Cookie Butter Gelato

      Tessa’s Recipe Overview

      FLAVOR: Mildly spiced, showcasing the caramelized sweetness we cherish in a Biscoff/Speculoos cookie.

      CONSISTENCY: The texture of this ice cream is something I fantasize about. Tiny bits of Biscoff cookie with a milk-dipped feel, combined with rich swirls of cookie butter… It’s truly beyond description in its deliciousness.

      Simplicity: There’s nothing technically challenging; it just requires some patience while chilling and freezing.

      WHY THIS RECIPE WILL WIN YOU OVER: I’m sure this will quickly become one of your family's favorite ice cream recipes.

      This post may include affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

      Whenever I’ve served this Cookie Butter Ice Cream, I notice some skepticism. Some people are unfamiliar with cookie butter, others haven't considered adding it to ice cream, and some expect the ice cream to be overly sweet.

      Yet, without fail, everyone who tries it soon declares it one of their favorite ice cream flavors!

      Let me be clear: this absolutely deserves to be your next dessert. It can’t wait; it’s THAT incredible. It offers a wonderfully craveable texture and perfectly balanced sweetness with a hint of spice.

      Free Baking Science Mini-Course!

      From cookies that spread to undercooked brownies, this FREE 5-day Baking Science course helps you tackle common baking issues and create bakery-quality treats every time.

      This Biscoff ice cream recipe is delightful on its own, amazing in ice cream sandwiches, and simply spectacular over apple pie or apple galette.

      Inspired by Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Ice Cream, which I’ve adored for years, I would surreptitiously take all the scoops packed with Speculoos/Biscoff cookies and cookie butter for myself. It was an act of sheer selfishness, and to make amends for this dessert crime, I knew I needed to develop a recipe where every. single. scoop is brimming with texture and flavor.

      If you feel daunted by making homemade ice cream, don’t worry. I’ve included straightforward tips for success below (as someone who has shared several ice cream recipes online and authored an entire cookbook on homemade ice cream and ice cream sandwiches).

      Sprinkle of Knowledge

      Cookie Butter Ice Cream Recipe Tips

      What is cookie butter?

      Cookie butter is a sweet, creamy spread made from ground speculoos (Biscoff) cookies, with a texture similar to peanut butter. It’s available under the Biscoff brand at many grocery stores (Target, Walmart) alongside other spreads like Nutella, and Trader Joe's offers its version called Speculoos Butter. You can also find it on Amazon.

      This recipe has been successfully tested using both Biscoff and Trader Joe’s brands.

      My Favorite Ice Cream Maker

      I’ve owned and enjoyed my Cuisinart ice cream machine for over a decade, using it to create more than 50 ice cream recipes, so it has truly been put to the test.

      If you have a similar machine, ensure that the freezer bowl is COMPLETELY frozen prior to churning, with no liquid sloshing around. Additionally, your ice cream base should be well chilled before adding it to the machine; if they’re not cold enough, you’ll end up with soup instead of ice cream.

      How long does ice cream take to churn?

      This varies depending on your ice cream maker. Churning can take anywhere from 12 to 25 minutes. Be sure to follow your machine’s instructions. You’ll notice a change in the sound of the churning once it starts to thicken. Homemade ice cream is ready when a spoonful remains on your spoon without melting or sliding off immediately.

      Can I make this recipe without an ice cream maker?

      An ice cream maker yields the creamiest texture, but if you don’t have one, you can use Methods #2, #3, or #4 from my article on How to Make Ice Cream Without a Machine.

      How to properly store homemade ice cream:

      Keep it in an airtight container where your freezer maintains a consistent temperature, ideally at the back (rather than in the door). To prevent freezer burn, press plastic wrap directly against the surface of the ice cream. Do not store in the ice cream maker bowl.

      How to serve cookie butter ice cream:

      To make homemade ice cream easy to scoop, place the container in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving.

      Bringing it to room temperature results in uneven thawing, where the edges get melty while the center remains hard. This is my favorite ice cream scoop.

      Ingredients:

      - Just under 1 cup (215 grams) cookie butter spread, like Biscoff, divided

      - 1 1/4 cups (296 grams) cold whole milk

      - 3/4 cup (150 grams