The first time I made homemade ice cream, I knew it had to be peanut butter. There’s something irresistible about the combination of rich, creamy peanut butter ice cream studded with chunks of peanut butter cups that creates pure dessert magic. This recipe transformed my kitchen into an ice cream parlor, producing premium-quality results that rival any store-bought brand while filling the house with the most incredible aroma.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
Combining heavy cream and half-and-half creates the perfect fat content for rich, scoopable ice cream. Adding peanut butter gradually during churning prevents it from clumping while ensuring even distribution throughout. The sugar sweetens and helps prevent ice crystals from forming, while the vanilla enhances the overall flavor complexity.
Ingredients
- Heavy cream – Provides a rich base and creates smooth, luxurious texture that defines premium ice cream
- Half-and-half – Balances richness while adding creaminess and helping achieve perfect consistency
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens ice cream and prevents ice crystal formation during freezing process
- Pure vanilla extract – Enhances peanut butter flavor and adds aromatic depth to overall taste profile
- Creamy peanut butter – Creates signature flavor and adds natural creaminess and richness
- Peanut butter cups – Provides textural contrast and bursts of chocolate-peanut butter combination
How to Make Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- In a large bowl, combine heavy cream, half and half, sugar, vanilla extract. Stir until well blended.
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker.
- Freeze according to the manufacturer’s instruction manual.
- When the ice cream is halfway finished, add peanut butter into the machine a spoonful at a time.
- When the ice cream is almost finished, add coarsely chopped peanut butter cups.
Customize this Peanut Butter Ice Cream Recipe
You can make this recipe taste however you want it to by adding in more mixins to the ice cream. Think of how you can go to Cold Stone Creamery and choose the different ingredients to add to your ice cream to make it just how you like it. Well, you can do that with this recipe too!
Here is a list of some toppings you can try with this homemade peanut butter ice cream recipe:
- Fudge
- Reese’s pieces
- Oreos
- Mini chocolate chips
- Peanut butter chips
- Chopped nuts
- Waffle cone pieces
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Chocolate chunks
These are a few of my favorites. The combinations for this recipe are endless!
Recommended Equipment
I am using a Whynter ice cream machine to make this batch of homemade ice cream. You will have ice cream in a little less than an hour. I have made many quarts of ice cream with this machine. It makes ice cream much like any premium ice cream you would enjoy. Using that exact model is not required, but it works very well.
Storage & Serving Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Never store finished ice cream in the refrigerator as it will not maintain proper texture.
- Serving Method: Remove from freezer 5-10 minutes before scooping for easier serving. Use a warm ice cream scoop for best results.
- Freezing: Store in airtight containers for up to 2 months for optimal quality and flavor retention.
Love homemade ice cream? Try these recipes!
- Cake Batter Ice Cream
- Cherry Garcia
- French Vanilla Ice Cream
- No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
- Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie
Great Ice Cream Topping Recipes
Favorite Peanut Butter Recipes
Check out my easy ice cream recipes and the best dessert recipes here on CopyKat!
Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Cups
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup half and half
- ¾ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- â…“ cup peanut butter creamy or smooth
- 4 peanut butter cups coarsely chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine heavy cream, half and half, sugar, vanilla extract. Stir until well blended.
- Pour the ice cream base into an ice cream maker. Follow the directions in the ice cream maker instruction manual.
- When the ice cream is half done, add peanut butter into the machine, a spoonful at a time.
- When the ice cream is almost complete, add coarsely chopped peanut butter cups.
Thank you for this excellent recipe. I used just 1/4 t. vanilla and added 1/8 t. fine salt and omitted the peanut butter cups. My Hamilton Beach ice cream maker took just 22 minutes which is about what all ice cream recipes take in it. I made an ice cream cake out of it using half a box of devil’s food cake mix. https://i.imgur.com/7ZDGYJq.jpg
That looks outstanding!
This is a great ice cream recipe! I made it in my Kitchenaid ice cream freezer and worked like a charm. Thanks!
Wow lovely!
So delicious!