Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream Extravaganza

The Sweetest Summer Memory: Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream Extravaganza

Do you have a dessert that instantly sweeps you back to childhood summers? For me, it’s this Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream Extravaganza. Just the mention of this homemade ice cream makes me feel like I’m sitting out on the back porch again, giggling with my siblings, as dribbles of sweet, melty ice cream raced down our hands faster than we could lick them up. There’s something magical about creating your own creamy masterpiece studded with chunks of cookie dough, Snickers, and Reese’s peanut butter cups.

If you’re searching for the ice cream recipe to get everyone in your family buzzing with excitement, you’ve just found it. Whether it’s a sunny weekend, a celebration, or a much-needed treat after a long day, this Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream brings pure joy (and a little nostalgia) with every spoonful.

Why You’ll Adore This Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream Extravaganza

Honestly, there are so many reasons to fall in love with this decadent treat, but here’s why it’s a staple in our home:

• Epic flavor combo: Creamy vanilla ice cream, rich cookie dough chunks, gooey Snickers pieces, and those dreamy swirls of peanut butter and Reese’s peanut butter cups? It’s a candy lover’s dream come true.
• Perfect for sharing: This ice cream is guaranteed to impress at birthday parties, family BBQs, or just a laid-back movie night (trust me, everyone will go back for seconds).
• Easy, at-home magic: You don’t need fancy ingredients or years of experience. Just a few simple steps, an ice cream maker, and a spirit of adventure!
• Endless fun: Each bite is like a little treasure hunt—will you get cookie dough, gooey chocolate, or a pop of peanut butter next?

Ingredients You’ll Need for Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream Extravaganza

Let’s break down the ingredients for this homemade ice cream (and I’ll sprinkle in my favorite tips!):

• Heavy cream (2 cups) – Go full-fat for that signature creaminess you get from classic ice cream parlors.
• Whole milk (1 cup) – Adds richness. Don’t skimp with skim milk—the texture matters!
• Granulated sugar (3/4 cup) – Sweetens things up just right.
• Vanilla extract (1 tsp) – Use pure vanilla if you can; the flavor shines through.
• Peanut butter (2 tbsp, optional) – For you PB fans out there, don’t hesitate. Melt it slightly for easy mixing.
• Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened) – The base of our edible cookie dough. That buttery goodness can’t be beat!
• Brown sugar (1/2 cup) & granulated sugar (1/4 cup) – The brown sugar gives the dough that caramel-y, ‘classic cookie’ flavor.
• Heat-treated all-purpose flour (1 cup) – Make sure to microwave or bake it first for food safety (edible cookie dough is a must!).
• Salt (1/2 tsp) – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
• Mini chocolate chips (1/2 cup for dough, 1/4 cup extra if desired) – Because you can never have too much chocolate.
• Snickers bars (2, chopped) – I like them slightly chilled before chopping—less sticky!
• Reese’s peanut butter cups (2, chopped) – These add incredible texture and that craveable peanut butter-chocolate combo.

You’ll find most of these at your usual grocery stop—nothing fancy, just the essentials for dessert happiness!

Step-by-Step Guide: Making the Perfect Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream Extravaganza

Let’s walk through it together—it’s easier (and more fun) than you might expect.

1. Make the ice cream base:
   In a large bowl, whisk together heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. If you’re going all-in on peanut butter goodness, warm it for a few seconds and whisk it in, too. Pour your mixture into your ice cream maker and churn till it thickens (usually about 20–25 minutes). It’ll look like soft-serve at this point—don’t worry, more magic is on the way.

2. Prepare edible cookie dough:
   Cream softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until it’s fluffy. Stir in vanilla. Gradually add in your heat-treated flour and salt; you’ll see a dough start to form. Gently fold in your mini chocolate chips. Roll into small, bite-size “treasure” pieces. (I always sneak a few before mixing—chef’s treat!)

3. Assemble your masterpiece:
   When your ice cream reaches that creamy soft-serve stage, gently fold in chopped Snickers, chopped Reese’s, your cookie dough bites, and extra mini chocolate chips if you’re feeling wild. Mix just enough so every scoop will get a bit of everything.

4. Freeze:
   Transfer to an airtight container, cover, and pop it in the freezer for 4–6 hours (or overnight—I know, the wait is tough!). This is when it firms up to that perfect scooping texture.

5. Serve and enjoy:
   Grab cones, bowls, or even fancy coupes, and dig in! The creamy base, chewy cookie dough, and those candy chunks are pure joy in every bite.

My Secret Tips and Tricks for Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream Success

I’m always tinkering with homemade ice cream recipes, so here are my best tricks for getting this Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream just right:

• Chill your mix-ins first. Cold candy bars and cookie dough help prevent melting or smearing chocolate all throughout your soft ice cream base (especially helpful on summer days).
• Don’t over-mix. When you fold in your candies and cookie dough, don’t stir too much! We want big, decadent chunks.
• Patience pays off. Letting the ice cream freeze completely (even overnight) makes a huge difference in flavor and texture—trust me.
• Heat-treat the flour. For truly safe edible cookie dough, pop the flour in the microwave for about 1 minute, or bake at 350°F for 5 minutes and let cool. No one needs to worry about raw flour.
• Try a silicone spatula. It’s my go-to for mixing everything gently and scraping every delicious bit from the bowl!

The result? The creamiest, most indulgent homemade Snickers ice cream you can imagine.

Creative Variations and Ingredient Swaps

Love to mix things up or need to accommodate dietary preferences? Here’s how you can make this ice cream recipe your own:

• Go nutty: Swap Snickers with Milky Way, Twix, or even chopped up Butterfinger bars.
• Chocolate lover’s dream: Toss in some fudge swirls or use chocolate ice cream as your base.
• Peanut allergy? Use all chocolate mix-ins or try sunflower butter cups instead of Reese’s.
• Gluten-free: Substitute your cookie dough flour for a gluten-free blend (and double-check candy bar ingredients).
• Vegan-friendly: Use coconut cream and oat milk as your ice cream base, plus vegan butter for the cookie dough, and dairy-free chocolate candies.

Don’t be afraid to raid your candy stash—everything from M&M’s to marshmallows makes this a fun freezer surprise.

How to Serve and Store Your Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream

When it’s time to scoop, let the container sit on the counter for about 5 minutes—this homemade Snickers ice cream softens beautifully and becomes easier to scoop (no chipping away with a spoon!).

I love to serve it in classic cones or retro sundae glasses, but it’s also amazing between two warm cookies for an epic ice cream sandwich.

Storing leftover ice cream:
Pop any leftovers back into an airtight container and press a piece of parchment directly onto the surface to prevent freezer burn (you’ll thank me later). It should keep happily for up to two weeks—but ours honestly never lasts that long!

FAQs: Your Top Questions About Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream Extravaganza Answered

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

Absolutely! While an ice cream maker does create that ultra-smooth, creamy texture, you can use the “no-churn” method: Whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, fold in the other base ingredients, then freeze as directed with your toppings and cookie dough.

Is edible cookie dough really safe to eat?

Yes—as long as you heat-treat the flour! This step is super important for homemade cookie dough ice cream (and means you can snack on extra dough totally worry-free).

Can I add more candy?

Of course! That’s the spirit of this recipe. Toss in extra chopped bars, mini M&M’s, or even a swirl of caramel sauce for an even wilder treat.

Does this Snickers & Reese’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream stay soft in the freezer?

Homemade ice cream can firm up a bit, but letting it sit out for a few minutes makes scooping easy again. Adding a bit of peanut butter (or even a splash of vodka) can help keep it slightly softer, too.

How do I prevent ice crystals in my homemade ice cream?

Make sure your ice cream base is well mixed, and freeze it as quickly as possible. Using airtight containers helps lock in that creamy, dreamy texture.

Honestly, this Sn