Carrot Cake Ice Cream with Cream Cheese Frosting Swirls
ShareCreamy homemade carrot cake ice cream with cream cheese frosting swirls throughout. Your favorite Springtime cake, reinvented into a flavorful frozen treat!
I was watching a squirrel on a very high branch the other day. Normally I don’t pay much attention to them unless they’re hanging from the bird feeder eating the seeds. But for some reason, this moment made me suddenly wonder if squirrels, or even birds, are ever scared of heights. I know I certainly wouldn’t want to ever have to jump from branch to branch. Maybe they enjoy it though. I suppose it’s one of those things we may never really know. But, it’d be pretty awful to be one of those animals and not enjoy doing their traditional activities.
Of course, this leads to me wondering which animals would be fun to do the whole ‘day in the life of’ things. Do you have a favorite that you’d pick? I can’t say I’d ever like to experience life as a squirrel. But, I’ve always loved watching birds, particularly hawks and other larger birds. It looks fun to swoop, glide and dive around. They look so free and powerful, yet totally majestic.
I know, totally random and kind of odd. But, it’s just something that came to mind! I suppose it’s better than discussing… or not discussing (because no spoilers!) House of Cards. Or is it? I’m only a few episodes into the latest season. So, don’t spill anything if you’re further in than me! I definitely plan on powering through it this week during my workouts though! I’ve been impatiently awaiting it’s return. Just like Game of Thrones… so soon but still so far away! Who else is excited?
I’m clearly obsessed with all things carrot cake flavored. And this is no exception.
There isn’t a sprinkle of flour or cake mix in sight, but this totally tastes like carrot cake! And to keep with the whole cake flavor and theme, I drizzled in cream cheese frosting! It’s truly carrot cake in ice cream form!
Super creamy homemade carrot cake ice cream with a sweet cream cheese frosting swirl throughout. Truly mouth watering.
If you’re a fan of carrot cake, then you absolutely have to add this ice cream to your Spring plans. This is guaranteed to be a hit with all of your friends and family, so be sure to grab an extra scoop before it disappears!
Carrot Cake Ice Cream with Cream Cheese Frosting Swirl
Ingredients
Ice cream:
- 1 1/2 C whole milk
- 1 1/2 C heavy cream
- 1/2 C finely shredded carrots
- 1/4 C granulated sugar
- 2/3 C light brown sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 5 egg yolks
Frosting:
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 Tb unsalted butter
- 1/2 C powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tb heavy cream
Instructions
- Add finely shredded carrots and whole milk to a blender. Process until completely smooth.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream and vanilla into a large bowl, with a mesh strainer set on top. Set aside.
- Add contents of blender, remaining 1/2 cup heavy cream, sugar, cinnamon and salt to a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
- In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks.
- When milk mixture begins to steam, remove 1 cup warm liquid and slowly drizzle into egg yolks while whisking continuously. Pour mixture back into small saucepan and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
- Pour hot liquid through the mesh strainer into reserved heavy cream. Stir to combine. Cool over an ice bath to room temperature. Cover and chill thoroughly.
- Churn ice cream according to manufacturer's directions.
- Meanwhile, prepare frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in vanilla and powdered sugar, followed by heavy cream. Transfer mixture to a piping bag or plastic storage bag with the end snipped off.
- Transfer ice cream to a freezer safe container, adding streaks of frosting throughout. Freeze until firm, 4-6 hours or overnight.
Notes
Items used in this recipe:
This post contains affiliate links.
Oh, I’m carrot cake obsessed so this ice cream looks so amazing and dangerous! I really hope I get to try it! & as far as being an animal for a day – maybe I’d pick a bird too, but flying would be scary!
Thanks so much Megan! I agree, a bird could be scary but it could be a whole lot of fun too!
This recipe is so genius I can barely stand it. I am in love and can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Kellie!
Haha! I’ve never thought about those animals that might be scared of heights when all they do is fly and jump from tree to tree – and now I cannot stop contemplating it – thanks Rachel! :)
On a serious note though – wow – I’m loving everything about this ice cream – and wow that drizzled cream cheese frosting! Where’s my spoon!?
Haha! And thanks so much Shashi!! :)
Gorgeous ice cream Rachel! Love the idea of creamy carrot cake ice cream!!! Yum. Don’t know what I’d pick as an animal, I’ll have to think about it….
Thanks Allie!
I love that I’m not the only one that has random thought about animals. I just saw a squirrel out my kitchen window last week holding on to the tip of a thin aspen branch and all I could think about was how is he not falling and what was so interesting that made him climb all the way up to the top. Anyways, this ice cream looks magical and I wouldn’t need a bowl, I’d just eat it straight out of the ice cream machine!
Haha well I’m glad to know I’m not alone too! :) And thanks so much Danae!
If there is a table of cakes I go for carrot every time! And in ice-cream form!? My dad is obsessed with both this will be something I’ll have to try making for him he is going to love it! Thanks for sharing :-)
I hope you both enjoy it! :)
Your guess is as good as mine, do squirrels suffer from vertigo? That would be an interesting ansert.. My guess is no.. but who knows :-)
Then, this ice cream… GENIUS! Carrot Cake!!!! I love it!
You’re probably right, but who knows! And thanks Johlene!
Girl you make some of the best ice-Cream! I can’t wait for summer to come so I can see what other ice-cream creations you will come up with!! :)
Thanks so much Layla!
Who would imagine: carrots in ice cream?! I love everything carrot cake flavored, too. This recipe is divine! I’m in love!
Thanks Patricia! :)
I’m terrible with heights – I would make a terrible squirrel!! haha But I would make an excellent ice cream eater!
Hahaha well I’m glad you never have to be one then ;)
I love love love this recipe!! I love carrot cake, I love ice cream, together = bliss.
Thanks so much!
Well, I am DYING to test this as soon as I get some cream (not that common in Brazil). If you are carrot crazy like I am, I’ll send you one of the most easy and popular cake recipes here a blender/processor carrot cake with chocolate sauce.
Loving the blog!
I hope you’re able to try it soon. It’s definitely a favorite for anyone who loves carrot cake treats! :)
Carrots in ice cream . . . who knew? I made it the other day and this is really delicious! I threw in some walnuts, because that’s what we put in our carrot cake. Adds a nice crunch. Delicious!
So glad you enjoyed it, Julie! Love your addition of walnuts. :)
Am I missing something? When does the cinnamon get added?
It can be added to the saucepan along with the sugar.