The Cheesecake Ice Cream Treat is a delightful no-churn dessert that brings the rich, tangy flavor of cheesecake to the refreshing coolness of ice cream, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings with minimal effort. This recipe is incredibly useful as it requires no special ice cream maker, making homemade frozen treats accessible to everyone and a fantastic way to elevate your dessert game.
Key Ingredients for Cheesecake Ice Cream Treat
- 2 cups (16 ounces) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups (11 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for extra tang)
- 2 cups (16 ounces) heavy whipping cream, very cold
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers (about 6 full graham crackers)
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for graham cracker crust layer)
- Optional toppings: fresh berries, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, extra graham cracker crumbs, whipped cream
How to Make Cheesecake Ice Cream Treat
This easy Cheesecake Ice Cream Treat offers a luxuriously creamy texture and a delightful balance of sweet and tangy flavors, reminiscent of your favorite cheesecake but in a wonderfully cool, frozen form. With a simple whisking and folding process, you’ll create a dessert that’s both satisfying and incredibly easy to whip up. The preparation time is approximately 20 minutes for active prep, plus freezing time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Graham Cracker Swirl: In a small bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir well until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Set aside.
- Create the Cheesecake Base: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer or a whisk.
- Sweeten the Base: Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk to the cream cheese, beating until thoroughly combined and no lumps remain. Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon zest (if using).
- Whip the Cream: In a separate, very cold bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip.
- Combine Base and Cream: Gently fold about a third of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to lighten it. Then, carefully fold in the remaining whipped cream until just combined and no streaks remain. You want to maintain as much air as possible.
- Assemble the Ice Cream: Take a freezer-safe container (a loaf pan or a rectangular plastic container works well). Spoon half of the cheesecake ice cream mixture into the container.
- Add the Graham Cracker Layer: Sprinkle about half of the prepared graham cracker mixture evenly over the cheesecake ice cream layer.
- Layer Again: Dollop the remaining cheesecake ice cream mixture over the graham cracker layer.
- Top with Crumbs: Sprinkle the rest of the graham cracker mixture over the top of the ice cream. You can gently swirl it in with a knife if desired for a more integrated look.
- Freeze: Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and freeze for at least 6-8 hours, or until firm. For best results, allow it to freeze overnight.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesecake Ice Cream Treat
You’ll absolutely adore this Cheesecake Ice Cream Treat for its incredibly rich, velvety texture that melts in your mouth, delivering all the decadent flavor of classic cheesecake without the fuss of baking. It’s a budget-friendly dream, allowing you to recreate a gourmet dessert experience at home for a fraction of the cost of store-bought ice cream or a bakery cheesecake. The delightful tang of cream cheese, combined with the sweet crunch of graham crackers, creates a flavor profile that’s truly irresistible, and the option to customize with your favorite toppings like fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate makes every scoop uniquely yours.
Unlike a traditional baked cheesecake that requires an oven and hours of chilling, this no-churn wonder comes together in minutes with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. It’s the perfect way to impress guests or simply treat yourself to something special without the commitment of complex baking. Get ready to fall in love with this effortless dessert that’s sure to become a fast favorite; give it a try this weekend!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store your delectable Cheesecake Ice Cream Treat, ensure it’s kept in an airtight, freezer-safe container. This prevents freezer burn and helps maintain its delicious texture. It will stay fresh and enjoyable for up to 2 weeks when stored properly in the freezer. If you find it a bit too hard to scoop after a longer freeze, let it sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes to soften slightly before serving. There is no reheating involved for this frozen treat; its magic lies in its chilled state. If you wish to freeze it for future enjoyment, simply follow the storage instructions provided above.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesecake Ice Cream Treat truly captures the essence of a beloved dessert in an incredibly accessible frozen form. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly magical, so don’t hesitate to whip up a batch and treat yourself!
Cheesecake Ice Cream Treat
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir well until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Set aside.1 cup crushed graham crackers, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer or a whisk.2 cups full-fat cream cheese
- Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk to the cream cheese, beating until thoroughly combined and no lumps remain. Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon zest (if using).1 1/2 cups sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- In a separate, very cold bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip.2 cups heavy whipping cream
- Gently fold about a third of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to lighten it. Then, carefully fold in the remaining whipped cream until just combined and no streaks remain. You want to maintain as much air as possible.2 cups full-fat cream cheese, 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- Take a freezer-safe container (a loaf pan or a rectangular plastic container works well). Spoon half of the cheesecake ice cream mixture into the container.
- Sprinkle about half of the prepared graham cracker mixture evenly over the cheesecake ice cream layer.1 cup crushed graham crackers
- Dollop the remaining cheesecake ice cream mixture over the graham cracker layer.
- Sprinkle the rest of the graham cracker mixture over the top of the ice cream. You can gently swirl it in with a knife if desired for a more integrated look.1 cup crushed graham crackers
- Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and freeze for at least 6-8 hours, or until firm. For best results, allow it to freeze overnight.