Don’t put your ice cream maker in storage just yet! These delicious fall ice cream recipes are the perfect thing for those of you still waiting on cooler temps, and even if you’ve already got a nip in the air, they’re 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 pairing suggestions to take your fall and holiday dessert plans over the top!
No-Churn Cranberry Ice Cream
The bright, tart flavor of cranberries is unique, and the color is out-of-this-world gorgeous! I find that strong tart fruits like cranberry (and lemon) make fabulous ice cream flavors, so grab a few extra bags of berries next time you see them, you’re gonna want to make this on repeat all fall.
Pairing Suggestion ~ Flourless Belgian Chocolate Cake
Cranberry and chocolate go unexpectedly great together. I think a scoop of creamy, tart, cranberry ice cream over a warm slice of flourless chocolate cake would be a pretty amazing way to end a holiday meal.
Maple Walnut Ice Cream
This ice cream has a sweet, nostalgic flavor that I just love. You don’t see it in ice cream shops much anymore, and it’s such a shame. It’s wonderful as is, but imagine it scooped over a warm apple crisp or apple fritter bread just out of the oven!
Pairing Suggestion ~ Roasted Banana Bread with Walnuts
A simple loaf or pound cake can easily be elevated to elegant-dessert-material with a scoop of ice cream. The toasty notes in my roasted banana bread with walnuts would compliment the maple ice cream beautifully.
No Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream
No ice cream maker required ~ this quick and easy pumpkin spice ice cream tastes just like pumpkin pie in ice cream form. Make it in the morning and it will be perfectly scoopable by dinner.
Pairing Suggestion ~ Black Bottom Bourbon Pecan Pie
Get all your Thanksgiving dessert fixes in one fell swoop by making my black bottom bourbon pecan pie and topping it with pumpkin spice ice cream!
Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream
I really love the unusual pairing of fall spices with creamy, cool ice cream. This gingerbread ice cream uses molasses for an authentic flavor. It’s one of my favorite ice cream recipes on the blog, so if you love gingerbread, give it a try.
Pairing Suggestion ~ Gluten Free Pear Crisp
Every crisp needs a great ice cream to complete it, and I think the warm spices in my gingerbread ice cream would be amazing with a fresh pear crisp. In fact, I know the flavor combination is a winner, because I’ve got a Spiced Gingerbread Pear Crumble on the blog, too!
Nutmeg Ice Cream
Nutmeg is one of those under appreciated fall spices. I keep a ready supply and I always grind it fresh!
Pairing Suggestion ~ Maple Glazed Oatmeal Cookies
This nutmeg ice cream is excellent sandwiched between my Chewy Ginger Cookies, but I also love it with my Gingerbread Snickerdoodles, or these Maple Glazed Oatmeal Cookies.
Which ice cream machine do I recommend?
I get asked all the time about what machine I use. I use and recommend Cuisinart. I’ve had my machine for years without any issues, I think because there are no fussy electronic parts to break down ~ it’s a simple motor that turns the freezer bowl for churning the ice cream and it works quickly and perfectly every time.
- The machine I use, and it’s the base model. It works great for ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbets, and makes all of them in about 2o minutes. Click HERE or click on the image for more info.
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 🙂