Mac and Cheese Ice Cream

Have you heard of Mac and Cheese Ice Cream? As the creamy, sweet ice cream melts in your mouth, the flavor softens and leaves you with just a hint of savory flavor. Is it for everyone? Nope. But it has been a huge win with a surprising number of people!

Several people who tasted this mac and cheese ice cream commented that it has hints of caramel or butterscotch as an aftertaste – and I agree with that. This is a truly unique ice cream and we’ve been enjoying it.

Mac and Cheese Ice Cream

This flavor was new to me when a friend mentioned it a while back – and then dared me to try it. And when someone dares me to try something, especially when related to ice cream making, I simply can’t resist giving it a shot.

I’ve made a few batches of this ice cream in order to get the flavor right and I’m happy to tell you that mac and cheese ice cream really does work!

The buttery, slightly sweet flavor of the powdered cheese that is in every box of mac and cheese makes a very subtle and surprisingly successful addition to creamy homemade ice cream.

I have had a lot of fun sharing mac and cheese ice cream with friends and seeing if anyone can guess the flavor.

And with regards to how crazy this ice cream sounds (and honestly is) I’m going to make it just a little bit crazier. I made this while Lynne was here working with me and on a whim we decided to try serving the ice cream over warm pasta.

Well… it was good. The combination was honestly so much tastier than we expected it to be, we kept going back for just one more bite after I snapped a silly photo of it.

That said, do NOT try stirring that cooked pasta into the churned ice cream and then freezing it. Trust me here when I tell you that I took one for the team when trying that combination.

Mac and cheese ice cream served over a bit of cooked pasta? That added up to tasty goodness. Mac and cheese ice cream with actual pasta noodles in the ice cream? Not my best idea, friends. Those super chewy frozen pasta rocks in the ice cream were not pleasant at all.

Cheese Ice Cream

The vanilla extract in the recipe will control the depth of flavor in this mac and cheese ice cream. Vanilla can and will become the dominant flavor depending on both how much extract is added AND how long the ice cream is stored in the freezer.

When the ice cream base is still warm off the stove and later when it is freshly churned, you’ll have a hint of the savory flavor at the end of the bite.

However, after the ice cream has been in the freezer for a while and ALSO if more vanilla is added, the flavor changes to something reminiscent of caramel and the mac and cheese flavor will be much more difficult to discern.

I’ve made this with and without vanilla and with different amounts of extract. It’s been a lot of fun to play with this recipe and see how we like it best.

Kraft Mac and Cheese Ice Cream

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

• heavy cream
• sugar
• packets of powdered cheese from boxed macaroni and cheese
• whole milk
• vanilla extract

To make the ice cream, pour the cream into a saucepan and add the sugar and salt. Warm the mixture over medium heat, just until the sugar dissolves. Add the powdered cheese and whisk to combine.

Remove from the heat and add the milk and vanilla extract. Stir to combine and chill in the refrigerator.

When ready to churn, whisk the mixture once more and then pour it into the ice cream maker. Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Transfer the finished ice cream to an airtight container and place in the freezer until ready to serve.

Crazy Ice Cream Flavors

Is mac and cheese ice cream too crazy for you? If you’re at all adventurous, I recommend trying it along with some more of these crazy ice cream flavors!

Oh. My. Word. When I had the initial idea for a Popcorn Ice Cream flavor, it was loosely inspired by my love for this Caramel Popcorn Ice Cream Sundae. I had no clue at the time just how fantastic that ice cream idea would turn out to be.

Creamy, cool sweetness collides with spicy, zesty heat in Jalapeno Ice Cream, creating a surprising fusion of smooth, rich dairy with the fiery kick of jalapeño peppers.

Creamy sweet vanilla ice cream filled with crunchy, nutty grape nuts? Yes, please! This Grape Nut Ice Cream has been an absolute win with family and friends.

Peach Cobbler Ice Cream just might be the best impulsive ice cream flavor I’ve ever made. With chunks of cinnamon crust and syrupy peaches in every bite, this ice cream is irresistible.

Captain Crunch Ice Cream is a whimsical treat that captures the essence of childhood breakfasts in a delightful homemade ice cream. The nostalgic cereal flavor infuses every scoop of this creamy, velvety ice cream.