Homemade Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

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.

homemade peanut butter ice cream, peanut butter cups, and spoons

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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
peanut butter ice cream ingredients

How to Make Peanut Butter Ice Cream

  1. In a large bowl, combine heavy cream, half and half, sugar, vanilla extract. Stir until well blended.
  2. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker.
  3. Freeze according to the manufacturer’s instruction manual.
  4. When the ice cream is halfway finished, add peanut butter into the machine a spoonful at a time.
    adding peanut butter to ice cream base in an ice cream maker
  5. When the ice cream is almost finished, add coarsely chopped peanut butter cups.
    adding peanut butter cups to ice cream in an ice cream maker

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!

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.

homemade peanut butter ice cream, peanut butter cups, and spoons

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!

Great Ice Cream Topping Recipes

Favorite Peanut Butter Recipes

Check out my easy ice cream recipes and the best dessert recipes here on CopyKat!

homemade peanut butter ice cream, peanut butter cups, and spoons

Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Cups

Rich, creamy peanut butter ice cream loaded with chopped peanut butter cups. This homemade recipe creates premium ice cream in under an hour.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Ice Cream Recipes, Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Calories: 384kcal

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.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 86mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 980IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 0.2mg

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Terri C.

    5 stars
    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

  2. Shana

    5 stars
    This is a great ice cream recipe! I made it in my Kitchenaid ice cream freezer and worked like a charm. Thanks!

5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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