"There aren’t many—if any at all—instances that wouldn’t be bettered with ice cream. Watching fireworks for the Fourth of July? Perfect time for ice cream. Driving home from swim lessons? May as well stop for ice cream. Summertime apple pie looking a little bland? Nothing a scoop of vanilla can’t fix!
You get the idea. While a good thing may still be a good thing without ice cream, 99 percent of the time, a cold scoop of deliciousness will enhance it. But what’s even better than stopping by an ice cream shop on the way home or coming home with your favorite brand from the grocery store? Making it at home!
Like picking out the perfect scoop at your favorite ice cream shop, we deserve options, even when we’re in our own kitchen. That’s why we wanted to bring together all of the fun summer ice cream recipes your heart could possibly desire. We’re talking everything from the classics to extra-special ice cream-centric desserts—and even an option specifically for the parents! Read on for 30+ of our favorite ice cream recipes for summer.
Homemade Ice Cream Recipes
1. Rainbow Ice Cream
An ice cream that looks at least as pretty as it tastes! Learn the secret to creating a colorful rainbow swirl as you make this tasty no-churn vanilla ice cream recipe.
2. No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream
Let’s be sure we cover the classics. This chocolate ice cream recipe requires no churning (because who has time for that?) and is even more delicious than you can imagine.
3. S’mores Ice Cream
We knew this list of ice cream recipes wouldn’t be complete without this inclusion after we came across it. S’mores are a pillar of summertime fun, so combining them with ice cream can only mean one thing: best. summer. ever.
4. Strawberry Dole Whip
If you’ve never had a Dole whip before, it’s essentially a creamy plus tangy pineapple soft serve that’s seriously addictive if tropical fruits are your thing. When you’re a strawberry lover, blending a handful in only makes this ice cream treat taste that much better.
5. Shark Frenzy Ice Cream
Who says we can’t play with our food? Or at least have fun with it? This is a fun twist on the classic vanilla ice cream and can be customized with any food coloring and gummy candy of choice.
6. Honey Ice Cream
As you enjoy a scoop of this luscious ice cream, give a shoutout to all those busy bees who have blessed us with the sweet and golden gift of honey this summer.
7. Roasted Strawberry Balsamic Ice Cream
Take your classic strawberry ice cream and make it just that much better with this recipe! Strawberries are a staple of summer, but who knew using balsamic vinegar can really enhance their flavor? Now that we do, we’ll never go back!
8. Homemade Cereal Milk Ice Cream
We know how it sounds, but no, this recipe doesn’t require you save the milk at the bottom of your bowl of cereal. It does, however, get all of the same yummy flavor by steeping cereal in a creamy mixture overnight. This is such a fun twist on everyday ice cream that you won’t want to miss out on.
9. Avocado Ice Cream
Anyone who has become an avocado-aficionado needs to try this recipe ASAP. If you’re feeling a bit unsure, that’s OK. Once you give this combo of rich, creamy avocado and sweet ice cream a try, there will be no going back.
10. Oat Milk Ice Cream
If you want to perfect the art of creating a dairy-free ice cream that leaves everyone in wonder at how good it is—and not just how good it is “for being vegan”—then this is the one that’s going to take you there.
11. Moscato & Blackberry Ice Cream
This one’s for the adults only—sorry, kiddos! But parents deserve something sweet, too. This boozy ice cream recipe is a divine way to end a summer date night.
12. Hazelnut and Salted Caramel Ice Cream
A sweet and salty combination is always welcome in my household, and it doesn’t get much better than salted caramel. Add in the earthy sweetness of the hazelnut to this recipe and you’ve got a treat that’s simply decadent.
13. Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Recipe
Get those fresh-picked summer blueberries ready because this no-churn cheesecake ice cream recipe is going to turn them into one very berry fabulous dessert!
14. Paleo Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Anyone trying out paleo or needing to be dairy-free, be sure to check out this recipe. It has all the goodness of regular chocolate chip ice cream without refined sugar.
15. Easy Banana Ice Cream
Is there such a thing as too much ice cream in the summer? We’ll let you be the judge of that, but in case your answer is yes, this “ice cream” recipe is made entirely with bananas and includes 10 creative flavors for jazzing it up.
16. Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
Prepare for this ice cream to blow your mind. And before we lose you on the idea of putting cottage cheese in ice cream, know that the concept went viral for a reason. There’s no cottage cheese flavor, and this recipe is packed with protein—meaning we can actually feel good about eating ice cream. I’d call that a win!
17. Mango Dark Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
For those who appreciate a good fruit and chocolate combo, you’ll totally dig this juicy mango ice cream recipe. Think chocolate covered mango pieces, but in refreshing ice cream form.
Ice Cream Dessert Recipes
18. Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches
There are a lot of ways to house an ice cream sandwich, but if your child adores waffles then they’re going to jump at the chance to make these. It’s also a perfect recipe for getting their little hands involved!
19. Ice Cream Nachos
Never did I think nachos could get any better… then I found this recipe. This would be a great dessert to make for a birthday celebration for anyone who never turns down an ice cream sundae run.
20. Neapolitan Ice Cream Sandwiches
This is a no-fuss recipe that’s almost guaranteed to top any prepackaged neapolitan alternatives. All you have to do is prepare the soft chocolate cookie base, spread on your go-to vanilla and strawberry ice creams, and you’ll be in tricolor ice cream heaven.
21. Roasted Peaches
For most places, summertime means fresh peach season and it’s only right we take advantage of them while we can. These roasted peaches with cinnamon ice cream are exactly what the family needs at the end of a hot day.
22. Grilled Banana Ice Cream Sundae
Alongside ice cream recipes, summer is all about grilling recipes too, of course. Check both of these summertime musts off your list by building these mouthwatering banana split-like ice cream sundaes.
23. Animal Cookie Ice Cream Cake
I, too, once thought the best ice cream cake had to be bought. I’m happy to say I was mistaken. Keep this recipe bookmarked for your next summer birthday celebration for an animal cracker-loving kiddo.
24. Cake Batter Milkshakes
If you enjoy your ice cream in milkshake form, get festive by trying this cake batter-flavored one. Creating that quintessential cake batter ice cream flavor is easier than you might think, and this three-ingredient recipe will show you how.
25. Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
I’m not sure a combination more delicious than ice cream and cookies actually exists. In this easy-to-follow recipe, make the most beloved combination that’s the ultimate summer treat.
26. Chocolate Cookie Dough Swirl Vegan Ice Cream Bars
If you usually grab Magnum bars from your grocery store’s freezer section, then these bars are for you. Not only do they include a homemade cookie dough recipe that’s delish, but they can be made entirely plant-based if you so choose!
27. Brown Butter Cinnamon Ice Cream Float
We all know (and love) the classic root beer float, but this recipe takes the concept and makes it 10 times better. This yummy delight is made with cream soda, brown butter apple cinnamon ice cream, and salted honey caramel—yum!
28. Fried Ice Cream
I remember hearing about fried ice cream for the first time and thinking that the logistics couldn’t possibly make sense. Lucky for all of us, with this recipe, we can easily make this delicious treat at home with little mess!
29. Cereal Ice Cream Sandwiches
Little ones are notorious for loving cereal. With this recipe, they can pair their favorite breakfast item with the sweetest treat of summer.
30. Doughnut Ice Cream Sandwiches
The only thing we can think of that’s more delicious than an ice cream cookie sandwich is an ice cream doughnut sandwich. Indulge yourself this summer with a treat unlike any other.
31. Peanut Butter S’mores Chocolate Ice Cream Cake
Peanut butter, s’mores, chocolate, oh my! All of the decadent flavors of summer mesh together wonderfully in this no-bake dessert.
32. Oreo Ice Cream Cake
Oreos and ice cream simply make sense. Anyone who loves the classic sandwich cookie will find their new favorite dessert with this sweet recipe.
Brett Nicole Hayden, Assistant Editor
As the Assistant Editor, Brett works with the editors of The Everymom on the content creation process by updating stories, sourcing images and graphics, and pitching and contributing her own articles. Her favorite topics to write about are culture, relationships, and living. She’s also The Everymom’s resident baby names and family movies expert!
Katherine Ballesta-Rosen, Editorial Intern
Besides being an avid reader and writer since girlhood, Katherine decided to kick her literacy-laden background up a notch by receiving her Master’s in teaching, and went on to teach English Language Arts to high schoolers for several years. As an intern at The Everymom, Katherine writes about topics such as maternal wellness, sex and relationships, and more.