11 Best Christmas Ice Cream Flavours You Need to Try

Most people really don’t associate ice cream with Christmas. Instead, thoughts of festive cookies, Christmas cakes, and gingerbread dance through their minds.

What most people don’t realize, is that ice cream is actually a comfort food and treat that people reach for all year long.

As a matter of fact, Canada is the largest ice cream consumer during the winter months. As a Canadian, I’m not shocked!

And if you are going to eat ice cream in December, why shouldn’t it be festive? Maybe even festive enough to serve at parties or special dinners!

We have put together a list of the best flavours of ice cream that are perfect for the Christmas season.

Holiday-Inspired Ice Cream Flavours

1. Eggnog Ice Cream

If you love eggnog as much as I do, then making your own eggnog ice cream at home really is a no-brainer.

I found this ice cream to be rich and creamy with the warm flavours of nutmeg and cinnamon, just like traditional eggnog.

And the custard base gives it a smooth texture that is reminiscent of a great glass of cold, creamy eggnog.

It’s great on its own or paired with desserts like pie or cookies. And if you want to kick it up a notch, add some of your favourite rum.

Definitely a must-try!

2. No churn Peppermint Mocha

Once pumpkin spice season is over, peppermint mocha becomes my go-to flavour. Of course, this applies to ice cream as well!

This peppermint mocha ice cream is the perfect blend of chocolate, coffee, and refreshing peppermint.

And the no-churn method makes it simple to prepare, with no special equipment needed.

What could be better than the flavour of rich mocha paired with the cool, festive taste of crushed candy canes?

We think it’s an easy and delicious treat for the holidays or any time you’re craving something indulgent and seasonal.

3. Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Ice Cream

I love the awesome flavour and scent of gingerbread. And don’t even get me started on my chocolate addiction!

This dark chocolate gingerbread ice cream is a rich and flavorful dessert that combines the bold taste of dark chocolate with the warm spices of gingerbread.

Combine these two wonderful flavours into an ice cream, and you have pure holiday magic.

The creamy chocolate base is infused with cinnamon, ginger, and molasses, giving it a spicy, festive twist.

Instead of candied ginger, we added bits of gingerbread and spiced cookies at the end for texture and extra flavour in every bite. Yum!

4. Peppermint Cookies and Cream

With my peppermint kick in full swing, it’s no wonder that this No-churn peppermint cookie ice cream caught my eye!

Not only does it look festive without being in your face about it, but it’s so easy to make.

And we all know that cool peppermint pairs perfectly with rich chocolate. Amiright??

This recipe produces a creamy ice cream that is packed with crushed chocolate cookies and bits of peppermint candy for a mix of textures and flavours.

With no ice cream maker needed, it’s a simple way to bring holiday cheer to your dessert table.

Oh, and it’s not only great for enjoying on its own! It’s also an awesome topping for brownies or cakes!

5. Panettone Ice Cream (No Churn)

As soon as John came across this flavour of ice cream, I knew that I would have to make it for him.

Not only does he think that ice cream should be its own food group, but he also goes crazy for Panettone. Add the two together and it’s heaven in a bowl for him!

This unique ice cream is even easy to make.

It starts with a creamy vanilla base and is finished with the addition of Panettone (Italian Christmas bread) and candied fruit peel.

Panettone ice cream is a great dessert to serve after a holiday dinner or enjoy on its own.

6. Easy No-Churn Cranberry Ice Cream Recipe

Cranberries used to be a hard sell in my family.

But over the years, I have managed to incorporate enough of them into our meals, that I seem to have worn everyone down.

So when I brought up the idea of trying cranberry ice cream, there wasn’t the slightest bit of resistance!

And this cranberry ice cream didn’t disappoint. It’s refreshing and balances the sweet and tart flavours perfectly.

This bright and tangy ice cream would be a perfect finisher for a rich holiday meal.

It pairs beautifully with desserts like pies or cakes or can be enjoyed all on its own.

And, it’s a great way to use up any leftover cranberries from your holiday meal!

7. Santa’s Milk & Cookies

Who doesn’t love dunking their cookies in a tall glass of cold milk?

So if this combination appeals to you, then you will need to try this milk and cookies ice cream.

This creamy ice cream is packed with chunks of your favourite cookies, giving it a crunchy texture and bursts of sweet flavour.

The rich vanilla base adds the perfect balance, giving each scoop that iconic milk and cookies flavour.

It’s a simple yet indulgent dessert that’s great for all ages.

And best of all, if you have Christmas cookies kicking around, this is the perfect way to use them up.

And depending on what cookies you have on hand, the flavours are endless.

Non-Dairy Festive Ice Cream Recipes

8. Blood Orange Sorbet

I have always enjoyed the bright flavour of blood oranges. And in our travels, John and I have come across a few places serving blood orange gelato or sorbet.

So I was definitely clicking my heels when I came across this dairy-free blood orange sorbet.

And in case you are wondering, it’s soooo much more flavourful than the usual orange sorbet you find in most grocery stores!

This recipe produces a refreshing dessert that highlights the bold, citrusy flavour of blood oranges.

It’s light and smooth, with just the right balance of sweetness and tartness.

The vibrant colour makes it as stunning to look at as it is to eat.

I definitely think this sorbet would make the perfect palate cleanser or even a light treat after a hearty holiday meal.

9. Candy Cane Nice Cream

Candy cane nice cream is a festive and healthy alternative to traditional ice cream.

In case you are wondering, that is not a typo.

NICE cream is a frozen non-dairy dessert, similar to ice cream, but uses pureed frozen fruit (usually bananas) as a base.

This recipe starts with a creamy banana base. You then add chocolate and crushed candy canes to give it a refreshing peppermint flavour and a bit of crunch.

It’s a quick and easy, guilt-free treat that’s perfect for the season.

It’s also a fun way to enjoy a classic holiday flavour if you can’t have dairy.

10. Quick and Easy Christmas Ice Cream

This ice cream flavour will cause more than a few people to scoff, I’m sure. But hear me out.

This Christmas ice cream is a simple dessert that brings together festive flavours with minimal effort.

Made with simple ingredients and a creamy base of bananas and Medjool dates, this ice cream is sweet, but at the same time, filled with hints of spice.

And while it may look a little too much like the dreaded Christmas cake, it really does taste good.

11. Vegan Amaretto Cherry Ice Cream

One flavour that totally reminds me of Christmas is amaretto. Every year, the Italian amaretti cookies would make an appearance in my home.

And it’s a cookie that is a constant in my Christmas baking to this day.

So when I came across this vegan amaretto cherry ice cream, I was immediately intrigued.

As someone who loves cherry ice cream, and is also lactose-intolerant, this ice cream was a win on all accounts!

Combining the bold flavour of amaretto and the sweet-tart taste of cherries with a creamy base is pure holiday magic.

This dairy-free ice cream may be a little fussier to make, but the rich and unique flavour definitely makes it worth every second! Trust me!

Final Thoughts

And there you have it! Some awesome and unique ice cream recipes that scream Christmas.

From eggnog and candy cane to orange-cranberry and hot chocolate, these holiday-inspired ice cream flavours offer something a little different from the usual.

Why settle for the usual vanilla, when you can kick that ice cream up a notch with a festive flair?

Let us know what your favourite holiday ice cream flavour is!