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Learn how easy it is to make homemade ice cream in your blender. With a few simple ingredients and a high-speed blender like a Vitamix, you can whip up some delicious ice cream in under a minute! Includes a simple base recipe and 6 amazing flavors to try!
Table of Contents
Why Blender Ice Cream Is Amazing
Blender ice cream is your best friend when you want homemade ice cream FAST! It couldn’t be easier!
- Ready in minutes!: This is such a quick and easy recipe. You will be enjoying delicious ice cream with a smooth soft serve texture in minutes from start to finish. Prefer it to be scoopable? Just pop it in the freezer to firm up a bit for an hour or two.
- No ice cream maker needed: Delicious ice cream is instantly created through the magic of a high-speed blender and the frozen fruit in the mixture. This truly is no churn ice cream!
- Made from all natural ingredients: The base is just 3 simple ingredients! All you need is frozen fruit, cream or coconut milk and some sweetener.
So grab your blender and let’s get started! First up, I’ll show you a simple base recipe. This is a formula that you can play with and customize. Not sure what to do with it? Don’t worry! I also included 6 amazing flavor combos to try!
Base Recipe Ingredients
The base recipe is made from three simple ingredients (four if you include an add-in).
- Frozen Fruit: Frozen fruit is required to instantly create the ice cream texture.
- Creamy Liquid: Heavy cream or full fat coconut milk are used for creaminess.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup, honey or organic cane sugar for sweetness.
- Add-ins (optional): This is optional and includes anything added for extra flavor like vanilla extract, cocoa powder, spices, lemon zest, etc.
Simple Blender Ice Cream Formula
Remember this simple formula to easily make fruit flavored ice cream in the blender.
1 pound frozen fruit + 1 cup creamy liquid + 1/4 cup sweetener
Now that you have the basic ratio, the possibilities are endless. Play and have fun with it! Or check out the 6 delicious flavor combos that I put together for you below!
Detailed ingredient list and directions located in the recipe card below.
Powerful Blender Needed
It should come as no surprise that you will need a blender in order to make blender ice cream! Not just any blender will work though. You will need a powerful, high-speed blender to make this recipe.
The directions are written for a Vitamix blender since this is the brand of high-speed blender that I have used for years in my kitchen. This is the Vitamix model that I currently use. However, all Vitamix blenders can tackle ice cream – everything from the Explorian Series to the fancier Ascent Series models.
Other brands of high-speed blenders should also work just fine (especially if they come with a tamper like the Vitamix does to push the frozen fruit down into the blades to blend properly).
How To Make Ice Cream In A Vitamix Blender
Making ice cream in the Vitamix is so easy!
- Place all the ingredients in the Vitamix blender in the order listed and secure the lid.
- Start the blender on the lowest speed and quickly increase to the highest speed. Blend on high while using the tamper to push the frozen fruit down into the blades.
- Continue blending until the sound of the motor changes and four mounds form on top. This take about 30 seconds. Stop the blender! Don’t overmix or it will melt.
Note: If your blender model has a “Frozen Desserts” program, you can select to run it while using the tamper to press the frozen fruit into the blades.
Serving Time! Serve immediately for a smooth soft serve texture (my favorite!) or transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for an hour or two to firm up to a more scoopable consistency.
Tips For Success
- Liquids first! The liquids should always be placed in the blender before the frozen fruit to help the blending process.
- Don’t over blend! STOP when you see the four mounds appear on top. It doesn’t take long (about 30 seconds). If you run the blender too long, it will start to heat up and melt the ice cream.
- Use the tamper! The tamper helps you press the frozen fruit into the blades for a delicious creamy texture in seconds. Frozen desserts usually don’t have enough liquid to blend properly without the help of a tamper. Only use the tamper designed for your blender! It will not be able to come into contact with the blades when inserted through the lid plug.
- Honey: Thicker varieties of honey sometimes doesn’t blend through properly. Therefore, if you are using honey as your sweetener, you may want to first combine it with the liquid before continuing.
6 Flavor Combos To Try!
Ready to make some blender ice cream? Now that you have the basic formula, it’s time to create some amazing ice cream recipes! Just remember the simple ratio of 1 pound of frozen fruit to 1 cup creamy liquid to achieve the perfect consistency every time.
Sometimes we need a little inspiration to get the creative juices flowing. Here are six delicious flavor combos to get you started! Detailed measurements provided in the recipe card below.
- Strawberries + Cream: One of my favorites since I absolutely love strawberry recipes! Made with frozen strawberries, heavy cream, vanilla extract and sweetener of choice.
- Chocolate Cherry: Cherries and chocolate are a natural match! This flavor is made with frozen cherries, heavy cream or coconut milk, cocoa powder, sweetener of choice and a touch of almond extract.
- Pineapple: This one tastes like a pina colada! Made with frozen pineapple, coconut milk and sweetener of choice.
- Blueberry Lemon: Blueberries and lemon complement each other so well! Made with frozen blueberries, heavy cream or coconut milk, maple syrup and the zest and juice of a lemon.
- Peaches + Cream: Nothing says summer like peaches! This flavor is made with frozen peach slices, heavy cream, vanilla extract and sweetener of choice.
- Mango Coconut: This flavor gives me all the tropical vibes! Made with frozen mango, coconut milk and maple syrup or honey for sweetness.
Blender Ice Cream FAQ
You will need a powerful, high-speed blender to make this recipe. I use a Vitamix but other brands of high powered blenders should also be fine especially if they come with a tamper to push the frozen fruit down into the blades for a smooth blend.
Frozen fruit is required to instantly create the ice cream texture. If using fresh fruit, you would need to cut it up first and freeze it before making the ice cream.
For a creamy ice cream taste and texture, I recommend using a creamy liquid like heavy cream or full fat coconut milk. However, you can use any liquid you like. Use other types of milk for a lighter consistency, yogurt to make frozen yogurt or even juice for a sorbet type dessert.
This will depend on the fruit being used and how large the pieces are. For the perfect consistency every time, I highly recommend using weight to maintain the proper ratio. To make it easy, just purchase 1 pound bags of frozen fruit. If using larger bags or fruit that you froze yourself, measure it out on a kitchen scale.
Definitely! Use the full fat coconut milk option to make it dairy free. To make it vegan, use the coconut milk and either maple syrup or cane sugar to sweeten.
Freeze unused ice cream in a freezer-safe container. I like these cute ice cream tubs. When ready to enjoy, allow the ice cream to soften at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
More Easy Frozen Treats
If you love frozen treats, then check out these other easy recipes:
Let me know if you try this blender ice cream recipe and which flavor you make! Leave me a comment below or tag me on Instagram.
Easy Blender Ice Cream (6 Amazing Flavors)
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: American
Description
Learn how easy it is to make blender ice cream. With a few simple ingredients and a high-speed blender like a Vitamix, you can whip up some delicious homemade ice cream in minutes! Includes a simple base recipe and 6 amazing flavors to try!
Ingredients
Base Recipe Formula
- 1 cup heavy cream/whipping cream or full fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup sweetener (maple syrup, organic cane sugar, honey), or to taste
- 1 pound (450 grams) frozen fruit
- Optional Add-Ins: e.g. extracts (vanilla almond, etc), cocoa powder, spices, lemon or lime zest, etc.
Strawberries + Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream
- 1/4 cup sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, organic cane sugar)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pound (450 grams) frozen strawberries
Mango Coconut
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 pound (450 grams) frozen mango
Chocolate Cherry
- 1 cup heavy cream or full fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup sweetener of choice (organic cane sugar, maple syrup, honey)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 pound (450 grams) pitted frozen cherries
Peaches + Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream
- 1/4 cup sweetener of choice (organic cane sugar, honey, maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pound (450 grams) frozen peach slices
Blueberry Lemon
- 1 cup heavy cream or full fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
- 1 pound (450 grams) frozen blueberries
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
Pineapple (Pina Colada)
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, organic cane sugar)
- 1 pound (450 grams) frozen pineapple
Instructions
- Add Ingredients: Pick one of the recipes or create your own combo using the Base Recipe Formula. Place all the ingredients in the Vitamix (or other high speed blender) in the order listed and secure the lid.
- Blend: Start the blender on the lowest speed and quickly increase to the highest speed. Blend on high for about 30 seconds, using the tamper to push the frozen fruit into the blades. It’s done when the sound of the motor changes and four mounds form on top.
- Serve: Serve immediately for a smooth soft serve texture or transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for an hour or two to firm up to a scoopable consistency.
Notes
- Powerful blender required: A high-speed blender with a tamper to push the frozen fruit into the blades is needed for this to blend properly. Vitamix blenders are great for making frozen desserts like this. This is the Vitamix model that I use currently but they all work great! Remember to only use a tamper that is designed for your blender – it should never come in contact with the blades!
- Frozen Desserts Program: If your blender model comes with a Frozen Desserts program, you can select to run it while using the tamper to push the frozen fruit into the blades.
- Liquids First: Place the ingredients in the blender in the order listed – the liquid always goes in first to help the blending process.
- Don’t over blend! Stop when you see the four mounds appear on top. It doesn’t take long (about 30 seconds). Running the blender too long will heat up and melt the ice cream.
- Storing leftovers: Freeze unused ice cream in a freezer-safe container. I like to use these cute ice cream tubs. Allow it to soften for 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.
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Would like the ingredients listed in cups instead of pounds. Love how simple and Delicious.
I am so happy that you enjoyed the recipe! So the reason I list the fruit by weight is to ensure that you have the perfect texture and consistent results by maintaining the correct ratio. It is difficult to accurately measure frozen fruit by cups since it can vary so much depending on the type of fruit and how large the pieces are and how the cup is filled. To make it easy, you can look for 1 pound bags of frozen fruit. If using larger bags or fruit that you froze yourself, it is super quick and easy to measure with a kitchen scale (many inexpensive options available).
Delicious! I made these ice cream flavors when we had friends over who couldn’t eat store bought ice cream due to allergies. Both the coconut milk and the heavy cream tasted great. I love how fast and healthy this delicious ice cream is! (I like the chocolate cherry the best – my husband prefers strawberry).
I’m so happy that you loved it! Perfect for people with allergies since you know exactly what is going in it so you can easily modify as needed. Thanks for sharing your favorites! I always find it so interesting since everyone picks something different.
Question? Can you use whole milk for less fat and cholesterol.
Definitely – you can substitute the cream or full fat coconut milk for any type of milk you prefer. The texture and taste will not be as creamy though.
I have an ice cream machine, but this is even easier. And I can’t decide which flavour is the favourite!
I have one too but it takes a lot of advance planning! Blender ice cream is great when you want your ice cream fix immediately!
I really need to get a vitamix – I want to make this soooo badly!
I love mine!
great list of fruity ideas for the ice cream! I think my fav was peaches and cream next to mango!
They are all so delicious – it can be hard to decide!
So far we’ve tried the mango, which was good and the chocolate cherry and OMG! IT IS SPECTACULAR! YAY! Dairy-free ice cream-like treat!
I’m so happy that you loved it! It’s always fun to find out which flavor other people like best. When my family was testing them all out, everyone had a different fave lol.
YUM! I tried a few of these fruit suggestions and I think mango was my favourite by far. Such an easy (and healthy) summer treat…perfect for all the hot weather we’ve been having.
The mango ice cream is delicious! Glad you enjoyed it!
Blender ice cream is THE BEST. It makes it so simple. That pina colada flavor is calling my name- perfect for end of summer hehe
I love how easy it is! The pina colada flavor is always a great choice!
You make it look so easy to make these! (and I want to get Vitamix even more!)
It is so incredibly easy to make blender ice cream with a Vitamix! You’ll be amazed if you get one. Mine has a permanent spot on the counter!
Even though I have an ice cream maker, I love using a blender because it is easier. I appreciate all of the good info. you included in this post. It was easy and delicious! Blueberry lemon is my favorite. Beautiful images as well.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! The ice cream maker is great if you plan ahead. However, sometimes you want that ice cream immediately. Blender ice cream is great for satisfying that craving right away!
I made the peach ice cream tonight. It was delicious and easy. I will definitely make it again.
Such a great flavour! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!