Soft ice cream is a beloved dessert that delights with its smooth texture and creamy consistency.
Thanks to modern soft ice cream makers, it’s easier than ever to create this frozen treat right at home.
Whether you prefer classic vanilla, rich chocolate, fruity flavors, or unique twists like matcha or chai spice, soft ice cream makers offer endless possibilities to customize your desserts.
In this article, we’ll explore over 22 soft ice cream maker recipes that are perfect for any occasion—simple to make and sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
22+ Irresistible Soft Ice Cream Maker Recipes to Try at Home
These 22+ soft ice cream maker recipes showcase the incredible versatility of soft serve, from traditional favorites like vanilla and chocolate to more adventurous flavors such as black sesame and honey lavender.
Whether you’re entertaining guests or treating yourself, these recipes make it easy to enjoy restaurant-quality soft ice cream in the comfort of your home.
With so many options to try, you’ll never run out of ways to indulge in creamy, dreamy desserts.
Vanilla Soft Serve
Vanilla Soft Serve is a classic and creamy treat that’s smooth, light, and perfect for soft ice cream makers.
This recipe captures the timeless vanilla flavor with a rich, velvety texture that melts in your mouth.
It’s an ideal base for toppings or enjoyed on its own.
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
Instructions:
Combine heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Pour the mixture into your soft ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a creamy, soft-serve consistency. Serve immediately or freeze briefly for a firmer texture.
This vanilla soft serve is perfect for those seeking a simple, refreshing dessert.
Its creamy texture and pure vanilla flavor make it versatile enough to pair with fresh fruits, syrups, or even baked treats.
Chocolate Soft Serve
Chocolate Soft Serve offers a rich and indulgent twist on traditional soft ice cream.
It’s smooth, creamy, and packed with deep chocolate flavor, making it a favorite for chocoholics and soft serve lovers alike.
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Vanilla extract
Instructions:
In a bowl, whisk together heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract until the sugar and cocoa powder are fully incorporated. Pour the mixture into your soft ice cream maker and churn until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately for the best soft-serve texture.
This chocolate soft serve balances rich cocoa flavor with a light, airy texture.
It’s perfect on its own or paired with toppings like crushed nuts, sprinkles, or fudge sauce for an extra special treat.
Strawberry Soft Serve
Strawberry Soft Serve is a refreshing and fruity option that combines fresh strawberries with creamy soft serve ice cream.
This recipe bursts with natural strawberry flavor and offers a delightful pink hue, making it perfect for summer days or any time you want a fruity dessert.
Ingredients:
- Fresh strawberries
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Lemon juice
Instructions:
Puree fresh strawberries with sugar and lemon juice until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine heavy cream and whole milk. Mix the strawberry puree into the cream mixture. Pour the blend into your soft ice cream maker and churn until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately or freeze briefly to thicken.
This strawberry soft serve provides a natural sweetness and creamy texture that highlights the fresh fruit flavor.
It’s a light, refreshing dessert that’s perfect for those who love fruity ice creams with a silky finish.
Mango Soft Serve
Mango Soft Serve is a tropical delight that brings the sweet, juicy flavor of ripe mangoes into a creamy, smooth soft ice cream.
This refreshing recipe is perfect for warm days and offers a vibrant color along with a luscious texture.
Ingredients:
- Ripe mangoes, peeled and chopped
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Lemon juice
Instructions:
Puree the mango pieces with sugar and lemon juice until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine heavy cream and whole milk, then mix in the mango puree. Pour the mixture into your soft ice cream maker and churn until creamy and smooth. Serve immediately or freeze briefly for a firmer consistency.
This mango soft serve is wonderfully fruity and creamy, making it a perfect way to enjoy tropical flavors in a light and refreshing dessert that’s great for any occasion.
Coffee Soft Serve
Coffee Soft Serve delivers a rich, bold coffee flavor in a silky smooth soft ice cream.
It’s a perfect treat for coffee lovers who want a cool and creamy way to enjoy their favorite brew.
Ingredients:
- Strong brewed coffee, cooled
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
Instructions:
Mix cooled brewed coffee with heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until sugar is dissolved. Pour the mixture into your soft ice cream maker and churn according to your machine’s instructions until soft and creamy. Serve immediately.
This coffee soft serve balances the deep, robust flavors of coffee with a light and creamy texture, making it an ideal dessert or afternoon pick-me-up for any coffee enthusiast.
Matcha Soft Serve
Matcha Soft Serve is a unique and elegant dessert that combines the earthy, slightly bitter notes of matcha green tea with the creamy softness of soft serve ice cream.
It offers a delicate flavor and a beautiful green color.
Ingredients:
- Matcha powder
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions:
Whisk matcha powder with a small amount of hot water to dissolve. In a bowl, combine heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract if using. Stir in the dissolved matcha until well mixed. Pour into your soft ice cream maker and churn until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately for best texture.
This matcha soft serve delivers a sophisticated flavor profile with creamy texture, perfect for those seeking a refreshing, less sweet alternative with a hint of traditional Japanese tea.
Salted Caramel Soft Serve
Salted Caramel Soft Serve is a luscious dessert that combines the rich, buttery flavor of caramel with a hint of sea salt, creating a perfect balance of sweet and salty in a creamy soft serve form.
It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s both indulgent and refreshing.
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Caramel sauce
- Sea salt
Instructions:
Mix heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and caramel sauce until well combined. Add a pinch of sea salt and stir. Pour the mixture into your soft ice cream maker and churn until creamy and smooth. Serve immediately with an extra drizzle of caramel if desired.
This salted caramel soft serve offers a decadent flavor profile with a creamy texture, ideal for those who love the classic sweet-salty combination in a refreshing dessert.
Lemon Soft Serve
Lemon Soft Serve is a bright and tangy treat that blends fresh lemon juice and zest with creamy soft serve ice cream, delivering a refreshing dessert with a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
It’s especially great for warm weather or as a palate cleanser.
Ingredients:
- Fresh lemon juice and zest
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
Instructions:
Combine heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, lemon juice, and zest in a bowl. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Pour the mixture into your soft ice cream maker and churn according to the instructions until creamy. Serve immediately or freeze briefly for a firmer texture.
This lemon soft serve is light, refreshing, and bursting with citrus flavor, making it a perfect dessert for those who enjoy tangy, invigorating treats.
Cookies and Cream Soft Serve
Cookies and Cream Soft Serve is a classic favorite that features creamy vanilla soft serve loaded with chunks of chocolate sandwich cookies.
This recipe delivers a perfect combination of smooth texture and crunchy cookie bits.
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies
Instructions:
Mix heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar dissolves. Pour the base into your soft ice cream maker and churn until it thickens. Add crushed cookies during the last few minutes of churning for even distribution. Serve immediately.
This cookies and cream soft serve offers a nostalgic flavor with a creamy texture and delightful cookie crunch, perfect for anyone who loves a classic twist on soft serve ice cream.
Coconut Soft Serve
Coconut Soft Serve is a creamy, tropical-flavored treat that combines the rich taste of coconut with the smooth texture of soft serve ice cream.
This recipe is perfect for those who want a refreshing dessert with a subtle, natural sweetness and a hint of island flair.
Ingredients:
- Coconut milk (full fat)
- Heavy cream
- Sugar
- Shredded coconut (optional)
Instructions:
Mix coconut milk, heavy cream, and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Pour the mixture into your soft ice cream maker and churn until creamy. For extra texture, fold in shredded coconut during the last minutes of churning. Serve immediately.
This coconut soft serve offers a luscious tropical flavor and silky smooth texture, making it an ideal dessert for warm days or anyone craving a taste of the tropics.
Peanut Butter Soft Serve
Peanut Butter Soft Serve is a rich and creamy dessert that perfectly balances the nutty flavor of peanut butter with the smoothness of soft serve ice cream.
It’s a satisfying treat for peanut butter lovers and a great base for toppings like chocolate chips or caramel.
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Creamy peanut butter
- Vanilla extract
Instructions:
Warm the milk slightly and whisk in peanut butter until smooth. Combine with heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Pour into your soft ice cream maker and churn until thick and creamy. Serve immediately or freeze briefly for a firmer texture.
This peanut butter soft serve offers a delightful blend of creamy texture and nutty richness, making it a perfect indulgence for any time of the year.
Blueberry Soft Serve
Blueberry Soft Serve is a vibrant and fruity dessert that combines fresh or frozen blueberries with creamy soft serve base for a refreshing and colorful treat.
It’s packed with natural sweetness and antioxidants, making it both delicious and somewhat nutritious.
Ingredients:
- Fresh or frozen blueberries
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Lemon juice
Instructions:
Puree blueberries with sugar and a splash of lemon juice until smooth. Mix with heavy cream and whole milk. Pour into your soft ice cream maker and churn until creamy. Serve immediately or freeze briefly to thicken.
This blueberry soft serve offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors with a creamy texture, ideal for those who enjoy fruity and refreshing ice cream treats.
Mint Soft Serve
Mint Soft Serve is a cool and refreshing dessert that blends fresh mint flavor with creamy soft serve ice cream.
This recipe delivers a bright, invigorating taste that’s perfect for warm weather or as a palate cleanser after meals.
Ingredients:
- Fresh mint leaves or mint extract
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Green food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Infuse chopped fresh mint leaves in warm milk and sugar mixture, then strain, or simply add mint extract to the cream and milk mixture. Add green food coloring if desired. Pour into your soft ice cream maker and churn until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately.
This mint soft serve offers a delicate, natural mint flavor with a velvety texture that refreshes the palate, making it a perfect summer treat or festive dessert.
Honey Lavender Soft Serve
Honey Lavender Soft Serve is a unique and elegant ice cream recipe that combines the floral notes of lavender with the natural sweetness of honey in a creamy soft serve base.
It’s an exquisite treat that’s both soothing and flavorful.
Ingredients:
- Dried culinary lavender
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Honey
- Sugar
Instructions:
Infuse dried lavender in warm milk and sugar mixture, then strain to remove lavender buds. Stir in heavy cream and honey until well combined. Pour into your soft ice cream maker and churn until creamy and smooth. Serve immediately.
This honey lavender soft serve delivers a sophisticated balance of floral and sweet flavors with a smooth, creamy texture, perfect for special occasions or relaxing indulgence.
Chocolate Chip Soft Serve
Chocolate Chip Soft Serve is a delicious twist on classic soft serve, featuring creamy vanilla ice cream loaded with crunchy chocolate chips.
It’s a simple yet irresistible dessert loved by all ages.
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Mini chocolate chips
Instructions:
Combine heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract, mixing until sugar dissolves. Pour into your soft ice cream maker and churn until thick and creamy. Add mini chocolate chips near the end of churning to evenly distribute. Serve immediately.
This chocolate chip soft serve balances creamy vanilla with bursts of chocolate crunch, creating a comforting and fun dessert perfect for any time.
Salted Caramel Pretzel Soft Serve
Salted Caramel Pretzel Soft Serve combines creamy, sweet salted caramel ice cream with crunchy, salty pretzel pieces for an irresistible mix of textures and flavors.
This recipe is perfect for those who love a sweet and salty dessert experience.
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Caramel sauce
- Sea salt
- Crushed pretzels
Instructions:
Mix heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, caramel sauce, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth. Pour into your soft ice cream maker and churn until creamy. Stir in crushed pretzels during the last few minutes of churning. Serve immediately.
This soft serve offers a delightful contrast of creamy caramel and crunchy pretzels with a salty kick, making it a fun and indulgent treat.
Pineapple Coconut Soft Serve
Pineapple Coconut Soft Serve is a tropical-inspired dessert combining juicy pineapple flavor with creamy coconut for a refreshing and exotic taste.
It’s perfect for summer or when you want to bring a bit of sunshine to your dessert.
Ingredients:
- Fresh or canned pineapple chunks
- Coconut milk (full fat)
- Heavy cream
- Sugar
Instructions:
Puree pineapple chunks with sugar until smooth. Mix with coconut milk and heavy cream. Pour into your soft ice cream maker and churn until creamy and smooth. Serve immediately or freeze briefly for a firmer texture.
This tropical soft serve delivers bright, sweet pineapple with rich coconut creaminess, creating a refreshing and satisfying dessert.
Honeycomb Soft Serve
Honeycomb Soft Serve is a sweet and crunchy treat featuring creamy soft serve ice cream with bits of honeycomb candy folded in.
It’s perfect for those who enjoy a little texture and caramelized sweetness in their ice cream.
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Crushed honeycomb candy
Instructions:
Combine heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until sugar dissolves. Pour into your soft ice cream maker and churn until thick and creamy. Fold in crushed honeycomb candy just before finishing. Serve immediately.
This soft serve combines smooth creaminess with delightful honeycomb crunch, making it a perfect dessert for candy lovers.
Raspberry Swirl Soft Serve
Raspberry Swirl Soft Serve combines creamy vanilla soft serve with vibrant raspberry puree swirled throughout, creating a beautiful and flavorful dessert.
The tartness of the raspberries perfectly complements the smooth creaminess of the ice cream.
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Fresh or frozen raspberries
- Lemon juice
Instructions:
Puree raspberries with sugar and a splash of lemon juice until smooth. In a separate bowl, mix heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar dissolves. Pour the base into your soft ice cream maker and churn until creamy. Gently swirl in the raspberry puree before serving.
This raspberry swirl soft serve offers a refreshing balance of sweet and tart flavors with a silky texture, perfect for a light and fruity dessert.
Chai Spice Soft Serve
Chai Spice Soft Serve brings warm, aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger into a creamy soft serve ice cream base.
It’s a comforting and unique treat that’s perfect for those who love spiced flavors.
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cardamom
- Ground ginger
- Vanilla extract
Instructions:
Whisk together heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Add ground cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, mixing thoroughly. Pour into your soft ice cream maker and churn until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately.
This chai spice soft serve delivers a cozy blend of spices balanced by creamy sweetness, ideal for cool evenings or festive occasions.
Black Sesame Soft Serve
Black Sesame Soft Serve is a unique and nutty-flavored ice cream with a smooth, creamy texture.
The earthy notes of toasted black sesame seeds create an exotic and satisfying dessert that’s both rich and refreshing.
Ingredients:
- Black sesame paste or toasted black sesame seeds ground into a paste
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
Instructions:
Combine heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until sugar dissolves. Stir in black sesame paste until fully incorporated. Pour into your soft ice cream maker and churn until creamy. Serve immediately.
This black sesame soft serve offers a distinctive flavor and luxurious texture, making it a sophisticated choice for adventurous ice cream lovers.
Conclusion
Exploring these 22+ soft ice cream maker recipes highlights just how creative and delicious homemade soft serve can be. From fruity delights to decadent chocolate and nutty favorites, the variety ensures there’s a recipe to suit every palate. Making soft ice cream at home not only saves money but also lets you experiment with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Dive into these recipes and discover your new favorite soft serve flavors today.
