Coffee and Donuts Ice Cream Recipes

Coffee and Donuts Ice Cream Recipes 

Few pairings rival the magic of coffee and donuts. Together, they hit all the right notes—warm, sweet, rich, and comforting. But when you blend these breakfast favorites into ice cream, you unlock an indulgent world of flavor that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly bold. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or just treat yourself to a decadent dessert, these three coffee and donuts ice cream recipes will absolutely deliver. Get ready to meet your new obsession.

1. Classic Coffee & Glazed Donut Ice Cream

This first recipe is a tribute to everything we love about a morning trip to the donut shop: the scent of fresh coffee and the sugary melt-in-your-mouth texture of a warm glazed donut. Swirled into a creamy, espresso-infused base, chunks of real donuts offer chewy-sweet contrast in every spoonful.

Ingredients:

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon instant espresso powder

4 large egg yolks

2-3 classic glazed donuts (preferably day-old), chopped

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Make the base: In a medium saucepan, heat the cream, milk, sugar, salt, and espresso powder over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves.

Temper the eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Slowly pour in a cup of the hot cream mixture while whisking, then return the yolk mixture to the pan. Stir constantly until the custard thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.

Chill: Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and cool. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Churn: Pour into an ice cream maker and churn per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Add donuts: In the final minute of churning, fold in chopped donuts.

Freeze: Transfer to a container and freeze 4+ hours for scoopable perfection.

Why You’ll Love It:

The espresso balances out the sweetness of the donut, making this flavor rich but not overwhelming. It’s perfect for coffee purists who like just a touch of sweetness—and donut fans who dream of dessert all day long.

2. Mocha Frosted Donut Fudge Swirl Ice Cream

Chocolate lovers, this one’s for you. Rich mocha ice cream meets the soft, cakey texture of chocolate-frosted donuts, then gets a luxurious ribbon of fudge swirled in. This recipe captures the feel of a full dessert café menu in one dish.

Ingredients:

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

3/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon instant coffee

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large chocolate-frosted donuts, diced

1/2 cup hot fudge sauce (homemade or store-bought)

Instructions:

Make mocha base: Combine cream, milk, cocoa powder, sugar, coffee, and salt in a saucepan. Heat and whisk until smooth and steaming.

Cool and flavor: Stir in vanilla and let the mixture cool. Chill for at least 4 hours.

Churn: Pour into your ice cream maker and churn as directed.

Fold in donuts: Once churned, gently fold in donut pieces.

Add fudge swirl: Layer the ice cream in a container, adding dollops of fudge between layers. Use a knife to swirl.

Freeze: Set in the freezer for 6 hours or overnight.

Pro Tip:

For extra richness, drizzle warm fudge over the scoops before serving and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.

3. Coffee Cake Donut & Cinnamon Crumble Ice Cream

If you love cinnamon coffee cake donuts, you’ll adore this bakery-inspired ice cream. The warm cinnamon flavor, crumbly topping, and sweet doughnut chunks create a homey, spiced flavor that’s perfect for cozy nights in—or anytime you want fall vibes in a bowl.

Ingredients:

For the Ice Cream Base

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon instant espresso

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Mix-Ins

2 cinnamon sugar donuts, chopped

1/2 cup cinnamon streusel (recipe below)

Quick Streusel Topping

1/4 cup flour

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons butter (cold)

Streusel Instructions:

Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly.

Bake on a tray at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes until golden and crispy. Cool before using.

Ice Cream Instructions:

Prepare the base: Heat cream, milk, brown sugar, espresso, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Stir until smooth. Cool and chill.

Churn: Process in ice cream maker until thick.

Layer and mix: Fold in chopped donuts and cooled streusel bits.

Freeze: Let set in the freezer for at least 4 hours before serving.

Optional Add-on:

Top your bowl with a dash of cinnamon sugar or a dollop of whipped cream and a tiny donut on the side for dramatic flair.

Tips for All Three Recipes

Donuts work best slightly stale: Day-old donuts absorb the ice cream better and hold their texture.

Don’t over-churn with mix-ins: Add donuts in the final minutes to prevent them from breaking down too much.

Balance is key: Coffee ice cream can be strong—taste your base before churning and adjust sweetness or espresso levels to your preference.

Storage: Homemade ice cream is best within a week, though it can last longer. Store in an airtight container to avoid freezer burn.

Serving Ideas

Affogato Style: Pour hot espresso over a scoop of any of these ice creams.

Waffle Cone Sandwich: Scoop between two toasted mini waffles.

Dipped Donuts: Use leftover glaze or fudge to dip scoops into for a frozen “fried” dessert.

Coffee and donuts have always been comfort food royalty, but transforming them into ice cream opens up an entirely new level of indulgence. Whether you’re after the silky espresso buzz of the classic, the decadent richness of mocha fudge, or the warm spice of cinnamon crumble, these three coffee and donut ice cream recipes hit every craving.

With easy-to-find ingredients and fun mix-ins, they're great for weekend projects, dessert parties, or anytime your freezer needs a little more flavor magic. 

Helpful Reading 

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https://www.amazon.com/Low-Histamine-Bread-Recipes-Loaves-Sensitive-ebook/dp/B0F2SNZKDR/

The Dahlia Microfarm: Starting a Profitable Backyard Flower Business 

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Lavender for Weddings and Events: Grow and Create DOY Bouquets, Decor and More 

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