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Circus Animal Cookies Ice Cream Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 136 reviews

This Circus Animal Cookies Ice Cream is a vibrant and fun no-churn dessert that combines the nostalgic crunch of chopped circus animal cookies with the creamy richness of homemade ice cream. Layers of pastel pink and white ice cream are swirled together with sprinkles and cookie bits for a playful treat perfect for parties or anytime you crave a whimsical frozen dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies

  • 30–40 circus animal cookies, chopped (about 1 ¼ cups chopped total)
  • Additional whole cookies and crushed cookie crumbs for garnish

Ice Cream Base

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 14 oz (1 can) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla paste or vanilla extract
  • Pink food coloring, several drops
  • Nonpareil sprinkles, for layering and garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the freeze container: Select a bowl or container that can hold at least 6 cups of liquid. Place it in the freezer to chill thoroughly before adding your ice cream mixture.
  2. Chop the cookies: Place the circus animal cookies on a cutting board and roughly chop them. Set aside about a half cup of chopped cookies for the mixture and keep some whole cookies for garnishing later.
  3. Mix condensed milk and vanilla: In a large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla paste or extract, and the chopped cookies. Stir gently to evenly distribute the cookie pieces.
  4. Whip the cream: In a separate large bowl, whip the heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. This ensures a light, airy texture for your ice cream.
  5. Fold cream into condensed milk mixture: Add about one cup of the whipped cream to the condensed milk mixture and fold in gently to lighten the mixture. Then fold in the remaining whipped cream carefully to maintain the fluffy texture.
  6. Divide and color the mixture: Transfer half of the combined ice cream base back into the original bowl. To this half, add several drops of pink food coloring, mixing gently until you achieve a pretty pastel pink shade that resembles the color of the pink animal cookies.
  7. Layer the ice cream: Remove the chilled container from the freezer. Spoon a layer of the white ice cream mixture into the container, sprinkle some nonpareil sprinkles and additional cookie chunks as desired. Add a layer of the pink ice cream mixture on top, followed by more sprinkles. Continue alternating layers of white and pink ice cream, adding sprinkles between layers until all the mixture is used.
  8. Create a swirl pattern: Run a knife through the layered ice cream a few times to create a swirl effect. Avoid over-mixing to prevent the colors from blending excessively and keep the sprinkles intact.
  9. Garnish and freeze: Top the final layer with extra nonpareil sprinkles, crushed cookie crumbs, and some whole cookies for decoration.
  10. Freeze to set: Place the container back in the freezer and freeze for 4 to 6 hours or until the ice cream is firm enough to scoop.
  11. Serve and enjoy: Scoop the ice cream into cute bowls and serve immediately for a colorful, delicious treat.

Notes

  • For best results, use a chilled bowl and utensils to whip the cream.
  • You can substitute vanilla paste with high-quality vanilla extract.
  • If you prefer a more intense pink color, add food coloring gradually to avoid overpowering the flavor.
  • Make sure to fold the whipped cream gently to keep the ice cream light and airy.
  • Do not refreeze partially melted ice cream for best texture and consistency.
  • This recipe is a no-churn ice cream, so no ice cream maker is needed.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one week.

Keywords: circus animal cookies ice cream, no churn ice cream, homemade ice cream dessert, fun ice cream recipe, layered ice cream, pink ice cream, cookie ice cream

Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/circus-animal-cookies-ice-cream-recipe/