky decorations to the list.
👻 How to Make Halloween Ice Cream
Step 1. Combine pumpkin and spices. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin purée with the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, turmeric and vanilla extract.
Step 2. Add milk. Add the sweetened condensed milk. Combine with an electric hand mixer until it is smooth.
Step 3. Whip. In a separate large bowl, whip the heavy cream with the electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
Step 4. Combine cream with pumpkin. Gently combine the whipped cream and pumpkin mixture, a little at a time, with the electric mixer on low speed, until smooth. Alternatively, you can fold it in with a spatula.
Joss' Pro Tip #1: A trick I've learned over time is to make sure the whipped cream is thoroughly combined with the condensed milk, for a more creamy texture instead of icy. This is why I usually use the hand mixer instead of a spatula, because it does combine it better. As long as you stop just after it's combined, it shouldn't lead to an over-whipping issue.
Step 5. Freeze. Pour the mixture into a loaf pan. Cover with a piece of wax paper, making sure it is touching the ice cream. Place in the freezer for 6 to 7 hours, until solid.
Step 6. Scoop. To serve, let the ice cream sit for about 5 minutes at room temperature to make it easier to scoop out. Scoop into bowls or dessert dishes.
Step 7. Top and serve. Top the ice cream with the extra whipped cream, candy corn (if using) and Halloween sprinkles, kind of like a Halloween Sundae. You can also decorate the area with Halloween decorations!
Joss' Pro Tip #2: If you end up with leftover purée after making Halloween ice cream, check out this post on what to do with leftover prepared pumpkin pie filling (which includes many recipes that use the plain purée).
🧛🏻♀️ Serving Suggestions
- Add sprinkles. To make it festive, you can top each bowl of ice cream with Halloween sprinkles right before serving.
- Customize the toppings. If sprinkles aren't your thing, you can add Halloween-shaped marshmallows or use a combination of black-and-orange toppings like chocolate and peanut butter chips, or hot fudge and caramel swirl. Marshmallow and pumpkin go together beautifully (just like in my marshmallow pumpkin latte).
- Serveware matters. Find some Halloween-themed spoons to serve it with.
- Everyone loves an ice cream bar. You can even set out bowls of toppings on the counter and let your guests choose their own, like a build-your-own Halloween ice cream bar. They would look great on the table surrounded by some Halloween decorations.
- Don't forget the music. It's fun for both kids and adults, and it's the perfect way to end a long night of celebrating the ghostly holiday. Don't forget to get your Halloween music playlist going in the background, too.
❓ Halloween Ice Cream FAQs
It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 to 3 months.
Don't panic if it comes out of the freezer really hard. Simply let it thaw for about 5 to 10 minutes before scooping.
To help prevent ice crystals/freezer burn, press parchment or wax paper directly onto the surface of the ice cream when freezing and/or store it in an airtight container.
Here is where you can get really creative! Some of the most commonly used toppings are chocolate sprinkles, Halloween sprinkles, candy corn and candy eye balls. You could also try some strawberry sauce, Reese's Pieces, gummy worms, Oreo crumbs, mini marshmallows and more. And don't forget the spooky decor!
🖤 More Ice Cream Recipes You Will Love
What did you add to make this dessert more 🦇🕸️ spooky? If you tried this 🎃🍨 Halloween Ice Cream Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
Halloween Ice Cream
Ingredients
For the No Churn Ice Cream
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon turmeric - optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk - 14 ounces
- 2 cups heavy cream
Toppings
- whipped cream - to serve
- Halloween candy sprinkles
- candy corn
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin purée with the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, turmeric and vanilla extract.1 cup pumpkin purée, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the sweetened condensed milk. Combine with an electric hand mixer until it is smooth.1 can sweetened condensed milk
- In a separate large bowl, whip the heavy cream with the electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.2 cups heavy cream
- Gradually combine the whipped cream and pumpkin mixture, with the electric mixer on low speed, until smooth. Alternatively, you can fold it in with a spatula.
- Pour the mixture into a loaf pan. Cover with a piece of wax paper, making sure it is touching the ice cream. Place in the freezer for 6 to 7 hours, until solid.
- To serve, let the ice cream sit for about 5 minutes at room temperature to make it easier to scoop out. Scoop into bowls and serve with the extra whipped cream, candy corn and Halloween sprinkles. You can also decorate the area with Halloween decorations.
Equipment
- Spooky decorations
Notes
- Store in the freezer for up to 2 to 3 months. To help prevent ice crystals/freezer burn, press parchment or wax paper directly onto the surface of the ice cream when freezing and/or store it in an airtight container.
- The turmeric is for natural orange color. If you want it to be more bold, try adding some orange food coloring.
- For decor ideas, try to find some Halloween-themed spoons and/or bowls to serve it with. You can easily find fun, Halloween decor at the dollar stores.
- You can even set out bowls of toppings on the counter and let your guests choose their own, like a build-your-own ice cream bar. They would look great on the table surrounded by some Halloween decorations.
- Some of the most commonly used toppings are chocolate sprinkles, Halloween sprinkles, candy corn and candy eye balls. You could also try some strawberry sauce, Reese's Pieces, gummy worms, Oreo crumbs, mini marshmallows and more. And don't forget the spooky decor!
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Joss says
It tastes like pumpkin pie and looks great for Halloween!