Ice Cream Cupcakes

If there’s ice cream, I’m going to have a scoop or two. It’s easily one of my favorite foods, and this ice cream cupcakes recipe offers such a cute way to dish it up. They’re the perfect summer treat (OK, anytime treat), made with just a handful of ingredients. Prep is pretty simple: You don’t need a mixer, just a freezer and plenty of mouths ready to eat the cupcakes.

Unlike most ice cream cakes, there’s no cake in these treats. They start with a baked graham cracker crust that’s then topped with a vanilla ice cream center and a flavorful marshmallow creme whipped frosting. The best part is customizing them however you’d like: Dress them up with festive holiday sprinkles, your favorite dessert sauce or a fruit topping. The options are endless! Serve these ice cream cupcakes for any birthday party or celebration, or any time you need a sweet pick-me-up.

Ice Cream Cupcakes Ingredients

• Graham cracker crust: Graham cracker crumbs are combined with sugar and melted butter to make the crust for these frozen cupcakes.
• Vanilla ice cream: Let your vanilla ice cream brand of choice sit out to soften a bit before you spread it over the crust.
• Frosting: Mix sweet-and-sticky marshmallow creme with heavy whipping cream to create the dreamy frosting. For best results, use cold heavy whipping cream.
• Sprinkles: Use whatever color or flavor of sprinkles you love most.

Directions

Step 1: Make the crusts

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press the mixture gently into the bottoms of 18 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake the crusts until they’re lightly browned, five to seven minutes. Cool completely.

Step 2: Add the ice cream

Spread the softened ice cream onto the crusts. Freeze it for at least one hour or until it’s firm.

Editor’s Tip: Use the back of a spoon to help spread the frosting onto the crusts.

Step 3: Top them with frosting

Place the marshmallow creme in a large bowl. Add whipping cream and beat the two until they’re blended and stiff peaks form. Pipe or spread the frosting over the cupcakes. Decorate them with sprinkles. Serve them immediately or freeze them until they’re firm.

Ice Cream Cupcakes Variations

• Use another ice cream: Vanilla is a wonderful base, but you can use any ice cream flavor. Try mint chocolate chip, chocolate peanut butter, butter pecan or Neapolitan.
• Try a different frosting: These ice cream cupcakes can be topped with just about anything. Skip the marshmallow creme and use just homemade whipped cream. Want actual frosting? Pair them with vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
• Add fruit: Infuse these ice cream cupcakes with flavor by adding fresh fruit. Consider stirring crushed pineapple, chopped cherries or chopped berries into the softened vanilla ice cream.
• Add nuts: Instead of sprinkles, top the cupcakes with chopped walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts.
• Make s’mores ice cream cupcakes: For a campfire-inspired treat, blend softened chocolate ice cream with mini chocolate chips and add them to the graham cracker crust. Top the ice cream with the marshmallow frosting, and sprinkle the cupcakes with mini chocolate chips and extra graham cracker crumbs.

How to Store Ice Cream Cupcakes

Just like ice cream, these ice cream cupcakes melt quickly. Enjoy them right after they’ve been frosted, or store the cupcakes in an airtight container in the freezer. They’ll last up to five days.

Ice Cream Cupcakes Tips

What other types of crust can you use for ice cream cupcakes?

Make ice cream cupcakes with any type of crumb crust, including one made with Nilla wafer cookies, gingersnaps or Oreos. Instead of a crumb crust, bake a thin layer of vanilla cake in the liners, and top it with the ice cream and frosting.

How can I decorate ice cream cupcakes?

To further decorate ice cream cupcakes, use festive colored sprinkles to match the occasion. You can also top these ice cream cupcakes with hot fudge sauce or caramel sauce, or add fruit to the mix with a fruit sauce or chopped fruit.

Can I add mix-ins to ice cream cupcakes?

To customize the ice cream layer, add mix-ins like chopped cherries and nuts to the softened ice cream, then spread it on the crumb layer.