Mexican Ice Cream Recipe

Quick & Colorful Mexican Ice Cream Recipe to Spice Up Dessert

Cool and creamy Mexican ice cream offers a delightful twist on traditional frozen treats that will surprise you.

Sweet mangoes, tropical fruits, and unexpected spices dance together in this refreshing dessert.

Our recipe brings authentic flavors straight from local markets in mexico.

Forget bland store-bought versions – this homemade delight bursts with vibrant ingredients.

Rich condensed milk blends perfectly with smooth, ripe fruits for a luscious texture.

Each spoonful promises a mini culinary adventure that transports you to sunny Mexican streets.

Come experience this sweet journey and unlock a world of delicious possibilities!

FAQs

  • What makes this Mexican ice cream unique?

The combination of cinnamon, chili powder, and optional tropical fruits creates a distinctive flavor profile that sets it apart from traditional ice cream.

  • Can I make this recipe without an ice cream maker?

While an ice cream maker produces the best texture, you can use a no-churn method by whipping the cream and condensed milk together and freezing, though the texture will be different.

  • Is the chili powder necessary for the recipe?

The chili powder adds a subtle warmth and complexity to the ice cream, but you can reduce or omit it if you prefer a milder flavor.

  • How spicy will the ice cream be with chili powder?

The amount of chili powder used is minimal, providing just a hint of warmth without making the ice cream overly spicy.

Why Mexican Ice Cream! Is a Sweet Treat Everyone Loves

  • Spice Up Your Dessert: Experience a thrilling twist on traditional ice cream with a bold Mexican-inspired flavor profile that combines sweet, creamy, and slightly spicy notes.
  • Customize with Tropical Flair: Enhance the recipe by adding chopped mango or papaya, creating a personalized dessert that brings vibrant colors and fresh fruity bursts to your frozen treat.
  • Impress with Gourmet Simplicity: Create a sophisticated dessert that requires minimal cooking skills, using basic kitchen tools and ingredients to craft an impressive, restaurant-quality ice cream at home.
  • Cultural Culinary Adventure: Explore Mexican culinary traditions through a delightful dessert that showcases the country's love for unique flavor combinations, bringing an authentic taste experience to your table.

Key Ingredients for Mexican Ice Cream! Excellence

Base Ingredients:
  • Whole Milk: A creamy base that provides the essential texture for smooth Mexican ice cream.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, scoopable consistency.
  • Cinnamon Stick: Infuses a warm, traditional Mexican flavor into the ice cream.
Cream and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creates a luxurious, velvety mouthfeel.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic, sweet aromatic background to the ice cream.
  • Chili Powder: Introduces a subtle, authentic Mexican spicy kick to the dessert.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile of the ice cream.
Optional Mix-Ins:
  • Mango, Papaya: Fresh fruits that add natural sweetness and tropical brightness to the ice cream.

How to Make Mexican Ice Cream! with Ease

Step 1: Warm Milk and Spice Blend

Grab a medium saucepan and combine whole milk, sugar, and a fragrant cinnamon stick. Gently heat the mixture, stirring softly until sugar completely dissolves.

Avoid boiling the liquid, maintaining a warm temperature that allows flavors to mingle beautifully.

Step 2: Infuse Cinnamon Flavor

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cinnamon stick rest in the warm mixture for about 15 minutes.

This allows the sweet, woody cinnamon essence to permeate the liquid thoroughly. After infusion, carefully remove and discard the cinnamon stick.

Step 3: Create Creamy Spice Mixture

Incorporate these ingredients into the milk base:
  • Heavy cream
  • Vanilla extract
  • Chili powder
  • Salt

Stir all ingredients until perfectly blended, creating a smooth and complex flavor profile that hints at Mexican culinary traditions.

Step 4: Chill Mixture Completely

Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator and let it cool completely.

Allow at least 2 hours of chilling time, or ideally overnight, which helps develop a more luxurious and silky texture.

Step 5: Churn Ice Cream

Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker.

Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the mixture transforms into a thick, creamy consistency.

Step 6: Add Optional Fruity Twist

If desired, fold in chopped mango or papaya during the final 5 minutes of churning.

These tropical fruits add delightful bursts of sweetness and color.

Step 7: Freeze and Serve

Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container.

Freeze for a minimum of 2 hours to allow the ice cream to set perfectly. Serve and enjoy this vibrant Mexican-inspired frozen treat.

Helpful Tips to Perfect Mexican Ice Cream!

  • Let the cinnamon stick steep longer for a more intense, aromatic flavor that permeates the entire ice cream base.
  • Adjust the chili powder according to your heat tolerance, starting with a small pinch and gradually increasing for a perfect balance.
  • Choose ripe, sweet mangoes or papayas to enhance the natural sweetness and add vibrant color to the ice cream.
  • Allow the ice cream to soften at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to achieve the ideal creamy consistency.
  • Sprinkle toasted pepitas or crushed Mexican chocolate on top for extra crunch and traditional flavor complexity.

Fun Variations on Mexican Ice Cream! to Try

  • Vegan Spice Dream: Replace whole milk and heavy cream with coconut milk, use agave nectar instead of sugar, and keep the cinnamon and chili powder for a rich, dairy-free version.
  • Chocolate Chili Fusion: Add dark chocolate powder or melted dark chocolate to the base mixture, intensifying the Mexican-inspired flavor profile with extra depth.
  • Low-Sugar Cinnamon Splash: Substitute sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, maintaining the authentic cinnamon and chili notes while reducing overall sugar content.
  • Tropical Mango Breeze: Increase mango quantity, blend fresh mango into the base mixture for a more pronounced fruit flavor, and garnish with extra diced tropical fruits before serving.

Best Pairings with Mexican Ice Cream!

Dunking cinnamon-sugar churros into this creamy, chili-infused ice cream creates a magical flavor explosion that celebrates traditional Mexican dessert textures.

Rich, slightly bitter chocolate complements the ice cream’s sweet heat, offering a sophisticated contrast that enhances every spoonful’s complexity.

Smooth, aged tequila with woody undertones perfectly matches the warm cinnamon and subtle chili notes, creating an elegant adult dessert experience.

Diced pineapple or passion fruit provide bright, tangy counterpoints that cut through the ice cream’s creamy richness and amplify its vibrant Mexican-inspired profile.

How to Keep Mexican Ice Cream! Fresh and Creamy

  • Transfer leftover Mexican ice cream to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals, then seal with the container's lid. Keep in the coldest part of the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
  • Wrap the container in an additional layer of aluminum foil for extra protection against freezer burn and flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Remove the ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly. Use a scoop warmed under hot water for easier serving.
  • Do not microwave. Instead, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes until it reaches a scoopable consistency. Stir gently to redistribute any separated ingredients for a smooth texture.
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Mexican Ice Cream Recipe

Mexican Ice Cream! Recipe


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4.6 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Sweet Mexican ice cream delivers a creamy paradise of authentic flavors dancing through rich cultural traditions. Cool spoons will dive into smooth, silky textures that connect you with generations of delightful Mexican culinary artistry.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar

Spices and Flavoring:

  • 1 cinnamon stick (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Seasoning:

  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Warm whole milk, sugar, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until sugar completely dissolves without reaching a boil.
  2. Remove from heat and allow cinnamon to steep for 15 minutes, then discard the cinnamon stick.
  3. Incorporate heavy cream, vanilla extract, chili powder, and salt into the milk mixture, whisking until thoroughly combined.
  4. Refrigerate the mixture for 2 hours or overnight, ensuring it becomes completely chilled and develops a smoother consistency.
  5. Pour the cold mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s guidelines until it reaches a thick, creamy texture (approximately 20-25 minutes).
  6. Optional: Fold in chopped mango or papaya during the final 5 minutes of churning for added tropical flavor.
  7. Transfer the freshly churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for a minimum of 2 hours to achieve optimal texture and firmness before serving.

Notes

  • Opt for Mexican cinnamon (canela) for a more authentic, deeper flavor profile that elevates the entire dessert.
  • Adjust chili powder quantity based on heat tolerance; start with a small amount and gradually increase for personalized spice level.
  • Consider using fresh fruit like ripe champagne mangoes for maximum natural sweetness and vibrant color when adding fruit.
  • Allow the ice cream to soften at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 306 kcal
  • Sugar: 24 g
  • Sodium: 40 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 0.3 g
  • Protein: 3.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg
Jess Martinez

Jess Martinez

Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health

Education

Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.


Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.

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