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.
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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.
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.
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.
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
You can use any color of M&M's to make these sundaes for any occasion.
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.
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.
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
- Easy Fried Ice Cream Balls with Banana and Almonds and a delicious sweet honey drizzle.
- This fruity Homemade Blackberry and Peach Ice Cream screams summertime dessert.
- This creamy dessert is always a favorite, and this Strawberry Raspberry Cheesecake Mousse is layered with graham cracker crumbs and topped with fresh berries.
- Chocolate-Covered Oreo Ice Cream Bites are perfect for everyday snacking, or make a batch for your next party.
This recipe couldn't be any easier, and the sundaes are just the perfect treat. Grab your American Flag and watch some colorful fireworks.
More To Make And Eat
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Recipe
Red, White & Blue M&M Ice Cream Sundaes
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Ingredients
Making the ice cream
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk cold
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream cold
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 6 ounces Red, white and blue M&Ms chopped
Ice Cream Toppings
- cup heavy whipping cream cold
- 1 cup chocolate sauce
- Red, white and blue M&M's for garnish
- Maraschino Cherries for garnish
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 ½ 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
- Chopped Nuts
- Coconut
- Mini chocolate chips
- Cacao nibs
- Small pieces of fruit
- Mini marshmallows
Nutrition
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.
Thank you for stopping by the One Hot Oven blog. Please leave a comment to say hello or tell me what you are baking; I always love hearing from fellow bakers. Do you have any questions or want to chat about the recipe? Please visit my About page for information, and I’ll be happy to help!
Hello there, I'm 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 sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.
Amanda
Oh, yum! These are so cute for the 4th of July. We always host a 4th of July party, so I'm definitely putting this on the menu -- super easy and delicious!
Jenni LeBaron
I love that you've given two different ways to enjoy this dessert - the no-churn ice cream mix and the sundae route too! I think these are both fun and easy desserts that everyone will enjoy!
Jere Cassidy
Thanks, I just try to have easy desserts for the 4th. Too much other stuff going on to be spending time in the kithcen,
Ramona
Oh la la! My kids were dancing seeing this. My daughter really wants to give this a go this coming weekend. Thanks for sharing. Simple and delicious.
Jere Cassidy
Ha, so funny. This is the great thing with the ice cream, kids can make it and it's fun.
Diana
Sundaes are my fav and these look so perfect to celebrate the 4th of July! Yum!
Jere Cassidy
The red, white and blue M&M's are just so perfect in this ice cream.
David
"The best summer dessert is ice cream". You speak the truth here! Especially around the 4th with these patriotic toppings.
Jayashree T.Rao
This has been my easy to go ice cream these days, it's so tasty and handy. Love the addition of M and M's here, children will surely love it.
Jere Cassidy
It's definitely kid-friendly.
Dannii
Anything with M&Ms is good with me. I bet kids would love these.
Jere Cassidy
Right! You can't go wrong with M&M's.
Adrianne
Oh wow! This recipe looks fun and creative at the same time. I love home made desserts and this one looks like a winner in my book. Thanks for sharing!
Sophia
Great idea, so perfect for 4th of July! You can't go wrong with M&Ms on an ice cream Sunday. So delicious!
Jere Cassidy
So true.
Jacqueline Debono
I have to confess I have never made ice-cream! Terrible right? I've made sorbet though! However, this no churn ice-cream looks delicious and sounds so easy. I really want to make ice-cream now!
Jere Cassidy
Sorbet is just as good.
Kelly Anthony
I also appreciate a slow churn ice cream but there are days that don't allow this to happen so this is the perfect recipe when time does not permit. I love how festive this ice cream is!
Jere Cassidy
Slow churn, no churn, as long as I have ice cream I'm happy
Tisha
Great delicious treat for the 4th of July celebration!
Jere Cassidy
It just screams fireworks.
Milica Vladova
Mmmmm, this is a perfect patriotic dessert to celebrate the Independence day! And it is not that loaded with sugar and carbs! Yummmm!
Shashi at SavorySpin
I remember making ice cream the old fashion way with the crank ice cream maker, ice and salt - thaat ice cream was the best - but, these days I do prefer no churn ice creams and yours has me drooling! Can't wit to try!
Jere Cassidy
Soon no one will know the old fashion way to make ice cream, I miss it, but I will never own a crank ice cream maker again. No churn is just so easy.
Farah
My daughter would be so happy if I made these for her! Perfect weekend treat.
Jere Cassidy
My daughter helped me make this then proceded to eat most of it.