Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Recipe

Strawberry shortcake ice cream brings back summer memories of creamy, strawberry-swirled treats with crunchy cookie crumbs. Here, I’ve crafted a homemade version that’s easy, nostalgic, and perfect for sharing. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe that’s sure to bring people together!

A Sweet History of Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

Strawberry shortcake, a 19th-century American classic, combined fluffy biscuits, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream. In the 20th century, brands like Good Humor transformed it into frozen strawberry shortcake ice cream bars, blending creamy strawberry and vanilla ice cream with a cake-like coating. Today, this treat evokes nostalgia and summer joy, and my homemade version adds a personal twist to this timeless dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

• Nostalgic: Relive childhood with creamy strawberry swirls and crunchy crumbs.
• Easy: No-churn option makes it beginner-friendly.
• Versatile: Make bars, scoopable ice cream, or adapt for dietary needs.
• Perfect for Sharing: Ideal for picnics, parties, or family gatherings.

Ingredients

• For the Ice Cream Base:
  • 2 cups heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (or vegan alternative)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
• For the Strawberry Swirl:
  • 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
• For the Coating:
  • 1 ½ cups shortcake or vanilla cookie crumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 2 tbsp melted butter (or vegan butter)

Substitutions:

• Swap strawberries for raspberries or peaches.
• Use coconut milk for a vegan version.
• Try graham crackers for a different crunch.

Equipment Needed

• Popsicle molds (for bars) or a loaf pan (for scoopable ice cream)
• Blender or food processor
• Mixing bowls and whisk

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberry Swirl

1. In a saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
2. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
3. Mash or blend for a smoother texture, then cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Ice Cream Base

1. Whip heavy cream to soft peaks in a large bowl.
2. Gently fold in condensed milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Swirl in half the cooled strawberry mixture, leaving visible streaks.

Step 3: Assemble

• For Ice Cream Bars:
  1. Spoon the ice cream mixture into popsicle molds, layering with strawberry swirl.
  2. Insert sticks and freeze for 6-8 hours.
  3. Mix cookie crumbs with melted butter. Dip or sprinkle frozen bars with crumbs before serving.
• For Scoopable Ice Cream:
  1. Pour half the ice cream mixture into a loaf pan.
  2. Add dollops of strawberry swirl, then top with remaining ice cream.
  3. Swirl with a knife, sprinkle cookie crumbs on top, and freeze for 6-8 hours.
• No-Churn Option: Follow the scoopable method, skipping the molds for simplicity.

Step 4: Serve

• For bars, run molds under warm water to release.
• For scoopable, let soften for 5 minutes before scooping.
• Garnish with fresh strawberries or extra crumbs for flair.

Recipe Variations

• Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream and vegan condensed milk.
• Gluten-Free: Opt for gluten-free cookie crumbs.
• Flavor Twists: Try raspberry swirl or add lemon zest for a zingy topping.
• Mini Bites: Freeze in silicone mini-muffin trays for bite-sized treats.

Tips for Success

• Storage: Store in an airtight container or wrap bars individually; freeze up to 2 weeks.
• Texture: Don’t overmix the swirl to keep distinct strawberry streaks.
• Serving Ideas: Perfect for summer picnics, kids’ parties, or nostalgic date nights.

FAQs About Strawberry shortcake ice cream

Bring People Together with Recipeslime

This strawberry shortcake ice cream recipe is more than a dessert, it’s a memory-maker. I hope it brings joy to your table as it does to mine. Try it, share your creations with us, and explore more recipes on recipeslime.com to keep the culinary adventure going!