Skip to main content

The 6 Best Fall Ice Cream Flavors To Make

pans of different flavored ice cream with scoops in each one.
Photo by Lama Roscu on Unsplash

Every time the seasons change a chef somewhere is changing their menu. That’s how they keep things fresh and fun. The country seems to go nuts over some of these fall flavors and they will put them into just about any type of food or drink. Pumpkin Spice Latte anyone? It’s no different with ice creameries. Fall ice cream flavors have become quite the popular notion as well.

The cold dessert is still popular, even though it may not be summer weather any longer. The idea of a fall dessert usually has to do with warmth, comfort, and spices. It’s no wonder that brown sugar, apple cider, or pecan pie are popular in the fall and winter. Apples are at their peak in the fall just as are most nuts, although nowadays you can find fall products year-round.

We have some delicious ice creams brands and flavors for you that are tied specifically to fall. If you are not inclined to make your own ice cream desserts, you can certainly pick up your favorite fall flavors pretty much anywhere.

Related Guides

Best Fall Ice Cream Recipes?

These are some of the best ice cream recipes for fall and are easy to make. If you have an ice cream maker and an ice cream scoop you can enjoy making these fall flavors at home. A little tip we would like to put out there that we think you would love: Add a splash of bourbon to your ingredients for an extra kick!

Spiced Persimmon Ice Cream

three scoops of spiced persimmon ice cream in a bowl.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Recipe and photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 cup half-and-half cream
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 3.5 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups mashed ripe persimmon pulp
  • 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant cheesecake pudding mix
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • .25 tsp ground cloves
  • .25 tsp ground nutmeg

Method

  1. In a large heavy saucepan, heat half-and-half cream and sugar until bubbles form around the sides of pan. Whisk a small amount of hot mixture into the egg. Return all to the pan, whisking constantly.
  2. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Quickly transfer to a bowl; place in ice water and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in heavy cream, persimmon, pudding mix, and spices. Press plastic wrap onto surface of custard. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
  3. Fill cylinder of ice cream freezer two-thirds full; freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions. Refrigerate remaining mixture until ready to freeze. Transfer ice cream to freezer containers, allowing headspace for expansion. Freeze 2-4 hours or until firm. Repeat with remaining ice cream mixture.

No-Churn Gingerbread Ice Cream

two scoops of no-churn gingerbread ice cream.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Recipe and photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme
  • 3 tbsp molasses
  • 2 tbsp dark brown sugar
  • .5 tsp ground allspice
  • .5 tsp ground cloves

Method

  1. Place heavy cream and marshmallow creme in a food processor; process 10 seconds. Add remaining ingredients; process until thickened, about 30 seconds.
  2. Transfer to freezer containers, allowing headspace for expansion. Freeze until firm, 8 hours or overnight.

Lite Apple Pie Ice Cream

ninja creami lite apple pie ice cream scoops in a clear glass dish.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Recipe by Nikki Dinki

Ingredients

  • nonstick cooking spray
  • 2 cups finely chopped, unpeeled apples (1–2 apples)
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • .5 tsp cinnamon
  • .5 cup heavy cream
  • .5 cup apple cider

Method

  1. Spray a medium saucepan with nonstick cooking spray, then place saucepan on stove over medium-high heat. Add apples and 3 tablespoons water, then cook about 10 minutes until apples are soft and water evaporates.
  2. Add brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon to saucepan and stir to combine. Cook 2–3 minutes more until apples are very soft.
  3. Transfer cooked apple mixture to a large bowl, then add heavy cream and apple cider and stir to combine all ingredients.
  4. Pour base into an CREAMi Pint. Place pint into an ice bath. Once cooled, place storage lid on pint and freeze for 24 hours.
  5. Remove pint from freezer and remove lid from pint. Place pint in outer bowl, install Creamerizer Paddle onto outer bowl lid, and lock the lid assembly on the outer bowl. Place bowl assembly on motor base and twist the handle right to raise the platform and lock in place.
  6. Select Lite Ice Cream.
  7. When processing is complete, remove ice cream from pint and serve immediately.

TIP: Top with extra sautéed apples and some whipped cream for a dinner party-worthy dessert.

Sweet Potato Pie Gelato

three scoops of ninja creami sweet potato pie gelato.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Recipe by Nikki Dinki

Ingredients

  • .5 cup canned sweet potato puree
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • .25 cup + 1 tbsp sugar, divided
  • 1 tsp cinnamon, divided in halves
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 store-bought, refrigerated pie crust, for topping
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Method

  1. In a medium saucepan, add pureed sweet potato, egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk until fully combined (it won’t be totally smooth, which is okay).
  2. Add heavy cream and vanilla to the saucepan and whisk to combine.
  3. Place saucepan on stove over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk or rubber spatula. Cook until temperature reaches 165–175 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
  4. Remove base from heat and pour through a fine-mesh strainer (if necessary) into an empty CREAMi Pint. Place pint into an ice bath. Once cooled, place storage lid on pint and freeze for 24 hours.
  5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, then spread the refrigerated pie crust out onto the baking sheet. Sprinkle the pie crust with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Bake about 15 minutes until brown, then break into pieces and set aside.
  6. Remove pint from freezer and remove lid from pint. Place pint in outer bowl, install Creamerizer Paddle in outer bowl lid, and lock the lid assembly onto the outer bowl. Place bowl assembly on motor base and twist the handle right to raise the platform and lock in place.
  7. Select Gelato.
  8. When processing is complete, remove gelato from pint, top with pie crust pieces, and serve immediately.

TIP: Can’t find sweet potato puree? Poke a medium sweet potato with a fork, microwave on high for 5 minutes, let cool, and scoop out the flesh. Mash flesh with a fork or process in a food processor. One medium 7-ounce sweet potato should yield the 1/2 cup puree needed for this recipe.

Maple Gelato

two scoops of maple gelato from ninja creami.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Recipe by Ninja Test Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • .5 cup + 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp maple extract (optional)
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk

Method

  1. Place egg yolks, maple syrup, sugar, and maple extract into a small saucepan and whisk until fully combined and sugar is dissolved.
  2. Add heavy cream and milk to saucepan and stir to combine.
  3. Place saucepan on stove over medium heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula. Cook until temperature reaches 165–175 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
  4. Remove base from heat and pour through a fine-mesh strainer into an empty CREAMi. Place pint into an ice bath. Once cooled, place storage lid on pint and freeze for 24 hours.
  5. Remove pint from freezer and remove lid from pint. Place pint in outer bowl, install Creamerizer Paddle onto outer bowl lid, and lock the lid assembly on the outer bowl. Place bowl assembly on motor base and twist the handle right to raise the platform and lock in place.
  6. Select Gelato.
  7. When processing is complete, add mix-ins or remove gelato from pint and serve immediately.

DAIRY-FREE: Use vegan cream cheese for cream cheese, unsweetened coconut cream for heavy cream, and unsweetened oat milk for whole milk. Whisk the coconut cream until smooth, then add the remaining ingredients.

MAKE IT LITE: Use ¼ cup (50 g) + 1 tablespoon organic brown coconut sugar for light brown sugar. Process on Lite Ice Cream program.

NOTE: If your freezer is set to a very cold temperature, the gelato may look crumbly. If this occurs, select Re-spin to process the mixture a little more if not adding mix-ins.

Pumpkin Pie Gelato

four scoops of ninja creami's squash pumpkin pie gelato.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Recipe by Justin Warner

Ingredients

  • 1.75 cups milk
  • .5 cup cooked squash (such as butternut, all seeds removed)
  • .25 cup granulated sugar
  • .5 tsp cinnamon
  • .25 tsp allspice
  • pinch of kosher salt

Method

  1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until the sugar melts, about 5 minutes.
  2. Pour base into an empty CREAMi  Pint. Place storage lid on pint and freeze for 24 hours.
  3. Remove frozen CREAMi from freezer. Place pint in outer bowl, install Creamerizer Paddle onto outer bowl lid, and lock the lid assembly on the outer bowl. Place bowl assembly on motor base and twist the handle right to raise the platform and lock in place.
  4. Select Gelato.
  5. Once processing is complete, remove from pint and serve immediately.

Where Can I Buy Fall Ice Cream Flavors?

Baskin Robbins

The popular ice creamery has two specific fall ice cream flavors:

Trick OREO Treat

baskin robbins trick oreo treat ice cream cup.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Vanilla ice cream crammed with the favorite Halloween candy like Baby Ruth and Butterfinger candy and orange creme-filled Oreos.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

baskin robbins pumpkin cheesecake ice cream cup.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This ice cream tastes like pumpkin ice cream with cinnamon-flavored cheesecake and gingersnap cookies.

Dairy Queen

Pumpkin Pie Blizzard

dairy queen's pumpkin pie blizzard top view.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Made with real pumpkin pie pieces and garnished with whipped topping and nutmeg.

Pecan Pie Blizzard

dairy queen's pecan pie blizzard ice cream hanging upside down.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This Blizzard is made with gooey brown sugar pie pieces, pecans, caramel topping, and whipped topping.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Joe Morales
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Joe Morales is a trained chef with over five years of experience working in fine dining and Michelin recommended restaurants…
Make the best espresso martini with these fantastic recipes
Curious about the trendy espresso martini? Here are some recipes worth trying
Person holding an espresso martini glass placing coffee beans as a garnish.

According to Liquor.com, the espresso martini isn’t a martini at all because it isn’t made with gin or vermouth. When taking a deeper dive, it seems martinis that don't involve gin and vermouth are nothing more than good mixed drinks in a martini glass. Who knew?

Don’t think for a minute that we’re going to change our minds about martinis. Some people just don’t like the taste or flavor of gin and that’s OK. Look, we know there are purists out there and they may have a thing or two to say about how a martini should be made, but that’s what test kitchens are for. Experiment with whatever you have on hand. Who knows, you may discover the next TikTok recipe sensation and go viral.

Read more
Ice cream bread is the lifehack your internal fat kid needs
You like ice cream. You like bread. Why not mix them together?
ice cream bread recipe 6289263 1920

Social media's hottest new recipe trend that's floating around is one that we deeply, truly approve of. Naturally, things like butter boards and new coffee concoctions are always appreciated by those of us who love a fun culinary trend. But there's something about this one that just really tickles us pink - ice cream bread. Maybe it's the tempting simplicity of the name that combines two of the most wonderful things in the world. Maybe it's the fact that the recipe itself is almost simpler than the name. Maybe it's the sprinkles. Whatever the reason, ice cream bread is our new favorite trendy treat.

When we saw this video making the rounds, we decided that we needed to give ice cream bread a try, and the results were pleasantly surprising.

Read more
Forget avocado toast – why sweet potato toast is the best fall breakfast
This amazing fall breakfast is better than avocado toast (yeah, we said it)
Healthy sandwich on sweet potato for breakfast or snack

For those of us who are good little millennials, avocado toast is a sacred part of our morning routine. Something about our day just feels amiss if it's not started with our trusty trendy toast, scarfed on the go, rinsed down with our favorite morning brew.

This healthy breakfast has been getting us going for a while now, and you're not getting any complaints from us. But what if we told you that the latest trend in breakfast food could add a little fall flavor to your old routine, while still maintaining many of the best parts of your tried-and-true avocado-y favorite?

Read more