Nothing says holiday like something cold after a big meal, and this list has 25 ways to serve it.
You’ll find Christmas ice cream desserts like peppermint ice cream cakes, yule logs, and frozen puddings, plus make-ahead flavors like eggnog, gingerbread, and candy cane.
Many of these Christmas recipes are no-churn, so you don’t need an ice cream maker, and plenty are easy enough to make with the kids. There are also a few boozy scoops for the grown-ups.
Scroll through, pick your favorites, and get ready to scoop, share, and top everything with festive sprinkles, hot fudge, or crushed candy canes.
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Christmas Ice Cream Flavors
Peppermint gets all the attention, but there’s a whole lineup of cozy holiday flavors worth scooping:
Peppermint bark: cool mint with chocolate and candy cane crunch
Eggnog: creamy and nutmeg-spiced, like a frozen holiday drink
Gingerbread: warm molasses and ginger with cookie chunks
Cranberry swirl: tart ribbons through sweet cream
Hot chocolate: rich cocoa with marshmallow
Sugar cookie: vanilla with frosted cookie pieces and sprinkles
Cinnamon spice and caramel apple: cozy, spiced and sweet
Festive Toppings for Ice Cream Sundaes
A few simple toppings turn any scoop into a holiday sundae:
Maraschino cherries
Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
Crushed gingerbread cookies for a spiced, crunchy topping
Peppermint, eggnog, gingerbread, cranberry swirl, and sugar cookie are the most popular holiday flavors. Peppermint bark and candy cane bring cool, minty crunch, while eggnog and gingerbread add warm spice. Cranberry swirl gives a tart contrast, and sugar cookie is a sweet, kid-friendly pick loaded with sprinkles.
What can I make with ice cream for a holiday dessert?
Ice cream goes far beyond the scoop. Layer it into ice cream cakes and pies, sandwich it between sugar cookies, or shape it into a chocolate bombe or frozen Christmas pudding. You can also build a sundae bar with hot fudge, crushed candy canes, and sprinkles so everyone can top their own.
Can ice cream desserts be made ahead?
Yes, and that’s what makes them so good for the holidays. Wrap ice cream cakes, pies, and bombes tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze them. Allow at least 6 hours to set, though making them a few days ahead works too. Add whipped cream and toppings right before serving.
Do I need an ice cream maker?
No. No-churn ice cream uses just whipped heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk, folded together with your flavor of choice and frozen until firm. It’s creamy, scoopable, and needs no special equipment, which makes it a great option for beginners and for making flavors like peppermint or eggnog ahead of time.
More Holiday Desserts to Try
If you’re excited about Christmas desserts, you’ll love exploring these festive treats too! If you love ice cream, don’t miss our No Churn Ice Cream Recipes that are perfect for making your own frozen creations without an ice cream maker. For even more simple delights, try Christmas No-Bake Desserts that are as fun to make as they are to eat.
Layers of cool peppermint ice cream and cookie crumbs come together in a pretty pink cake finished with chocolate drizzle and crushed candy canes. It’s a showstopper for the dessert table, and you can make it ahead so there’s nothing to do on the day. It takes freezer time, but the work itself is simple layering.
Creamy, minty, and packed with crunchy candy cane bits and chocolate swirls, this tastes like peppermint bark in scoop form. It brings a favorite holiday candy flavor to the table in frozen form. No ice cream maker is needed, so it’s easy to mix and freeze.
Sweet, creamy, and nutty, this has the flavor of classic Italian nougat candy. It’s a fun nod to a holiday tradition and a great conversation starter when you serve it. It’s no churn, so you can skip the machine.
Coquito Frozen Custard (Coconut and Rum Ice Cream)
Rich coconut, rum, and warm spices turn the Puerto Rican holiday drink into a creamy frozen dessert. It’s a festive pick for adult gatherings when you want something different from the usual peppermint. The custard base takes a bit more time than a no-churn recipe, so save it for when you want to make something special.
This ice cream Christmas pudding gives the classic dessert a fun, frozen upgrade! Packed with fruit, nuts, and holiday spices, it’s the perfect make-ahead treat.
A dome of layered ice cream wrapped in a thick chocolate shell, with chocolate candies on top. It’s rich and decadent, and it looks like a centerpiece on the table. Like the other frozen puddings, it can be made ahead, so it’s less stressful than it looks.
Swirls of mint ice cream and chocolate fudge are rolled into a frozen yule log with festive color in every slice. It’s a fun cold twist on a traditional holiday dessert. Make it ahead and freeze, so slicing is the only thing left to do.
Soft sugar cookies hold creamy peppermint ice cream, then get rolled in sprinkles or crushed candy canes. They’re perfect for parties because everyone gets their own, with no slicing or plating. Easy to assemble and a hit with kids.
Ultra-creamy, deeply chocolatey, and just boozy enough to feel like a treat. It’s a grown-up dessert for cozy holiday nights once the kids are in bed. Plan ahead, since homemade ice cream needs time to chill and freeze.
Bright green, minty-sweet, and full of candy pieces, this one tastes like white chocolate and mint with a fun crunch. It’s a great pick for holiday movie nights and kids’ parties. No churn means no machine and very little effort.
Cool, creamy scoops with crushed peppermint in every bite, in a pretty pink and white swirl. It’s a classic holiday flavor that also works as a topping for pies, brownies, and hot cocoa. It’s simple enough for a first-timer.
Cool mint ice cream sits under a layer of rich chocolate ganache for a dreamy mint-chocolate pairing. A pie slices neatly for a crowd and can be made ahead. It’s easy to make and gorgeous on a holiday table.
Layers of chocolate and peppermint ice cream are topped with chocolate sauce and crushed peppermints. It gives you a festive cake without turning on the oven, which is welcome during a busy baking season. As the title says, it’s easy.
Super creamy, with bold chocolate flavor from simple ingredients. It’s a perfect base to dress up for the holidays with crushed candy canes, peppermint, or gingerbread crumbles. No ice cream maker needed.
Deep dark chocolate meets warm gingerbread spices for a cozy, slightly sophisticated flavor. It’s a nice change from the usual mint if you want something that tastes like the holidays without the candy cane. Plan ahead, since homemade ice cream needs time to freeze.
Creamy and sweet with a festive pop of red and green sprinkles, served here with a sugar cookie tree on top. It’s a classic, crowd-friendly scoop that looks right at home on a dessert table. It’s made from scratch, so allow time to chill and freeze.
Creamy vanilla with ribbons of cinnamon sugar gives you a warm-meets-cold flavor. It’s lovely next to warm apple pie or gingerbread. If you have an ice cream maker, it’s a straightforward make.
Smooth, creamy, and loaded with Oreo chunks. It’s an easy way to please a crowd, and you can dress it up for the holidays with crushed candy canes on top. A simple homemade recipe.
Sweet, buttery praline pieces and crunchy pecans run through every scoop for a southern-style flavor. It’s a cozy, nutty option if your holiday table leans traditional. Homemade, so plan some time to chill and freeze.
It tastes just like a frozen slice of pumpkin pie, creamy and spiced. It carries fall’s favorite flavor into December, and it’s lovely with gingerbread cookies. No churn means no machine.
A retro, colorful dessert that’s light and nostalgic. It’s fun for kids and adults at any holiday table, and it’s a nice change from heavier sweets. Simple to put together.
Layers of rich chocolate ice cream and ganache make a dramatic, dome-shaped centerpiece. It’s a showstopping dessert for a big holiday meal, and it can be made ahead. It’s more of a project than the scoops, but the impressive finish is worth it.
Ice cream and cake are wrapped in toasted meringue peaks for an elegant, dramatic dessert. It’s the one that gets the “wow” when it hits the table. This is the project recipe on the list, so save it for when you want to show off.
Reesa Lewandowski is the creator of Momma Lew, a New Jersey-based food blog where she shares easy, family-friendly recipes inspired by everyday life. A mom of two teenagers and a self-taught cook and baker, Reesa has spent over a decade developing simple, approachable meals—from quick weeknight dinners to festive desserts—all tested in her own kitchen. Her recipes focus on comfort food with a modern twist, seasonal favorites, and stress-free baking. Drawing inspiration from her Jersey roots, Reesa’s goal is to help busy families enjoy delicious meals without the fuss.
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