Blue Moon Ice Cream Recipe
If you’ve ever wandered through the Midwest in summer or felt that electric thrill from the iconic blue swirl at an ice cream shop, you know there’s just something magical about Blue Moon Ice Cream. This dazzling scoop is a creamy, citrusy, sweet-blue concoction with a hint of mystery that keeps everyone guessing (is it vanilla? is it berry? why is it blue?!). Today, I’ll show you how to capture that childhood wonder right at home, so every bowl feels like a trip down memory lane!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Blue Moon Ice Cream is surprisingly simple. With just a handful of thoughtfully chosen ingredients, you’ll whip up a treat that’s as dreamy in flavor as it is in color. Each ingredient plays a key part in building that craveable texture and famous flavor profile.
- Milk: The creamy base for your Blue Moon Ice Cream, lending it that classic smoothness.
- Heavy cream: Adds rich, luscious body and helps the ice cream churn into a delightfully scoopable treat.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: The secret weapon for ultra-silky texture and subtle sweetness—plus it thickens the base perfectly.
- Raspberry extract: Just a hint provides that mysterious fruity note that sets Blue Moon Ice Cream apart.
- Lemon extract: Lifts the flavors with a bright, citrusy zing that tastes like summer sunshine.
- Blue food coloring: Go for 15 drops to get that enchanting blue hue everyone recognizes at first glance.
How to Make Blue Moon Ice Cream
Step 1: Mix Your Creamy Base
Combine your milk, heavy cream, instant vanilla pudding mix, raspberry extract, lemon extract, and blue food coloring in a pint container. Make sure to whisk everything vigorously—this helps dissolve the pudding and evenly distribute the color and flavors. The base should take on a brilliant blue shade. Cover the pint tightly and pop it in the freezer for a full 24 hours. Trust me, patience here delivers the best creamy consistency!
Step 2: Spin It to Perfection
Place your frozen pint in your Ninja Creami machine and select the “Ice Cream” function. The machine will work its magic, transforming that bright blue base into a luscious, scoopable treat. Don’t rush this step—the mixing ensures everything aerates beautifully.
Step 3: Adjust for Creaminess
After the first spin, check the texture. If you find it a tad chalky or icy instead of outrageously creamy, make a small well in the center of the ice cream. Add a tablespoon of milk or water, then use the “re-spin” function. Repeat as needed until you hit that dreamy, silky-smooth texture reminiscent of your favorite shop-bought Blue Moon Ice Cream.
Step 4: Add Your Favorite Toppings
Now comes the fun: sprinkle the top with Fruity Pebbles, rainbow sprinkles, or cherries (or all three!). This step makes the treat even more playful and delicious, adding a pop of color and a sweet crunch to every bite.
How to Serve Blue Moon Ice Cream
Garnishes
The best part of Blue Moon Ice Cream (aside from the color) is how adaptable it is to cheerful, nostalgic toppings. Fruity Pebbles, brightly colored sprinkles, whipped cream, or maraschino cherries all make sensational finishes. Each bite becomes a celebration of flavor and a feast for the eyes!
Side Dishes
This whimsical scoop pairs beautifully with classic summer treats: serve alongside a warm slice of pound cake, a crisp sugar cone, or a sprinkle-covered waffle bowl. For the ultimate ice cream social, arrange fresh berries and mini cookies on the side for extra fun.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling adventurous? Layer Blue Moon Ice Cream in homemade ice cream sandwiches between colorful sugar cookies, or make a whimsical ice cream float by adding a scoop to lemon-lime soda. Swirl it with whipped cream in mason jars for eye-catching parfaits. No matter how you present it, you’ll have a dessert everyone is eager to try.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If (and that’s a big if!) you find yourself with leftover Blue Moon Ice Cream, simply transfer it back into an airtight container and freeze. The high cream content helps it stay scoopable and prevents the ice cream from turning icy. Remember to press parchment or wax paper onto the surface to stave off freezer burn.
Freezing
This recipe is wonderfully freezer-friendly. Blue Moon Ice Cream will keep its dreamy texture and bold blue color for up to two weeks if tightly sealed. Make a couple of batches and store them for last-minute cravings or impromptu celebrations!
Reheating
No one wants to microwave their magic blue ice cream! If your batch gets rock-hard, just let the container sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. The ice cream will soften just enough for perfectly creamy scooping—no special reheating required.
FAQs
What flavor is Blue Moon Ice Cream?
Blue Moon Ice Cream is a playful blend of vanilla, raspberry, and lemon with a sweet, citrusy edge. Its signature taste is mysterious and nostalgic, evoking everything from marshmallows to fruity cereal milk, depending on your childhood memories!
Can I make this recipe without a Ninja Creami?
Yes! While the Ninja Creami gives you ultra-silky results, you can still prepare the base as described and freeze it in a standard ice cream maker, or stir the base by hand every hour until set for a no-churn version. It won’t be exactly the same, but it’ll still be delightfully delicious.
Why is the ice cream blue?
The blue color comes from food coloring, creating that unmistakable, whimsical look that makes Blue Moon Ice Cream so iconic. The fun factor is just as important as the taste with this one!
What kind of milk works best?
Whole milk gives the richest, creamiest result, but you can use 2% if you want a slightly lighter version. Avoid fat-free and non-dairy substitutes unless you’re comfortable tweaking the texture further with stabilizers or other additions.
Can I customize the flavors?
Absolutely! The raspberry and lemon extracts create that classic Blue Moon Ice Cream intrigue, but you can experiment with nut, almond, or even a few drops of cherry extract for your unique twist. Just keep tasting and spinning until it matches your dream flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a scoop of pure nostalgia, give this Blue Moon Ice Cream recipe a whirl. With its sunshiny citrus kick, berry undertones, and that shimmering blue coolness, there’s nothing else quite like it. Gather your favorite toppings and let your kitchen become the happiest ice cream shop on the block!
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Blue Moon Ice Cream Recipe
- Total Time: 24 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: About 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make a delicious and vibrant Blue Moon Ice Cream at home with this easy recipe. This whimsical treat is perfect for summer days or when you’re craving something fun and colorful.
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base:
- 1½ cups milk
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 teaspoon raspberry extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon extract
- 15 drops blue food coloring
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a pint container, mix milk, vanilla pudding mix, heavy cream, raspberry extract, lemon extract, and blue food coloring. Whisk until well combined. Cover and freeze for 24 hours.
- Churn Ice Cream: Use a Ninja Creami machine on the ‘Ice Cream’ setting.
- Adjust Texture: Check the ice cream’s texture; if needed, add water or milk to the center, then use the ‘re-spin’ function. Repeat until creamy.
- Serve: Top with sprinkles, Fruity Pebbles cereal, or cherries before enjoying.
Notes
- You can customize this ice cream by adding your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips or cookie crumbles.
- Experiment with different extracts to create unique flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing, Churning
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Blue Moon Ice Cream, Homemade Ice Cream, Dessert Recipe
