The best thing for dessert in the summer is creamy ice cream like this no-churn ice cream that turns it into Red, White, & Blue Ice Cream sundae.

Red, white & blue ice cream sundaes with M&M's.
Ice cream for a summer dessert

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Homemade ice cream was always a treat for our 4th of July celebration, and this recipe is part of 15 Favorite 4th of July Desserts. Make sure to check it out for some more fabulous red, white, and blue desserts.

I own a cute little electric ice cream machine, which makes some tasty homemade ice cream, but sometimes I like simple. And not everyone has space for an ice cream maker that you only pull out once or twice a year (if you’re like me).  Let’s hear a heck yeah! for no-churn ice cream.

Enter the easiest ice cream that’s made the no-churn way.

A mason jar of red, white and blue M & Ms.

Adding mix-ins to ice cream adds some extra flavors and textures to make your signature flavor.  It’s now getting personal.   To celebrate the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or any day, let’s get all Red, White, and Blue with everyone’s favorite chocolate candy, M&M’s.

M&M’s make a perfect candy to add to a dessert.  I chop them up and add them to the ice cream in layers.  Once the candies get mixed in, they get hard and a bit crunchy, which I love. Plus, you get all the colors of the candy.

Why You Will Love This No-Churn Ice Cream

 Let me entice you

  • Three simple ingredients (whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla)
  • No cooking custard, and hoping it sets up
  • No ice cream maker needed
  • You can add all kinds of fun flavors and mix-ins
  • It takes 10 minutes to mix up the ice cream and pour it into a freezer container – so quick
  • It’s simply delicious

Ice Cream Ingredients

  • Whipping Cream
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • Vanilla Extract
  • M&M’s
  • Chocolate Fudge – or use chocolate syrup
  • Maraschino Cherries

We don’t have time for a complicated dessert. We have fireworks to watch.

How To Make M&M Ice Cream: Step By Step

Have I convinced you yet to make some tasty ice cream?  Great!  Let’s go.

    Step 1. Chop the M&M’s by placing them on a heavy-duty cutting board and chop with a long-bladed knife.

    Chopped red, white and blue M & M's.

      Step 2. Whip heavy cream by pouring the cold cream into a bowl of a stand mixer, or a mixing large bowl and use a handheld mixer. Beat the cream at medium speed until it reaches firm peaks.

      Step 3. Fold the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla into the whipped cream, and keep folding until completely combined, do it slowly so you don’t deflate the whipped cream.

        Step 4. Using a loaf pan or any small baking dish, layer half the ice cream mixture and then half the chopped M&M’s, and repeat with the remaining ingredients.

        Since this will be kept in the freezer, I suggest you use a metal loaf pan or a plastic container. Yes, I used my glass bread pan because I wanted everyone to see the pretty ice cream. My hubby yelled at me for it too!!!

            Step 5. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and set the pan in the freezer and freeze for at least 6 hours. If using a glass dish, ensure it is placed where it will be safe in the freezer.

            Step 6. When you are ready to serve the ice cream, whip the additional whipped cream by pouring the cold cream into a large bowl and beating it until firm peaks form. Keep this cold until ready to use.

            You will notice that the colors bleed from the chocolate candies, so don’t be alarmed.

            Step 7. Fill the sundae bowls with chocolate fudge and two big scoops of ice cream, then add more fudge, whipped cream, M&M’s, and a big red cherry on top. An alternative to dessert cups is filling mason jars with ice cream.

            Dessert glasses filled with vanilla ice cream and M&M's

            Equipment

            To make the sundaes, use a good ice cream scoop to make nice round balls of ice cream and put them into your sundae cups, then add your favorite toppings.

            More Mix In Ideas

            This list can be endless

            • If you like, add other mix-ins to this ice cream to snazzy it up even more.
            • Chopped Nuts
            • Coconut
            • Mini chocolate chips
            • Cacao nibs
            • Small pieces of fruit
            • Mini marshmallows
            • Of course, any color of M&M’s will work for this recipe; that way, you can make these sundaes for any occasion.

            FAQ’s

            How can I change this recipe?

            You can use any color of M&M’s to make these sundaes for any occasion.

            What other mix-ins can you use?

            Whatever you use, make sure it is in small pieces. Try mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, cacao nibs, or toasted coconut. Try drizzling in chocolate fudge or a fruit puree.

            What if I don’t have sundae cups?

            Sometimes I dress up the top of the ice cream pan just like a sundae with lots of whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate, more chopped M&M’s, and lots of red cherries. Scoop the ice cream right out of the pan.

            Do I need to make the no-churn ice cream to make these sundaes?

            You can use store-bought ice cream and let it soften just a little, add the chopped M and M’s to it and layer in the pan.

            Storing Leftovers

            If you have leftover ice cream, cover the pan with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and keep it in the freezer for a month. You can also transfer any leftovers to a smaller container for easier storage.

            More Red, White And Blue Desserts

            These Patriotic Cookies have a sweet surprise filling and are covered in colorful red, white, and blue sprinkles. Or these Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars with colorful sprinkles on top.

            Make a batch of these classic Red, White, and Blue Thumbprint Cookies with the prettiest patriotic sprinkles and colorful icing for your holiday celebrations.

            Red, White and Blue Jello Cups are kid friendly and easy to make and they are a perfect dessert for a celebration.

            More Cold And Creamy Desserts

            This recipe couldn’t be any easier, and the sundaes are just the perfect treat. Grab your American Flag and watch some colorful fireworks.

            Three chocolate fudge sundae in glasses.

            More To Make And Eat

            Rolling pin graphic with flowers.
            Red, white and blue sundaes.

            Red, White & Blue M&M Ice Cream Sundaes

            Jere’ Cassidy
            Looking for a cool and creamy dessert? Try this simple recipe for No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream with M&M's for a quick way to make everyone's favorite dessert for your patriotic celebrations.
            5 from 112 votes
            Prep Time 15 minutes
            Freezing time 6 hours
            Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
            Course Dessert
            Cuisine American
            Servings 6
            Calories 806 kcal

            Ingredients
              

            Making the ice cream

            Ice Cream Toppings

            Instructions
             

            Making the Ice Cream

            • On a sturdy cutting board chop the M&M's into smaller pieces using a long bladed knife. It's easier to do this in small batches.
            • In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, add the cold whipping cream and beat it on medium to medium hight speed until it forms stiff peaks.
            • Fold the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla into the whipped cream to combine. It's best to use a rubber spatula and slowly rotate the bowl while folding until all the ingredients are combined.
            • Pour 1/2 of the ice cream mixture into a loaf pans. Sprinkle with half of the chopped M&M's. Repeat again. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 6 hours, or overnight.

            Making the Red, White & Blue Ice Cream Sundaes

            • In a medium-sized mixing bowl whip the cold whipping cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. You can also use your stand mixer.
            • Add a small amount of fudge to the bottom of each bowl. 1 – 2 tablespoons is good.
            • Scoop two large balls of ice cream and add to each bowl.
            • Top the ice cream with fudge, whipped cream, M&M's and a cherry.

            Notes

            If you like, add other mix-ins to this ice cream to snazzy it up even more.
            • Chopped Nuts
            • Coconut
            • Mini chocolate chips
            • Cacao nibs
            • Small pieces of fruit
            • Mini marshmallows
            Of course, any color of M&M’s will work for this recipe; that way, you can make these sundaes for any occasion.
            The candy coating from the M&M’s will melt in the ice cream as you mix it in. This is normal.
            All images and text © Jere’ Cassidy / One Hot Oven

            As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

            Nutrition

            Serving: 6ozCalories: 806kcalCarbohydrates: 90gProtein: 11gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 28gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 467mgFiber: 2gSugar: 74gVitamin A: 1407IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 298mgIron: 1mg
            Did You Try My Recipe?Follow me on Facebook @onehotoven and tag #onehotoven to show me your dish!

            Published: June 7, 2019. Last updated June 8, 2023

            I am wishing everyone a fun and happy summer filled with family, friends, good and celebrations.

              

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            About Jere’ Cassidy

            A photo of Jere in her kitchen.

            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. I am glad to be sharing sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.

            About Jere’ →

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            50 Comments

            1. 5 stars
              This recipe is perfect for the holiday and is easy to make. The entire family will enjoy this treat!

            2. 5 stars
              The whole family loved this Sundae ice cream! It was easy to prepare and amazing that no ice cream machine is needed!

            3. 5 stars
              We loved this ice cream recipe! I made it for Canada Day here in the Great White North, and I served it with red and white candies, everyone loved it! It was so easy, and tasted delicious! So much better than store-bought ice cream. Thanks for the recipe!

            4. 5 stars
              Such a delicious ice cream! And I love the variations you mentioned. Especially the one with the mini marshmallows! Thanks for sharing!

            5 from 112 votes (80 ratings without comment)

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