This Ice Cream Maker is the Smallest We’ve Tried!

I love ice cream. I know, I know. It’s a controversial and brave opinion. But when I say “I love ice cream,” what I really mean is “if there’s no ice cream in my freezer at any and all times, that must be rectified immediately.” In my humble opinion, it’s the ideal sweet treat. The creamy consistency complements other desserts, and there are nearly endless varieties. Most importantly, it’s mobile if you put it in a cone or a cup.

That’s why I’ve made it my unofficial mission to test every ice cream maker I can get my hands on. When I first learned of the Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker, I initially scoffed. There’s no way this inexpensive option can concoct creamy desserts that taste like those from the impressive Nutribullet Chill.

But oh, how wrong I was. Not only is the Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker my new go-to treat machine, but its simplicity completely changes the way I enjoy my favorite dessert. Buckle in, ice cream fanatics. You’re about to embark on a journey that will change the way you make your favorite frosty treat.

On Sale

I'm Obsessed

Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker

This spin-and-go ice cream maker isn't like the others we've tried!

39.9920% OFF$31.99 at Kohl's

Shop on Walmart

$23.97 at Nordstrom Rack

44.9916% OFF$37.99 at Amazon

My Ice Cream Conundrum

Most of the ice cream makers I’m partial to are what I call “spin and go” machines. Think of gadgets like the iconic Ninja Creami, which turns a pre-frozen base into a swirly, smooth dessert. After all, preparing flavors that can sit in my freezer waiting for a craving to hit feels like playing 3-D chess. I’m always one step ahead of my desire for a dreamy dairy concoction.

But there’s a slight problem that always sits in the back of my brain. What if the frozen bases I keep in my freezer aren’t what I’m craving in the moment? Given that these pre-frozen bases require over 24 hours to fully solidify, it’s simply not possible to whip up a new flavor on the fly. That’s where the Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker really shines.

What is the Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker?

Unlike traditional ice cream makers, the Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker doesn’t have a bounty of fancy buttons or require a permanent spot on your counter. Instead, it comes in a simple, easy-to-store setup comprising of an oversized mug, a plastic paddle and a screw-on top with a single button. The top plugs into a standard outlet and functions as its motor, while the mug itself is what chills the dessert.

Inside the walls of the mug is a sloshy liquid. Because the interior of the mug is made from stainless steel, popping the mug into the freezer for at least 24 hours creates a nice, chilly environment for your ice cream mix to freeze. Then, all you have to do is whip up your base, pop the mixing paddle into the lid, then snap the lid into place and press the singular button on top.

Once the motor starts rotating the paddle, pour the base into the chute on the lid and watch as it creamifies your dessert. It only takes around 20 minutes to reach a perfect soft serve consistency. Mix-ins can go right into the chute—the paddle swirls them in, distributing everything evenly. Once the ice cream is the desired texture, just remove the motor from the cup to enjoy it right from the mug. For a harder texture, just pop the mug into the freezer for 30-60 minutes. Voila!

Why I’m Obsessed With It

For the Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker, there’s no need to freeze the ice cream base—that means no waiting overnight for my dessert. I have my Dash mug sitting in the freezer permanently. When cravings hit, I just grab my desired ingredients from my fridge and pantry—milk, cream, sugar, vanilla and whatever flavorings I’m feeling—and create a liquid base. Because the base is usually already cold from my fridge, I can have a mug of ice cream in a matter of 20 minutes.

The mug is a perfect single-serving size at around a half-pint, so I’m never making more ice cream than I can eat at any given time. It’s also incredibly compact, since all I’m storing are the small motor and paddle attachment. Not even my beloved Cuisinart FastFreeze takes up such little room in a cupboard.

Bonus: the ice cream maker comes with a small pamphlet of recipes to get you started!

Is it the same as other spin-and-go machines?

Listen—I’m about as close as you can get to a spin-and-go expert by this point. After testing the Nutribullet Chill, Cuisinart FastFreeze and Ninja Creami, I’m pretty certain I have a good grasp on what goes into a good ice cream maker. The Dash My Mug, in its simplicity, is just about as close to perfect as you can get.

Unlike other spin-and-go machines, there’s no sharp blades whatsoever. Because of this, I’m comfortable letting my niece and nephew make their own ice cream with minimal supervision. And when I’m done indulging, I just let the mug defrost on the counter, clean it with soap and water, dry it off, and pop it back into the freezer for my next craving.

There’s no scrubbing, no nooks or crannies for ice cream to seep into. Just simple, fuss-free desserts in under an hour. And that, to me, is a beautiful thing. Oh, and did I mention the lack of a horrible, grating, drilling sound? That’s also a nice bonus.

Where to Buy

On Sale

I'm Obsessed

Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker

Ice cream in under 30 minutes? You've got it!

39.9920% OFF$31.99 at Kohl's

Shop on Walmart

$23.97 at Nordstrom Rack

44.9916% OFF$37.99 at Amazon

Folks craving zero-fuss ice cream can snag the Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker for around $40. It’s available at several major retailers including Walmart, Nordstrom Rack and Amazon. Whatever you do, don’t let the size or simplicity fool you—it’s just as effective as the bigger, bulkier options, but at half the price and a third of the size!