22+ Irresistible Soft Serve Ice Cream Recipes to Make at Home

Soft serve ice cream has long been a beloved treat, known for its light, airy texture and creamy richness.

Whether enjoyed on a sunny day at a local fair or as a comforting dessert at home, soft serve’s unique fluffiness makes it stand out from traditional ice cream.

Luckily, you don’t need a commercial machine to create this delightful frozen dessert.

With a variety of custard bases, whipped creams, and creative mix-ins, you can make luscious soft serve ice cream right in your own kitchen.

In this collection of 22+ soft serve ice cream recipes, you’ll find classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate fudge, as well as exciting twists like mango chili, honey lavender, and maple bacon.

Get ready to whip up your favorite soft serve flavors with simple ingredients and accessible techniques!

22+ Irresistible Soft Serve Ice Cream Recipes to Make at Home

Creating soft serve ice cream at home is easier and more rewarding than you might think.

These 22+ recipes showcase the versatility of soft serve, from rich custard bases to dairy-free tropical blends.

With flavors ranging from nostalgic cookies and cream to sophisticated pistachio cardamom, there’s a recipe for every taste preference.

Whether you want to replicate your favorite classic or try something adventurous, these recipes provide all you need to enjoy soft serve ice cream anytime — no special machine required.

Dive in and start making your own creamy, fluffy frozen treats that will impress family and friends alike.

classic vanilla soft serve

This classic vanilla soft serve recipe brings the nostalgic taste of creamy, smooth soft serve ice cream right to your kitchen. It relies on a simple custard base infused with real vanilla, then gently churned or whipped to achieve the signature light, airy texture. Perfect for fans of traditional soft serve cones, this recipe delivers rich flavor with a silky mouthfeel.

• Heat whole milk, heavy cream, and sugar in a saucepan until warm but not boiling.
• Whisk egg yolks in a separate bowl, then slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the yolks while whisking.
• Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook gently over low heat, stirring constantly until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
• Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and chill the custard thoroughly.
• Whip or churn the custard until it reaches a soft, creamy consistency.
• Serve immediately for the perfect soft serve texture.

This recipe captures the essence of soft serve ice cream by balancing richness and lightness. The custard base provides depth of flavor and creaminess, while the gentle whipping creates that characteristic airy softness. It’s ideal for anyone wanting to recreate the fun and indulgence of classic soft serve at home.

chocolate fudge soft serve

Chocolate fudge soft serve is a decadent twist on the classic soft serve, combining a rich chocolate base with swirls of fudgy goodness. This recipe uses melted chocolate and cocoa powder to infuse deep chocolate flavor, then churns or whips the mixture to a smooth, velvety soft serve texture.

• Warm heavy cream, milk, and sugar until dissolved and heated through.
• Stir in melted dark chocolate and cocoa powder until fully combined.
• Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator.
• Whip or churn the chocolate mixture until light and creamy with soft serve consistency.
• Optionally, fold in small fudge pieces or chocolate chips for added texture.

This chocolate fudge soft serve stands out with its intense cocoa flavor and creamy texture. The fudge swirls add bursts of richness and chewiness, making it a perfect treat for chocolate lovers craving a luscious yet airy frozen dessert. The smooth, velvety mouthfeel rivals many commercial soft serve options.

strawberry yogurt soft serve

Strawberry yogurt soft serve offers a refreshing, tangy alternative to traditional soft serve by incorporating Greek yogurt and fresh strawberries. It’s lighter in fat but still creamy, with a fruity brightness that makes it especially enjoyable in warm weather.

• Puree fresh strawberries with a bit of sugar until smooth.
• Combine the strawberry puree with Greek yogurt, honey, and a splash of heavy cream.
• Chill the mixture thoroughly.
• Whip or gently churn the mixture until soft and creamy with a soft serve texture.
• Serve immediately for a tangy, fresh dessert.

This recipe perfectly balances the tartness of yogurt with the natural sweetness of strawberries, delivering a refreshing soft serve option. The texture is smooth and creamy, but lighter than traditional ice cream, making it a deliciously healthy twist on a classic favorite. It’s perfect for those who want indulgence with a bit more freshness.

mango coconut soft serve

Mango coconut soft serve is a tropical delight that combines the sweetness of ripe mangoes with the creamy richness of coconut milk. This dairy-free recipe offers a smooth, luscious texture perfect for those seeking a refreshing and exotic soft serve alternative.

• Blend fresh or frozen mango chunks with coconut milk, a touch of honey or maple syrup, and a squeeze of lime juice until silky smooth.
• Chill the mixture well in the refrigerator.
• Whip or churn the blend until it reaches a soft, airy soft serve consistency.
• Serve immediately, garnished with toasted coconut flakes if desired.

This recipe captures the vibrant flavors of the tropics while delivering the light, creamy texture characteristic of soft serve ice cream. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for a dairy-free, naturally sweetened frozen treat that feels indulgent yet refreshing.

coffee cream soft serve

Coffee cream soft serve is a rich and smooth frozen treat for coffee lovers. This recipe combines brewed espresso with a creamy custard base, creating a velvety soft serve with bold coffee flavor and a luxuriously creamy texture.

• Brew a strong shot of espresso and let it cool.
• Heat milk, cream, and sugar until warm.
• Whisk egg yolks, then slowly add the warm milk mixture.
• Return to heat and cook until custard thickens, then stir in the cooled espresso.
• Chill the custard completely.
• Whip or churn until it reaches the soft serve consistency and serve immediately.

The combination of rich espresso and creamy custard delivers an indulgent flavor experience, while the soft serve texture makes it light and enjoyable. This coffee soft serve is perfect for those craving a café-style dessert at home.

cookies and cream soft serve

Cookies and cream soft serve is a crowd-pleasing favorite that mixes crushed chocolate sandwich cookies into a creamy vanilla soft serve base. This recipe creates a perfectly smooth and fluffy texture with delightful cookie chunks throughout.

• Prepare a classic vanilla custard base by cooking milk, cream, sugar, and egg yolks until thickened.
• Chill the custard completely.
• Whip or churn the custard until soft and airy.
• Gently fold in crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.
• Serve immediately for a creamy, crunchy soft serve experience.

This soft serve balances smooth vanilla creaminess with the crunchy texture and chocolatey flavor of cookie pieces. It’s a nostalgic yet sophisticated take on soft serve that’s sure to satisfy cookie lovers of all ages.

pistachio soft serve

Pistachio soft serve offers a nutty, creamy twist on classic soft serve ice cream. Using ground pistachios blended into a rich custard base, this recipe delivers a delicate balance of flavor and a smooth, airy texture that melts beautifully on the tongue.

• Grind shelled pistachios finely or use pistachio paste.
• Heat milk, cream, and sugar until warm, then whisk in egg yolks.
• Cook gently until the custard thickens, then stir in the pistachios.
• Chill the mixture thoroughly.
• Whip or churn the custard until it reaches the soft serve consistency.
• Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh, nutty flavor with a luscious texture.

This pistachio soft serve recipe stands out for its subtle, buttery nut flavor paired with the lightness of soft serve. It’s a sophisticated dessert that appeals to nut lovers and anyone wanting a creamy, elegant frozen treat.

caramel swirl soft serve

Caramel swirl soft serve is a decadent treat featuring a creamy vanilla base with rich ribbons of homemade caramel sauce. The swirled caramel adds bursts of buttery sweetness throughout the airy soft serve texture, making it an indulgent delight.

• Prepare a vanilla custard base by cooking milk, cream, sugar, and egg yolks until thickened.
• Chill the custard completely.
• Whip or churn the custard until soft and creamy.
• Gently fold in swirls of caramel sauce without mixing completely.
• Serve immediately for a perfect balance of creamy and caramel sweetness.

The combination of smooth vanilla and luscious caramel ribbons creates a luxurious soft serve that feels indulgent but light. This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves the timeless flavor pairing of caramel and cream.

matcha green tea soft serve

Matcha green tea soft serve brings the earthy, slightly bitter notes of high-quality matcha powder into a creamy, soft serve base. This recipe balances the unique flavor of green tea with a silky texture that’s refreshing and satisfying.

• Whisk matcha powder into warm milk until fully dissolved.
• Heat the milk with cream and sugar, then whisk in egg yolks.
• Cook gently until the custard thickens.
• Chill thoroughly.
• Whip or churn the custard until soft serve texture is achieved.
• Serve immediately for a fresh, flavorful frozen dessert.

This matcha soft serve offers a sophisticated taste experience that’s both creamy and vibrant. It’s an excellent choice for tea lovers and those seeking a unique, refreshing alternative to traditional soft serve flavors.

lemon basil soft serve

Lemon basil soft serve offers a bright, refreshing twist on traditional soft serve by combining zesty lemon with fragrant fresh basil. The custard base is infused with these vibrant flavors, resulting in a creamy, aromatic frozen treat perfect for warm days.

• Heat milk, cream, and sugar until warm, then whisk in egg yolks.
• Add finely chopped fresh basil and lemon zest to the mixture.
• Cook gently until thickened, then strain to remove basil bits.
• Chill thoroughly.
• Whip or churn the custard until it reaches soft serve consistency.
• Serve immediately for a fresh, herbaceous flavor with a creamy texture.

This recipe beautifully balances citrus brightness and herbal notes with smooth creaminess, making it a sophisticated and invigorating soft serve option for adventurous palates.

honey lavender soft serve

Honey lavender soft serve blends the floral aroma of culinary lavender with the gentle sweetness of honey in a luscious custard base. This recipe creates a delicate, fragrant soft serve that feels both soothing and indulgent.

• Infuse heavy cream with dried culinary lavender by gently heating, then strain.
• Whisk the infused cream with milk and sugar, then add egg yolks.
• Cook gently until custard thickens, then stir in honey.
• Chill thoroughly.
• Whip or churn until the custard is airy and soft serve–ready.
• Serve immediately to enjoy the fragrant floral notes and creamy sweetness.

This soft serve is perfect for those looking to impress with an elegant, lightly sweetened dessert that combines unique floral flavors with classic creamy texture.

peanut butter swirl soft serve

Peanut butter swirl soft serve is a rich, creamy dessert featuring smooth peanut butter ribbons swirled into a classic vanilla custard base. This recipe offers a perfect balance of nutty flavor and airy softness.

• Prepare a vanilla custard base by heating milk, cream, sugar, and egg yolks until thickened.
• Chill the custard completely.
• Whip or churn until soft and creamy.
• Gently fold in warmed, smooth peanut butter to create swirls without fully mixing.
• Serve immediately for a luscious, nutty soft serve experience.

This peanut butter swirl soft serve delivers indulgent flavor with a silky, smooth texture, making it a favorite for peanut butter lovers seeking a fresh take on classic soft serve.

cookies and cream soft serve

Cookies and cream soft serve is a beloved classic, combining creamy vanilla soft serve with crunchy cookie pieces. This recipe uses a smooth custard base folded with crushed chocolate sandwich cookies to create a delightful contrast in texture and flavor.

• Prepare a vanilla custard by cooking milk, cream, sugar, and egg yolks until thickened.
• Chill the custard completely.
• Whip or churn until light and airy.
• Gently fold in crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, leaving some chunks for texture.
• Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy and crunchy combination.

This soft serve captures the nostalgic flavor of cookies and cream with a luscious, smooth texture that rivals any store-bought version. It’s perfect for anyone wanting a rich and fun frozen treat.

raspberry cheesecake soft serve

Raspberry cheesecake soft serve combines tangy cream cheese with sweet raspberries for a creamy, fruity dessert with a soft serve texture. This recipe blends smooth cream cheese custard with fresh raspberries folded in for bursts of flavor.

• Beat softened cream cheese with sugar until smooth.
• Heat milk and cream, then whisk in egg yolks and cook until custard thickens.
• Combine custard with cream cheese mixture and chill thoroughly.
• Whip or churn until soft serve consistency is achieved.
• Fold in fresh or pureed raspberries gently.
• Serve immediately for a creamy and tangy treat.

The balance of creamy cheesecake and bright raspberry flavors makes this soft serve indulgent yet refreshing. It’s a sophisticated option for those who love fruity desserts.

salted caramel soft serve

Salted caramel soft serve offers a rich, buttery caramel flavor with a hint of sea salt folded into a smooth, creamy soft serve base. This recipe uses homemade or store-bought caramel sauce swirled into classic vanilla custard.

• Prepare a vanilla custard base by cooking milk, cream, sugar, and egg yolks until thickened.
• Chill completely.
• Whip or churn until soft and creamy.
• Gently fold in salted caramel sauce, creating swirls throughout.
• Serve immediately for a luxurious sweet and salty frozen dessert.

This soft serve delivers an indulgent combination of creamy texture and complex caramel flavor with a perfect touch of saltiness, making it a crowd-pleasing dessert for any occasion.

blueberry cheesecake soft serve

Blueberry cheesecake soft serve combines the tangy richness of cream cheese with bursts of sweet blueberry flavor. This recipe uses a creamy custard base folded with fresh or pureed blueberries for a refreshing and indulgent soft serve experience.

• Beat softened cream cheese with sugar until smooth.
• Heat milk and cream, whisk in egg yolks, and cook until custard thickens.
• Mix custard with cream cheese mixture and chill thoroughly.
• Whip or churn until it reaches soft serve consistency.
• Gently fold in blueberries, leaving some whole for texture.
• Serve immediately for a creamy, fruity treat.

This soft serve offers a perfect balance between creamy cheesecake richness and juicy blueberries, making it a delicious and elegant dessert option.

pistachio cardamom soft serve

Pistachio cardamom soft serve offers a nutty and fragrant twist on classic soft serve, blending ground pistachios with warm cardamom spice in a creamy custard base. The result is a unique and aromatic frozen treat.

• Grind shelled pistachios finely or use pistachio paste.
• Heat milk, cream, sugar, and a pinch of ground cardamom until warm.
• Whisk in egg yolks and cook until custard thickens.
• Stir in pistachios, then chill thoroughly.
• Whip or churn until soft serve texture is achieved.
• Serve immediately to enjoy the rich nutty flavor with a hint of spice.

This recipe is perfect for those who appreciate exotic flavors combined with smooth, creamy soft serve texture.

toasted marshmallow soft serve

Toasted marshmallow soft serve recreates the smoky, sweet flavor of toasted marshmallows in a creamy, airy frozen dessert. It features a vanilla custard base infused with marshmallow flavor and lightly browned marshmallow pieces.

• Prepare a vanilla custard by heating milk, cream, sugar, and egg yolks until thickened.
• Stir in marshmallow fluff or melted marshmallows until smooth.
• Chill thoroughly.
• Whip or churn until soft serve consistency.
• Fold in small toasted marshmallow pieces.
• Serve immediately for a nostalgic, creamy treat.

This soft serve captures the warmth and sweetness of a campfire classic with a smooth, light texture, perfect for marshmallow lovers looking for a fun twist on soft serve ice cream.

salted honey soft serve

Salted honey soft serve is a perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors, combining creamy custard with the natural floral notes of honey and a hint of sea salt. This recipe offers a smooth, luscious soft serve that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

• Heat milk, cream, and sugar until warm, then whisk in egg yolks and cook until thickened.
• Stir in high-quality honey and a pinch of sea salt.
• Chill the custard thoroughly.
• Whip or churn until it reaches soft serve consistency.
• Serve immediately for a creamy dessert with balanced sweetness and saltiness.

This soft serve is ideal for those seeking a rich but nuanced flavor, where the salt enhances the honey’s natural depth, creating an elegant frozen treat.

mango chili soft serve

Mango chili soft serve offers a vibrant and exciting combination of sweet mango and spicy chili, creating a unique soft serve experience that balances creamy sweetness with a subtle kick. This tropical-inspired recipe awakens the palate with every bite.

• Puree fresh mangoes with a touch of sugar and a small pinch of chili powder or cayenne.
• Heat cream, milk, and sugar, then whisk in egg yolks and cook until custard thickens.
• Combine the custard with the mango chili puree and chill thoroughly.
• Whip or churn until soft serve texture is achieved.
• Serve immediately for a creamy treat with a spicy twist.

This recipe is perfect for adventurous eaters who enjoy bold flavors and want to try a refreshing soft serve with a surprising heat element.

maple bacon soft serve

Maple bacon soft serve is a savory-sweet delight that combines the rich flavor of maple syrup with crispy bacon bits folded into a creamy vanilla custard base. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and creamy notes in a soft serve texture.

• Cook and crisp bacon, then crumble into small pieces.
• Prepare a vanilla custard base by heating milk, cream, sugar, and egg yolks until thickened.
• Stir in pure maple syrup and chill the custard thoroughly.
• Whip or churn until soft serve consistency is reached.
• Fold in crispy bacon bits gently.
• Serve immediately to enjoy the sweet and salty contrast.

This soft serve offers a gourmet twist on classic flavors, ideal for those who love combining sweet and savory elements in their desserts.

Conclusion

The beauty of soft serve ice cream lies in its delicate texture and endless flavor possibilities. With these 22+ recipes, you can easily experiment at home, customizing flavors and mix-ins to suit your cravings. From tangy fruit-infused options like raspberry cheesecake to rich, indulgent choices like salted caramel and chocolate fudge, the world of soft serve is yours to explore. Making soft serve yourself not only saves you trips to the ice cream shop but also allows you to control ingredients for a fresher, more personalized dessert experience. Enjoy the fun and creativity of soft serve ice cream making — your taste buds will thank you!