Indulge in the warmth of fall with our Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream. Creamy, spiced perfection in every scoop. Taste autumn in every creamy bite
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I just had to make this Pumpkin Spice Latte ice cream. What better way to celebrate the pumpkin season than with something cool, creamy and spicy? I can't tell you how often I've been to the coffee shop for my morning indulgence, a hot pumpkin spice latte, so this is simply the opposite, without the drive-through window.
Making your own ice cream is easy; just mix whole milk, cream, sugar, and flavorings, and then mix in your ice cream machine.
Reasons To Love This Recipe
- Seasonally Delicious: This ice cream hits the spot for the autumn desire for all things pumpkin-spiced, creating a perfect fusion of seasonality and freshness.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with whole milk, cream, sugar, and your favorite spices, this recipe is straightforward and doesn't require any obscure ingredients.
- Versatile Flavoring: The recipe allows for customization of spices, letting you tweak it to your taste preferences. You can opt for candied ginger, freshly grated ginger, or powdered ginger.
- Homemade Luxury: Who needs a drive-through when you can enjoy this indulgent, creamy, and spicy ice cream from the comfort of your own home? It's a luxury experience tailored by you, for you.
What is Pumpkin Spiced Ice Cream?
Pumpkin Spiced Ice Cream is a delightful autumnal treat showcasing pumpkin spice's warmth and sweetness. It's a homemade ice cream filled with the classic flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove, combined with a creamy base and the rich taste of pumpkin. These flavors harmonize to create an ice cream that is both indulgent and reminiscent of the cozy fall season.
The addition of real pumpkin puree gives it a velvety texture and authentic pumpkin flavor, differentiating it from regular ice cream. It's like having a piece of pumpkin pie, but in a cool, creamy, and refreshing form. Perfect for those who love the flavor of fall but want something a little different from the traditional fare.
Pumpkin Spiced Ice Cream Ingredients
- Whole milk - this is best to get a creamy flavor to the ice cream.
- Heavy cream - again, stick with heavy cream for the texture.
- Brown sugar - any brown sugar works fine.
- Pumpkin purée - you can use canned pumpkin or puree from fresh.
- Chopped candied ginger - also known as crystallized ginger or use powdered ginger if the grocery store doesn't have the candied ginger.
- Cinnamon - ground cinnamon is best.
- Nutmeg - also use ground nutmeg.
- Ground cloves - opt for ground cloves rather than whole ones.
- Instant espresso powder - use your favorite espresso powder just like in pumpkin spice lattes.
- Vanilla extract - I do splurge on high-quality vanilla extract. You can use other types of vanilla, and you can read about them in this guide.
How To Make Pumpkin Spiced Ice Cream
Step 1: In a small saucepan, heat the milk until warm then add in the brown sugar over low heat. Stir to dissolve.
Step 2: In a large bowl, add the warm milk mixture and all the other ingredients. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Chill the ice cream mixture before freezing.
Step 4: Pour the ice cream mixture into the frozen bowl of an ice cream machine and freeze according to direction.
Tip ~ Depending on your ice cream maker, you may need to freeze the bowl first, or others need ice and rock salt.
Step 5: Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container when frozen.
Doesn't this ice cream look amazingly delicious? It's cool, creamy and full of our favorite autumn flavors.
Ice Cream Tips
- Ensure all your ingredients are cold before starting the process. This is the best way to help your ice cream set faster when put in the ice cream maker.
- You can still make this recipe if you don't have an ice cream maker. After step 3, put the mixture in a shallow dish and place it in the freezer. Every 30 minutes for the first few hours, stir the mixture to avoid ice crystals from forming.
- You can roast the pumpkin before pureeing it for a more intense flavor. This will give the ice cream a deeper, more caramelized pumpkin flavor.
- Feel free to adjust the spices to your preference. If you like more ginger or nutmeg, add a bit more. It's your ice cream, so make it how you love it!
- Remember that the flavors will be slightly muted once the mixture is frozen, so don't hesitate to overseason the ice cream base slightly.
Ice Cream Variations
- Dairy-free Ice Cream: You can substitute whole milk and heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version of this homemade pumpkin ice cream recipe. Adjust the sugar, as coconut milk is naturally sweet.
- Vegan Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream: Replace the whole milk and heavy cream with your favorite plant-based milk, such as almond milk or oat milk. Use a vegan sugar substitute instead of brown sugar. Ensure all other ingredients are vegan-friendly, too.
- Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream with a Twist: Add a shot of bourbon or another liqueur of your choice to the mix before freezing for a grown-up twist. Or, for a kid-friendly option, add some maple syrup.
- Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream with Mix-ins: After the ice cream is nearly finished churning, you can add mix-ins like crushed gingersnap cookies, chocolate chunks, or chopped pecans. This will add a delightful crunch and extra flavor.
- Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream with Swirl: Make a quick caramel or fudge sauce and layer it with the ice cream in the container before the final freeze. You'll end up with a beautiful swirl in your ice cream.
Pumpkin Ice Cream FAQ's
You can rely on a convenient pre-made pumpkin pie filling mix if you don't have the individual spices. Use 2-3 teaspoons of the mix and adjust according to your personal taste preferences. This blend typically includes a harmonious combination of warm and aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, all of which contribute to the delightful flavors of a classic pumpkin pie.
Yes. You can replace the brown sugar with a sugar substitute suitable for baking. Be sure to adjust the quantity according to the sweetness of the substitute.
If your ice cream has turned icy, it might be because of large ice crystals forming during freezing. To prevent this from happening next time, make sure to churn the ice cream well and keep it in an airtight container.
What can I serve with this Pumpkin Spiced Ice Cream?
This ice cream pairs well with a variety of fall desserts. Try serving it with a slice of a slice of Pumpkin Cake, make an ice cream sandwich with Ginger Cookies, or with Pecan Tarts. It's also delicious on its own!
More Fall Recipe Ideas
I love these Pumpkin Pie Dessert Bars to serve for Thankgiving and fall potlucks.
Make a batch of these Easy Pumpkin Bars and top them with a scoop of this ice cream of the ultimate fall-flavored dessert or this Pumpkin Pecan Crisp topped with lots of crunchy pecans.
To serve the ice cream after frozen, allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes until it's soft enough to scoop.
More Fall Recipes
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Recipe
Pumpkin Spiced Latte Ice Cream
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon candied ginger ½ teaspoon powdered ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- In a small saucepan heat the milk until warm then add in the brown sugar. Stir to dissolve.
- If you are using the candied ginger, make sure to chop it into small pieces.
- In a large bowl add the warm milk mixture and all the other ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Chill the ice cream mixture for 30 minutes before freezing.
- Pour the ice cream mixture into the frozen bowl of an ice cream machine and freeze according to directions.
- Transfer the ice cream to an airtight freezer container.
Notes
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Nutrition
First published: Nov. 19, 2016, Last updated: Oct. 6, 2023, for better readability.
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About Jere'
From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending. Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing both sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.
Ruth
I am not a huge fan of pumpkin flavored desserts BUT I love ice cream. And, I just got a new ice cream maker and my daughter begged me to make pumpkin ice cream. I found this recipe and gave it a whirl, and both of us thought it was so delicious we couldn't stop eating it. Who knew that pumpkin spice ice cream could be so good??? We are making it again this weekend. 🙂