Introduction

Circus Animal Cookies Ice Cream is a fun and colorful no-churn dessert that combines the creamy richness of whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk with the nostalgic crunch of chopped circus animal cookies. This easy-to-make treat swirls pastel pinks and whites, making it perfect for parties or anytime you want a playful frozen dessert.

A white oval dish filled with a creamy, light pink mixture that has a soft, swirled texture, topped with small colorful round sprinkles scattered evenly across the surface. There are several pastel pink and white animal-shaped cookies placed on top, slightly pressed into the cream. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

30-40 circus animal cookies, chopped
2 cups heavy whipping cream
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla paste or extract
Pink food coloring
Nonpareil sprinkles

Instructions

Step 1: Place a bowl or container that can hold 6 cups of liquid into the freezer. This will be used to store and serve the ice cream later.
Step 2: Roughly chop the circus animal cookies on a cutting board. Set aside about half a cup of chopped cookies and some whole cookies for garnish.
Step 3: In one large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and the chopped cookies.
Step 4: In another large bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
Step 5: Gently fold about one cup of the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture. Then fold in the remaining whipped cream quickly but carefully to maintain fluffiness.
Step 6: Transfer half of this mixture back into the original bowl and add several drops of pink food coloring. Stir until you get a soft pastel pink similar to the color of the pink animal cookies.
Step 7: Remove your serving dish from the freezer. Begin layering the ice cream by adding a layer of the white mixture, followed by sprinkles and optional cookie chunks. Next, add a layer of the pink mixture and more sprinkles. Continue alternating layers until all the ice cream base is used.
Step 8: Use a knife to gently swirl the layers together. Avoid over-mixing to prevent colors from blending too much or sprinkles from bleeding.
Step 9: Top the final layer with additional sprinkles, crushed cookie crumbs, and whole cookies as garnish.
Step 10: Return the dish to the freezer and freeze for 4-6 hours or until firm. Scoop into bowls and enjoy your festive ice cream!

Tips & Variations

For extra texture, fold in a handful of whole or roughly chopped cookies just before layering.
If you prefer, swap vanilla paste with vanilla extract without affecting the flavor significantly.
Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant pastel pink without altering the ice cream’s consistency.
Try layering with a cookie crumble or chocolate chips to add variety.

Storage

Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week. To serve, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly before scooping. Avoid refreezing leftovers after thawing to maintain texture.

How to Serve

A close-up of a white bowl with soft pink swirls filled with several scoops of pink and cream-colored ice cream mixed with colorful sprinkles and small candy pieces, giving it a fun and playful look. The ice cream is creamy with a smooth texture and tiny bits of crunchy toppings scattered throughout. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and in the background, there are more similar bowls with pink ice cream and blurred blue circular shapes. The photo has a bright, cheerful feel with the ice cream as the main focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this ice cream without an ice cream maker?

Yes! This recipe is designed as a no-churn ice cream, so no ice cream maker is needed. The whipped cream provides the necessary airiness, and freezing creates the creamy texture.

What type of circus animal cookies work best?

Any classic circus animal cookies with the colorful pink animal variety are ideal for this recipe. They add both flavor and the signature pastel color to the ice cream swirl.