Ice Cream Bread Recipe

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
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Updated on 02/9/24
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 8 slices
Yield: 1 loaf

Making two-ingredient ice cream bread is one of those magical recipes that sounds impossible. The recipe is incredibly easy, and yet the flavor possibilities are endless. All you need is your favorite flavor of ice cream and self-rising flour. The result is a loaf of quick bread with a great texture and light flavor.

The trick to a bread with a tender crumb is to make sure the ice cream is melted and smooth before mixing it with the self-rising flour. It is also important to use full-fat regular ice cream; don't attempt to substitute low-fat or low-sugar ice cream in this recipe. You also need to be sure to use self-rising flour, which is a perfectly blended mix of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Ice cream bread with sprinkles

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
what you'll need to make this ice cream bread recipe
OXO Good Grips Nonstick Pro Loaf Pan
A Good Loaf Pan
OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set
A Spatula
Checkered Chef Cooling Racks 2-Pack
A Cooling Rack

Ingredients

  • 2 cups softened ice cream

  • 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour

  • Multicolored sprinkles, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F and grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch bread loaf pan and set aside.

    Ingredients for ice cream bread

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  2. Stir the ice cream until mostly melted and smooth. In a large bowl, combine the soft, smooth ice cream and the self-rising flour. Do not overmix.

    Ice Cream Bread

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  3. Pour the batter into the prepared bread loaf pan.

    Batter for ice cream bread in a loaf pan

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  4. Top with sprinkles, if desired. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

    Ice cream bread in a loaf pan covered with sprinkles

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  5. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and allow to cool the rest of the way on a cooling rack.

    Ice Cream Bread
     Kristina Vanni

  6. Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers for up to three days in an airtight container.

Tip

Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to mix the ice cream and remove any lumps. This will prevent you from overworking the batter when combining the two ingredients, and an overworked batter will result in a dense bread.

Recipe Variations

The possibilities are endless when it comes to making ice cream bread. You can use your favorite types of ice cream to create new and exciting flavors. Here are a few suggestions to try:

  • Butter Pecan Ice Cream Bread: Use butter pecan ice cream in the recipe and top with finely chopped pecans before baking. Serve the slices toasted with a pat of butter.
  • Chocolate Ice Cream Bread: Use chocolate ice cream in the recipe and top with mini chocolate chips before baking.
  • Strawberries and Cream Ice Cream Bread: Use strawberry ice cream in the recipe and top with white chocolate chips before baking.
  • Cinnamon Raisin Ice Cream Bread: Use rum raisin ice cream in the recipe and add 1 teaspoon cinnamon into the batter. Additional raisins can also be mixed in before baking.

What Replaces Self-Rising Flour?

Self-rising flour is different from all-purpose insofar as the salt and baking powder are already in the flour; hence, the self-rising name. However, you can make self-rising flour by using 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt per cup of flour in your recipe.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
151 Calories
4g Fat
25g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 151
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 306mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 25g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 121mg 9%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 95mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)