Coffee Ice Cream: Recipes, Reviews, and FAQs
What’s better than coffee?!
Nothing. But ice cream might be a close second. And in the heat of winter, coffee ice cream is a delicious treat that I also don’t have to share with my children.
Coffee ice cream recipes
There are two ways to do ice cream + coffee:
- Put ice cream in your coffee
- Put coffee in your ice cream
Let’s try both.
Ice cream coffee float recipes
An ice cream float is just adding scoops of ice cream to a beverage. It’s usually done with soda, sure, but you’re a grown up. You can do whatever you want. (Add all the disclaimers here.)
Ice cream coffee floats don’t have to get fancy.
- Brew half a glass of your favorite coffee. Use cold brew if you have it or just brew your coffee and pop it in the fridge to cool it down.
- Add a couple scoops of your favorite ice cream to a glass. I like a plain vanilla, but anything with chocolate and/or caramel would work too.
- Pour cooled coffee over.
- Add any toppings you want and have on-hand.
- Enjoy!
But of course … we can also get fancy.
Bailey’s Ice Cream Coffee Float
Raquel is taking the “because we’re adults” bit all the way to Bailey’s … and I’m here for it. Also, chocolate AND vanilla ice cream is a good call.
Cold Brew Coffee Soda Float
Jessica is keeping the soda in the float and honestly … it really works. I was skeptical, but I was wrong. She lists coconut and chocolate drizzle as optional, but do it. (Unless allergies, then … don’t.)
Affogato
If you really want to impress, use smaller portions, simpler ingredients, and Italian names. Affogato is one scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream, “drowned” in one shot of espresso. Natasha nails it.
Coffee ice cream recipes
Yes, you can buy coffee flavored ice cream. We’ll get to that. But it’s always better homemade if you have the time.
Coffee Ice Cream by Joy Food Sunshine
Laura’s coffee ice cream recipe may be the most popular one on the internet. It requires an ice cream maker and (preferably) a day’s notice, but it’s worth it.
Coffee Ice Cream by Joy the Baker
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, Joy has you covered. She also has lots of recommendations for possible mix-ins.
Coffee ice cream reviews
If you’re not the DIY type, that’s okay. You still deserve coffee ice cream. Here are a few faves. All great options for scooping into a bowl oooooor … using in an ice cream float. 🤯
Trader Joe’s Coffee Bean Blast Ice Cream
Rich and creamy—Trader Joe’s doesn’t whip as much air into their ice creams as some other brands. The coffee flavor is great and there are bits of Columbian beans mixed in for some texture.
Ben & Jerry’s Coffee, Coffee BuzzBuzzBuzz! Ice Cream
Ben and Jerry love their mix-ins, and this one is no different. This is a good coffee ice cream with chunks of chocolate-covered toffee. I’m not a huge fan of toffee texture, but the flavors are so good together.
Van Leeuwen‘s Coffee Affogato
This was a limited edition, but some grocers still have it available. Van Leeuwen calls their goods “French ice cream” because they use extra egg yolk to up the creaminess. And yes, you can tell.
Coffee ice cream FAQs
You still have questions. Let’s talk about it.
Does coffee ice cream have caffeine in it?
Coffee ice cream does have caffeine in it, but not much. How much caffeine is in your coffee ice cream depends on the brand (or how much coffee you use in your recipe). Trader Joe’s coffee ice cream, for example has about 32 milligrams of caffeine per serving, compared to about 190 in your typical 16-ounce cup of coffee.
Can dogs have coffee ice cream?
Dogs should not have coffee ice cream. Caffeine and other mix-ins or additives commonly found in coffee ice cream are not good for dogs. Although the amount of caffeine in a serving of coffee ice cream isn’t toxic, too much caffeine can poison a dog. If you catch them licking the spoon you left out, don’t panic. But don’t share your dessert either.
Can cats have coffee ice cream?
Cats should not have coffee ice cream. Ice cream isn’t actually good for anyone, but “too much” happens faster with smaller animals. Cats are more sensitive to caffeine than humans, so the small amounts in a serving of coffee ice cream are more dangerous to cats.
