Don’t put your ice cream maker in storage just yet! These delicious fall ice cream and dessert pairings are a fun way to à la mode all your fall baking.
Having lived in LA for a few decades, I know all too well the pain of pumpkin-spice-latte season peaking while it’s still 100F outside.
Maybe that’s why I’ve accumulated a nice little collection of fall-themed frozen treats here on the blog. For those of you not battling the heat, I’ve included some yummy fall ice cream pairings to take your fall and holiday dessert plans over the top!
flourless belgian chocolate cake + cranberry ice cream
Dense, silky flourless chocolate cake ~ cut with zippy cranberry ice cream. The chocolate and bold pink together are a showstopper.
warm banana pudding cake + no churn Bailey’s ice cream
Spoonable banana pudding cake meets silky no-churn Baileys ~ it melts into the warm cake like a sauce.
brown sugar shortbread + fresh plum custard
Plums are an underrated autumnal fruit with a beautiful flavor and color that makes a stunning homemade custard. Buttery shortbread with notes of brown sugar is the perfect complement without overpowering the delicate flavor of seasonal plums.
almond and pear tart + Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream
Pears on almond frangipane, still warm ~ one scoop of the perfect gingerbread ice cream and it’s 5-star restaurant worthy.
butter pecan shortbread bars + dulce de leche ice cream
Caramel lovers, this is it: pecan shortbread foundation with a cool dulce de leche crown.
acorn meringue cookies + maple walnut ice cream
I just love this cute fall-forward pairing of little cocoa and walnut meringue acorns with one of my favorite ice cream flavors of all time – maple walnut!
puff pastry apple strudel + no churn vanilla bean ice cream
Sometimes you just can’t mess with perfection, and the cozy flavors of apple, cinnamon, and flaky puff pastry really don’t need anything more than a simple and perfect vanilla bean ice cream.
maple frangipane pecan pie + pumpkin ice cream
Can’t choose between pecan pie and pumpkin pie? Have the best of both worlds with my favorite pecan “pie” ever, and a deliciously spiced pumpkin ice cream.
Chocolate Espresso Chip Cookies + Coffee Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
A cute double take on the coffee and cookie theme.
gluten free pear crisp + Cardamom Ice Cream
Bake the GF pear crisp, add one aromatic cardamom scoop, wait ten seconds—magic.
perfect pumpkin bread + chocolate frozen custard
We’ve all had a great chocolate chip pumpkin bread, but why not combine chocolate and pumpkin in an unexpected way by pairing the perfect simple pumpkin loaf cake with a super rich chocolate frozen custard?
olive oil brownies + manhattan cocktail ice cream
Are you brave enough to try this unconventional combo? That first bite is your reward!
blackberry pecan bars + Lemon Frozen Custard
if you like contrast in flavor, this nails it: lively blackberry, warm pecan, with a bright pop of lemon!
pumpkin spice crisp + nutmeg ice cream
Two of my favorite recipes combine to be an epic fall dessert pairing. The nutmeg ice cream can be changed up with different seasonal spices.
Homemade Thin Mints Recipe + Fresh Mint Chip Ice Cream
I don’t think you’ll find a more refreshing ice cream dessert pairing on the planet!
chocolate thin and crispy cookies + black coffee ice cream
One of my favorite combos teams up in this crispy/creamy duo!
Chocolate Ganache Tart + Amarena cherry gelato
Silky chocolate ganache tart meets lush Amarena cherry gelato for a black-forest vibe.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie + Cookie Dough Ice Cream
Cookie lovers of all ages will appreciate this combo.
perfect pound cake + roasted fig gelato
Warm, buttery pound cake with a scoop of roasted fig gelato ~ the lush caramelized figs make a simple slice feel like fall.
Luckily, I live in New England where maple walnut ice cream is a staple! It’s wonderful with apple pie. But butter pecan ice cream is more of my go to – also wonderful with apple pie. However, I am intrigued by your suggestion of honey ice cream with butter pecan shortbread. Definitely on my list!
Sue, this is a terrific article. All of your ice creams and pairings are perfect suggestions.
Thanks so much Ellen!
You are so right on! Seems a little early for the pumpkin spice anything. We are experiencing upper 80s and even 90s I. Some areas of LA. Most people don’t understand we don’t have summer weathe until September and October being the perfect month in So Cal! So these ice creams are perfect for our time of year. You’re missing out Sue! Happy autumn ?
They all look so yummy! Thanks for sharing!
These all sound fabulous and I don’t know where to start. Could you please send samples?
Thank you for the inspiration and your recipes upped my desert game for the holidays
Droolworthy ice creams — and your pairing suggestions are spot on. We’re in South Florida — and we won’t feel cooler temperatures (as in the 70s) until December…. This is genius.
Thanks Lisa, i knew my warmer climate readers would love it 🙂