Whip Up Dreamy Watermelon Ice Cream Recipe This Summer!

Summer’s heat melts away with this delightful watermelon ice cream that blends refreshing flavors into a creamy dessert.

Cool watermelon puree swirls through the smooth, velvety base, creating a stunning pink treat.

Ripe watermelon brings natural sweetness and vibrant color to this homemade delight.

Each spoonful bursts with fruity freshness and rich, creamy texture.

No complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients stand between you and this simple dessert.

This recipe transforms basic ingredients into a spectacular summer indulgence that will impress everyone at the table.

Chill out and savor every delectable bite of this irresistible watermelon ice cream.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 hours

Total Time: 35 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 5

Watermelon Ice Cream Recipe: What Goes In

• Watermelon: Sweet summer star with vibrant color and refreshing juice, choose ripe and deep red for maximum flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Luxurious dairy component that creates smooth, rich texture and helps prevent ice crystals.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy sweetener that adds richness and helps achieve perfect soft-serve consistency.

• Vanilla Extract: Warm aromatic booster that deepens the overall taste profile and complements watermelon's natural sweetness.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Delightful crunchy surprise that adds texture and contrasting flavor to the creamy watermelon base.
• Sea Salt: Optional flavor booster that can intensify the watermelon's natural sweetness and create complex taste layers.

Tools for Blending and Freezing Watermelon Ice Cream

• Blender: Essential for creating smooth, creamy watermelon base.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping watermelon into cubes.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for precise watermelon cutting.
• Loaf pan or airtight container: Ideal for freezing and storing the ice cream.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding in chocolate chips and smoothing the top.
• Measuring cups: Useful for accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Make Watermelon Ice Cream Smooth and Fruity

• Prep the Juicy Red Goodness

Chop watermelon into bite-sized chunks and pop them into the freezer until completely solid, which typically takes about 4-6 hours or overnight.

• Whip Up the Creamy Mixture

Toss those frozen watermelon cubes into a powerful blender. Pulse and blend until smooth, creating a dreamy, frosty texture. You might need to pause and scrape down the sides to ensure everything gets perfectly mixed.

• Add Playful Extras

Want to jazz things up? Sprinkle in some mini chocolate chips and gently fold them through the mixture for a delightful surprise in every bite.

• Freeze and Set

Pour your luscious creation into a container, smoothing the top with a spatula. Slide it into the freezer and let it chill for several hours until it reaches a perfect scoopable consistency.

• Serve and Enjoy

Remove from the freezer and let it sit for a few minutes to soften slightly. Scoop into bowls and savor the refreshing, summery treat that celebrates watermelon’s natural sweetness.

Flavor Enhancements to Try with This Summer Treat

• Use very ripe watermelon for maximum sweetness and smoother blending, ensuring a silky-smooth ice cream consistency.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a vegan-friendly version that maintains the luscious texture.
• Experiment with complementary mix-ins like fresh mint leaves, lime zest, or a drizzle of honey to enhance the watermelon's natural sweetness.
• For the best scoopable texture, let the ice cream sit in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly without melting completely.
• Top with fresh watermelon chunks, toasted coconut flakes, or a sprinkle of sea salt to add exciting texture and depth to your dessert.

Serve Watermelon Ice Cream in Bowls or Cones

• Summer Party Platter: Arrange scoops on a colorful platter with fresh mint leaves and extra chocolate chips sprinkled around for a festive look.
• Boozy Adult Twist: Drizzle with a shot of vodka or white rum before serving to create a fun cocktail-inspired dessert for grown-ups.
• Kids' Sundae Bar: Set up a make-your-own station with watermelon ice cream, chocolate chips, sprinkles, and whipped cream for a playful dessert experience.
• Fresh Fruit Companion: Serve alongside fresh berries or sliced peaches to enhance the fruity watermelon flavor and add extra freshness to the dessert.

Storage Tips for Homemade Fruit Ice Cream

• Remove watermelon ice cream from freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to soften perfectly for smooth scooping.
• Keep ice cream in airtight container with tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and maintain fresh flavor for up to 2 weeks.
• Use small silicone molds or parchment paper-lined muffin tins to create individual servings, making grab-and-go treats easier.
• Store chocolate chips separately in a small sealed bag inside the container to maintain crispness and prevent moisture absorption.

Dreamy Watermelon Ice Cream Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 35 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Cool summer days find sweet relief in homemade watermelon ice cream, a refreshing treat blending tropical fruit and creamy indulgence. Smooth, fruity scoops will transport you to breezy beach memories with each delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (950 ml) watermelon, cubed and frozen
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
• ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• Optional: mini chocolate chips (to mimic watermelon seeds)

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Instructions

1. Watermelon Preparation: Slice watermelon into uniform cubes and transfer to freezer, allowing fruit to solidify completely for minimum 4 hours or preferably overnight until thoroughly frozen.
2. Blending Process: Transfer frozen watermelon cubes into high-powered blender, incorporating cream and other liquid ingredients. Pulse and blend until smooth, periodically scraping container sides to ensure consistent texture and eliminate any remaining solid chunks.
3. Flavor Enhancement: Gently fold mini chocolate chips or preferred mix-ins into the blended mixture, creating delightful textural variations throughout the ice cream base.
4. Freezing Stage: Carefully transfer mixture into designated freezer-safe container, smoothing surface evenly to promote uniform freezing. Place in freezer for approximately 23 hours, allowing mixture to set and develop ideal scoopable consistency.
5. Serving Technique: Remove ice cream from freezer, allowing brief resting period of 5-10 minutes at ambient temperature. This slight thawing ensures effortless scooping and optimal flavor release. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing watermelon dessert.

Notes

• Use frozen watermelon cubes that are completely solid for the smoothest, creamiest texture without excess water separation.
• Pause blending and scrape container sides to ensure even consistency and prevent chunky patches in the ice cream.
• Select full-fat cream or coconut cream for richer texture and better freezing performance, avoiding watery results.
• Experiment with add-ins like mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or fresh mint to elevate the watermelon ice cream’s flavor profile and add interesting texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 20 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg