The 19 Best Over-The-Top Ice Cream Recipes To Make At Home

The 19 Best Over-the-Top Ice Cream Recipes to Make at Home

When it comes to ice cream, we hardly ever say no. We all know the classics — vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, and even mint chip — but there are occasions that call for something a little different than the usual ice cream parlor options. By now, I hope you have already started dusting off your ice cream-maker, because these over-the-top flavors are better than anything you can buy at the store.

Invoke the spirit of the King himself with our Elvis-inspired Peanut Butter Ice Cream made with crunchy pieces of peanut brittle in a smooth, banana custard base. If you are looking for something more refreshing, Lemon Verbena ice cream is perfect for pairing with a dry moscato wine for sweet summer toasts.

Even if you don't have your own ice cream-maker at home, you can still get in on this frozen fun by checking out our 9 Ways to Make Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker story. Then, create your own delicious ice cream flavors using your favorite trusted ice cream base (or our favorite ice cream base recipe) and whatever extracts, mix-ins, and purées you desire.

For some cool, creamy inspiration, check out are 19 favorite over-the-top ice cream recipes to make at home this summer.

Blueberry Pie Ice Cream

Blueberry pie in a custard ice cream base make this a delicious hybrid pie-cream dessert the perfect cooling treat for summer.

For the Blueberry Pie Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Caramel Pear Ice Cream

This "ice cream" is really more of a frozen yogurt made with plain yogurt, fresh pears, and apple juice for sweetener.

For the Caramel Pear Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Cherrios Berry Swirl Ice Cream

We've heard about breakfast for dinner, but what about breakfast for dessert? This ice cream recipe was inspired by a favorite cereal combination of Cheerios and strawberries. The combination of both tart and sweet is the perfect way to end a meal... or start the day. — Janina O'Leary

For the Cherrios Berry Swirl Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Chocolate Cheez-It Ice Cream

For those who believe that chocolate tastes good with anything, this recipe may just prove that theory. Rich and intense dark chocolate is paired with the sharpness of these Cheddar crackers to create a unique sweet and savory combination. Folded into milk chocolate ice cream, the chocolate-covered Cheez-Its are a salty and satisfying surprise with every bite. — Mellissa Sevigny

For the Chocolate Cheez-It Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Cinnamon Roll Ice Cream

The sweet and comforting flavors of breakfast are great to play around with, especially in a summertime favorite like ice cream. In this recipe, decadent cinnamon rolls are steeped in cream and then mixed with cinnamon-flavored ice cream for the truest of flavors. — Janina O'Leary

For the Cinnamon Roll Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Cranberry Ice Cream

Substitute frozen cranberries for fresh ones when this tart berry is out of season. Enjoy on its own or on top of warn apple strudel.

For the Cranberry Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Easy Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

Enjoy the elegantly spiced flavor of pumpkin pie any time of year with this pumpkin pie ice cream recipe perfect for hot summer days.

For the Easy Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Elvis (The Fat Years) Peanut Butter Ice Cream

We recommend a half cup or so of brittle, but you can add as much as you handle. After all, your heart isn't going to attack itself. The King wouldn't have it any other way. — Jake Godby, Sean Vahey, and Paolo Lucchesi

For the Elvis (The Fat Years) Peanut Butter Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Foie Gras Ice Cream

While foie gras and ice cream might seem like an unlikely pair, this sweet pair is rich, creamy, and enhanced by the addition of dry port wine.

For the Foie Gras Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Fried Ice Cream

Yes, it's true, ice cream can be fried. This recipe shows just how easy it is to do, too. Just make sure to freeze your ice cream long enough so that it maintains its velvety texture after being deep-fried. — Taste of Home

For the Fried Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Grasshopper Pie Ice Cream

This minty, green ice cream is chock-full of chocolaty fold-ins. You might as well go all the way and top it with some hot fudge. — Ellen Brown

For the Grasshopper Pie Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Langkasuy Ice Cream

"What's so special about this ice cream?" you may ask. Well, this ice cream flavor is something that you can only find in the Philippines. I'm sure that many of you haven't heard of it! It is called langkasuy, which is short for "langka" (jackfruit) and "kasuy" (cashew).

Jackfruit is a popular tropical fruit in the Philippines, which, when fully ripe, has a delightfully sweet flavor. This ice cream captures the full flavor of this tropical fruit with the added crunchy texture and nutty flavor of cashews. I tell you, their flavors complement each other so well! — Cristina De Guzman

For the Langkasuy Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Lemon Verbena Ice Cream

Celebrate this warm weather with a toast to summer and this lightly sweet ice cream flavor that was created to be paired with a fruity moscato wine.

For the Lemon Verbena Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

Green tea has a variety of health benefits and ice cream leads to optimum happiness! Just don't get brain freeze! — Carolyn Scott-Hamilton

For the Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Mexican Baked Frozen Ice Cream

Take your favorite ice cream and spice it up with a bit of cinnamon and the unmistakable crunch of — wait, what is that? Potato chips? No way.

Yes indeed. Good old Lay's potato chips are the secret to the sweet-savory crust in this easy-to-make dessert. — Michelle Snow

For the Mexican Baked Frozen Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Ice Cream

The very smooth texture that the peanut butter brings to this ice cream is something to fall in love with... And I must say that the combination of peanut butter and strawberry jam (especially a homemade one) is truly wonderful. —Cristina De Guzman

For the Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Sweet Corn and Thyme Ice Cream

This sweet and savory ice cream from chefs Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth of Root & Bone is so delicious it will make you want to run out and buy an ice cream machine! The corn adds natural sweetness (and a beautiful golden color) while the fresh thyme leaves lend a subtle savory note. — Root and Bone

For the Sweet Corn and Thyme Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Tahini Ice Cream

Bringing together two greats, this ice cream is a play on halvah. The pistachios can be omitted or substituted with other nuts. This makes a delicious ice cream float or milkshake. — Melanie Underwood

For the Tahini Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Thai Iced Tea Ice Cream With Coconut Sticky Rice

Thai iced tea has a deep, reddish, smoky flavor that, when mixed with half-and-half and sweetened condensed milk, makes perfect ice cream. — Arthur Bovino

For the Thia Iced Tea Ice Cream With Coconut Sticky Rice recipe, click here.