When Can Babies Have Ice Cream: 15 Simple Recipes for Your Family!

Everyone loves ice cream and on particularly hot days, it’s even more tempting to give our children a scoop or two of their own. But when can babies have ice cream?, especially given it is a dairy product, loaded with sugar and fat?

Experts suggest we should hold off with the ice cream until after baby is at least 12 months old.

When to Let Your Baby Eat Ice Cream?

While homemade ice creams might have fewer preservatives, food coloring and other unpronounceable ingredients when compared to store bought ones, the matter is ice cream is full of fat and sugar, both of which aren’t good for a little one’s digestive system.

Also, ice cream is a dairy product, and it’s not recommended to give babies under a year old whole milk. Even though it is heat pasteurized to remove any bacteria, baby could still develop an intolerance or sensitivity to it or other ingredients.

As for homemade ice cream, there’s a good chance it hasn’t been pasteurized and could have a bacteria build-up, resulting in a dangerous infection in your baby’s digestive system, including campylobacter or salmonella infections.

Of course, this doesn’t mean a tiny taste of ice cream once in a while is a problem, as long as it’s not too much and not too often.

Introducing Ice Cream to Your Baby

Whatever you do, don’t buy homemade ice cream that you haven’t made yourself, or from street vendors. Buying from a store where it is properly refrigerated and has gone through the necessary processes like pasteurization.

With the recipes below, you can also make delicious homemade ice cream that is safe, healthy and above all, delicious for baby.

If your child is ready for ice cream, then we suggest you introduce it slowly. Make sure you give small bites at first. Too big a bite could result in an ice cream headache or what we call “brain freeze,” which isn’t only painful, it is also just unpleasant.

As much as raw milk products are good for adults, they can carry bacteria that isn’t safe for babies. The best options are little tastes of the “normal” commercial brands or your homemade ice cream. For now, steer clear of homemade raw milk ice cream.

Introducing something as wonderful as ice cream to your baby is also the perfect opportunity to introduce new foods, flavors and textures. If you are going to make your own ice cream, be sure to try out some different fruits and vegetables.

Boiled carrots, sweet potato, butternut and even creamy sweet corn taste delicious once cooked, and have a sweet taste as well as a good texture.

15 Simple Ice Cream Recipes for Your Family!

• Durian Ice Cream
• Pink Grapefruit Ice Cream
• Orange Ice Cream
• Sour Cherry Ice Cream
• Lemon Ice Cream

Chocolate Ice Cream

Everyone deserves a good recipe that yields a yummy ice cream. This recipe will guide you step by step on how to make rich and creamy chocolate without the use of eggs.

What could be a better way to welcome the New Year than with a mouthwatering chocolate ice cream? So I made some on the previous weekend, and as always, they are awesome.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (10 grams) cocoa powder
• 1 cup sweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup whole milk
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup sugar
• Pinch salt (⅛ teaspoon)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Step 2: ​After the sugar is dissolved, stop heating and add the vanilla, then stir to combine.

Step 3: Refrigerate the mix for 4-5 hours.

Step 4: Add it​ to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction. You can also add some chia seeds to make the ice cream healthier.

Step 5: Enjoy the chocolate ice cream with your baby!​

Vanilla Ice Cream

The knowledge of making vanilla ice cream will serve you well in your life. This is the secret behind that slice of birthday you ate. Another thing about this recipe is that once you master it, you will be on your way to investing new and interesting ice-cream flavors.

Ingredients:

Step 2: ​After the sugar is dissolved, stop heating and let it cool slightly.

Step 3: Refrigerate the mix for 4-5 hours.

Step 4: Add it​ to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 5: Enjoy the vanilla ice cream with your baby!​

• Vanilla ice cream is the most popular flavor (about 30%) in the United States.
• Vanilla is one of the priciest foods in the world and most expensive spice, just after saffron.

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

If you have a friend with kids visit you on the weekend, this gives you the perfect chance to make this classic batch of butter pecan ice cream.

The butter pecan is one of my favorite flavors of all time. In this recipe, the butter flavors are in the custard base. This is achieved by first throwing the butter before you can add any other ingredients.

Ingredients:

Step 2: Add the milk, sugar and salt to a medium saucepan over low heat, cook until the sugar is dissolved and do not allow to boil.

Step 3: Whisk the egg yolks in a medium bowl, add half of the milk mixture into the eggs and whisk constantly. Return the milk mixture to boil, cook until thickened.

Step 4: Put the heavy cream in a large metal mixing bowl surrounded by ice water, strain custard into the cream and stir until cooled.

Step 5: Add the vanilla extract and the butter-pecan, keep stirring for 3-5 minutes.

Step 6: Refrigerate the mix for 4-5 hours.

Step 7: Add the mix​ to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 8: Enjoy the butter pecan ice cream with your baby!​

Strawberry Ice Cream

There is just something about the homemade strawberry ice cream; it’s the taste of the sun on your shoulders, the taste if the blue skies and that utopian memory of a summer that is perfect in a culinary form.

After freezing the ice cream, you just need to make vanilla shortbread to go with; it will be not only sensational but also a life-transforming moment.

Step 2: ​Use a blender or food processor to purée the rest of strawberries until smooth.

Step 3: Place all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl to combine, you can use a stand mixer to do this.

Step 4: Refrigerate the mix for 4-5 hours.

Step 5: Add the mix​ to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 6: Enjoy the strawberry ice cream with your baby!​

Nutella Ice Cream

This is among my favorite to eat and make. Not only does it have one of the simplest ways to make the ice cream with just four steps, but also it is easy to prepare the ingredients.

You just need to mix and freeze it. Also, you can still modify the recipe by trying in different flavors to explore new experiences. Give it a try and you will love it!

Ingredients:

Step 2: Refrigerate the mix for 4-5 hours.

Step 3: Add the mix​ to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 4: Enjoy the Nutella ice cream with your baby!​

• Each year, Nutella consumes 25% of the entire world’s hazelnuts which are high in vitamin E, potassium, calcium, etc.
• According to Nutella, if you circle the world with the amount of Nutella® produced in a year, you can do it almost twice!

Mango Ice Cream

There are multiple ways in which you can make a mango ice cream. To minimize on using sugar, use the ripest mangoes and best quality that have the deepest color. This way you will obtain smooth, bright and a flavored mango ice cream.

You can also get the vibrant colors through the use of unrefined sweeteners like coconut sugar since only a little sugar is required with the sweet mangoes.

Ingredients:

Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs for 2 minutes or until pale.

Step 3: Add all the ingredients to the bowl and keep whisking for 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: Refrigerate the mix for 4-5 hours.

Step 5: Add the mix​ to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 6: Enjoy the mango ice cream with your baby!​

Green Tea Ice Cream

This is a Japanese origin homemade ice cream flavor, which is most popular in Asia and Japanese cultures. Though it has become popular in the United States, its popularity grew in the late 1970s.

Ingredients:

Step 2: Combine ½ cup of heavy cream and the matcha powder in another bowl, whisk for 2 minutes.

Step 3: Add the remaining cream, milk and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat, bring to a low boil and cook for 3 minutes or until the sugar is dissolved.

Step 4: Remove from heat, then gradually stream in the cornstarch mixture, whisk for 30 seconds then return to a boil.

Step 5: Cook over medium high heat for another minute or until the mixture is slightly thickened, then let it cool for 30 minutes.

Step 6: Refrigerate the mix for 4-5 hours.

Step 7: Add the mix​ to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 8: Enjoy the green tea ice cream with your baby!​

• Matcha is the oldest tea of Japan and can be pricey depending on quality. However, the most expensive tea is Da Hong Pao, which can cost way more than gold!
• I love green tea! It has many amazing things: high in antioxidants, weight loss, improve your memory and most of all, its flavor. My favorite matcha powder brand is Kiss Me Organic; you can click here to see the product on Amazon.

Avocado Ice Cream

If you are an avocado lover, this recipe is a perfect choice. The ice cream will not only have a nice color and texture, but it will prompt you to add it to your healthy basket food list.

The good thing about this ice cream is you can take in as much as you want without any serious worries of health issue. Give it a try today, and your life will never be the same!

Ingredients:

Step 2: Use a blender or food processor to purée the avocados, lemon juice, milk, sugar and salt.

Step 3: Add the mixture to a mixing bowl, stream in the cream and keep whisking for 2 minutes or until well-combined.

Step 4: Refrigerate the mix for 4-5 hours.

Step 5: Add the mix​ to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 6: Enjoy the avocado ice cream with your baby!​

Coconut Ice Cream

This could be the sweetest treat that you could give to a coconut lover. Have been making ice creams for a while, I have to agree that this flavor is awesome.

Thus coconut ice cream is not only simple to make but also allows one to add different flavors to the outstanding outcome. Why wait? Give this a try, and you will love it.

Step 2: Meanwhile, place the yolks, sugar and salt in a medium bowl.

Step 3: Add half the coconut mixture to the bowl, whisk vigorously for 2-3 minutes, then return all of them to the saucepan over low heat, cook until thickened.

Step 4: Put the remaining cream into a large metal mixing bowl surrounded by ice water, strain the coconut mixture into it and stir until cooled.

Step 5: Refrigerate the mix for 4-5 hours.

Step 6: Add the mix to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 7: Enjoy the coconut ice cream with your baby!​

• Your child can drink coconut milk after his/her first birthday. However, drink too much coconut milk could be dangerous for your little one!
• According to FAO, two countries in Southeast Asia (Indonesia and Philippines) produce over 65% of the world’s coconuts.

Taro Ice Cream

This is a mildly starchy and sweet tuber that is normally used for the Asian deserts. It gives a nutty flavor when used in ice creams, and its cooking will release so much starch that you won’t need to add any eggs when making the taro ice cream.

Ingredients:

Step 2: ​Put the taro root, coconut milk, whole milk, cream and sugar into a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Step 3: Reduce to very low heat, cover and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the root is completely soft, then let it cool slightly.

Step 4: Place the taro mixture into a blender or food processor, purée until very smooth, add salt to taste.

Step 5: Strain the mixture into a large bowl, refrigerate for 4-5 hours.

Step 6: Add the mix to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 7: Enjoy the taro ice cream with your baby!​

• Taro root contains lots of vitamins (A, C, B, E, etc.) and omega-3 oil, which is extremely important to your baby’s development.
• In Hawaiian culture, taro (kalo) is considered as their ancestor.

Durian Ice Cream

This ice cream is great, and if you can eat durian, you got to give it a try. The durian ice cream has its origin from China. It is simple to make, just follow the recipe outline below, the outcome will just amazing! You can use this as your desert with your family.

Ingredients:

Step 2: ​Meanwhile, whisk the yolks in a medium bowl until pale, add half of the milk mixture and whisk constantly, then return all of them to the saucepan over low heat.

Step 3: Add the durian flesh and vanilla extract, cook for 6-8 minutes or until thickened, stir occasionally, then let it cool slightly.

Step 4: Place the durian mixture into a blender or food processor, purée until very smooth, add salt to taste.

Step 5: Strain the mixture into a large bowl, refrigerate for 4-5 hours.

Step 6: Add the mix to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 7: Enjoy the durian ice cream with your baby!​

• Although durians smell so awful to many people, they have some amazing health benefits including cancer prevention. However, they also contain lots of fat; so if you are on a diet, durians are definitely not a good choice!
• In Southeast Asia, people believe durian is the king of fruit.

Pink Grapefruit Ice Cream

After tasting this, it might become your favorite ice cream. The pink grapefruit ice cream is best suited as an ending meal after a fish course with small green herbal or mint if leaves that are delightfully fresh. You will love this!

Ingredients:

Step 2: ​Combine the zest, whole milk, heavy cream and the remaining sugar in the saucepan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Put the sour cream into a large metal mixing bowl surrounded by ice water, stream in the milk mixture, keep whisking until smooth.

Step 5: Refrigerate for 4-5 hours, then remove the zest and combine with the juice, whisk 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Add the mix to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 7: Enjoy the pink grapefruit ice cream with your baby!​

Grapefruit juice is a perfect choice for people on a diet or having diabetes. However, if you plan to take medicine with grapefruit juice, think twice!

Orange Ice Cream

During those hot summer days when your body just begs for something cold, I got a solution for you. Nothing would be better than the feeling on an orange bowl of homemade ice cream.

I have a feeling that most of the people fear to make ice cream as they think that it involves a lot of work. But both the orange ice cream it is easy to make, and the outcome are worth the try.

Ingredients:

Step 2: ​Meanwhile, place the yolks in a medium bowl, add half of the hot mixture and whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes or until well-combined.

Step 3: Return all of them to the saucepan, cook over medium heat (do not allow to boil), keep stirring until thickened.

Step 4: Put the remaining cream into a large metal mixing bowl surrounded by ice water, strain the custard after thickened, whisk vigorously for 1-2 minutes, then stir occasionally for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Stir in the orange juice, refrigerate the mix for 4-5 hours.

Step 6: Remove the zest, add the mix to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 7: Enjoy the orange ice cream with your baby!​

Sour Cherry Ice Cream

“I want more, all of it!” – That’s what I could think of after having the first pinch bunch. My friend had this ice cream, and I couldn’t share since I haven’t had it before. She insisted I have a bite, and I couldn’t believe what have been missing.

Actually, we had to fight for the left piece of her ice cream. And trust me, it was worth it! The taste is unique, and the recipe is simple. The sour cherry ice cream is made with a deeper flavor to allow you to have an intake of high sugar comfortably.

Ingredients:

Step 2: Meanwhile, put the heavy cream and whole milk with the remaining sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, cook for 3 minutes or until the sugar is dissolved.

Step 3: Let it cool for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for 4-5 hours.

Step 4: Use a blender or food processor to purée the macerated cherries, remove the cherry skins.

Step 5: Add the puréed and milk mixture to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 6: Enjoy the sour cherry ice cream with your baby!​

• Your baby might be allergic to the sour cherry (or tart cherry), be careful!
• Sour cherry is one of the two main types of cherries produced in United States and Michigan has over 70% of the country’s sour cherry.

Lemon Ice Cream

For those who love lemon flavor, here is all you need to have that unique and excellent taste. This lemon ice cream is very refreshing for the summer season. With less than 30 minutes and a good sleep, you can be done and already enjoy the ice cream.

The secret, in this case, is to have lots of lots of fresh lemon juice and few small extract of lemon that will help bring the flavor out.

Ingredients:

Step 2: Add the milk, 1 cup of cream, salt and lemon mixture to a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook until simmering.

Step 3: Remove the saucepan from heat, cover and allow to steep for 1 hour, then reheat over low heat.

Step 4: Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks in a medium bowl. After reheating the milk mixture, add half to the eggs and keep whisking.

Step 5: Keep heating the milk mixture until thickened.

Step 6: Put the remaining cream and lemon extract into a large metal mixing bowl surrounded by ice water, strain lemon custard into it, remove the zest and stir until cooled.

Step 7: Refrigerate the mix for 4-5 hours.

Step 8: Add the mix​ to an ice cream maker, then freezing regarding the manufacturer’s instruction.

Step 9: Enjoy the lemon ice cream with your baby!​

Lemons are one of the most reliable ways that will help you with morning sickness during pregnancy. Do you know how to zest a lemon the right way? Gardon Ramsay has some great tips in the video below:

Does Your Baby Love Ice Cream?

When you give your child an ice cream, be prepared for a mess!

How about you? What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? If you want to share your thoughts, please post them below and I would be very happy to reply.​