Decadent Fudge Topped Marshmallow Ice Cream: Your Ultimate Summer Indulgence

Imagine this: a spoonful of exquisitely creamy, homemade marshmallow ice cream, generously swirled with a rich, velvety hot fudge sauce that melts in your mouth. This isn’t just any dessert; it’s an experience. Our Fudge Topped Marshmallow Ice Cream recipe combines the whimsical sweetness of marshmallows with the luxurious depth of a homemade fudge sauce, creating a frozen treat that promises pure bliss with every scoop. Perfect for cooling down on a sweltering summer day, this decadent delight is surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to become a family favorite.

This Homemade Marshmallow Ice Cream Recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s an invitation to create unforgettable memories. Whether served simply in a crispy cone or transformed into an elaborate sundae crowned with a generous drizzle of hot fudge, this treat elevates ordinary moments into something truly special. The unique flavor profile, characterized by its ethereal sweetness and remarkably smooth texture, sets it apart from conventional ice creams.

Why This Homemade Marshmallow Ice Cream Is a Must-Try

Embarking on a culinary adventure with blogger friends for a marshmallow ice cream extravaganza, we were challenged by Jenni of Pastry Chef Online and Kirsten of Comfortably Domestic to craft unique frozen desserts starring marshmallows. While some might opt for the intricate process of making marshmallows from scratch, this recipe takes a delightfully simpler route without compromising on flavor or texture. Here’s why you absolutely need to make this:

Effortless Elegance: We embraced the easy method by gently melting a bag of marshmallows into the half and half, which then forms the base of our luscious custard. This simple technique bypasses the fuss of gelatin and egg whites typically involved in homemade marshmallow production, saving you time and effort while still delivering that distinctive marshmallow flavor and creaminess.
Satisfying Simplicity: Once your custard is prepared and chilled, the hardest part is waiting patiently for your ice cream maker to transform it into a perfectly churned masterpiece. The process is straightforward, making it accessible even for novice dessert makers.
A Family Fun Activity: Making homemade ice cream is a fantastic way to spend quality time with loved ones. On a hot summer day, gathering around the ice cream maker to anticipate the delicious outcome becomes a cherished family tradition. Kids especially love watching the magic happen and, of course, being the first taste testers!
Unforgettable Flavor Profile: The melted marshmallows don’t just add sweetness; they impart a unique chewiness and a subtle, distinctive flavor that’s both comforting and exciting. It’s a nostalgic taste that reminds many of childhood treats, yet feels sophisticated enough for any dinner party.
Customizable Culinary Canvas: While delicious on its own, this marshmallow ice cream serves as the perfect canvas for endless customization. Fold in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or swirls of fruit compote for an extra personal touch.

Preparing this homemade treat means you control the ingredients, ensuring a fresh, preservative-free dessert that’s tailor-made for your palate. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s an experience that brings joy to both the maker and the eater.

The Inspiration Behind This Marshmallow Ice Cream Masterpiece

The inspiration for this delightful marshmallow ice cream stems from a cherished memory. Years ago, during a visit to Victoria, British Columbia, my family and I discovered a vanilla ice cream that captivated us with its distinct marshmallow flavor. It was so memorable that Miss Katie, my daughter, savored every spoonful, and even I, not typically a massive marshmallow enthusiast, kept sneaking tastes from her bowl. I honestly should have ordered my own!

That unforgettable experience sparked a desire to recreate that magical flavor at home. The challenge was to capture that unique taste and texture – the light, airy sweetness and the subtle, chewy essence of marshmallows – within a creamy ice cream base. This recipe is the culmination of that quest, resulting in a homemade marshmallow ice cream that everyone in our family adores. It’s a taste that transports us back to that sunny day in Victoria, a testament to how food can create and preserve beautiful memories. The melted marshmallows integrate seamlessly into the custard, providing that signature flavor and contributing to an incredibly smooth and luxurious texture that makes this ice cream truly stand out.

Crafting the Decadent Hot Fudge Sauce

In our household, a scoop of ice cream isn’t truly complete without a generous topping. Last week, it was a luscious homemade caramel sauce, and before that, a vibrant Strawberry Sauce paired with Cheesecake Ice Cream. This week, we’re elevating our creamy marshmallow concoction with an undeniably rich and silky hot fudge sauce, transforming it into an ultimate indulgence.

The moment my husband spotted the freshly made fudge sauce in the refrigerator, he couldn’t resist sneaking a spoonful. And who could blame him? This isn’t just any chocolate sauce. It boasts a healthy dose of unsweetened cocoa powder for intense chocolate flavor, further deepened by the strategic addition of instant coffee powder. This secret ingredient doesn’t make the sauce taste like coffee; instead, it acts as a flavor enhancer, bringing out the richer, more complex notes of the chocolate. The result is a truly luscious combination that perfectly complements the sweet and airy marshmallow ice cream. Whether you decide to make the ice cream, the fudge sauce, or both, your family will be absolutely delighted to kick off the summer season on such a deliciously high note!

PRO-Tip for Elevating Chocolate Flavor: Did you know that a touch of coffee or espresso can dramatically enhance the chocolate flavor in desserts? It’s a culinary secret that deepens the cocoa notes without imparting a distinct coffee taste. I personally love using instant coffee or espresso powder because it dissolves easily and provides a concentrated flavor boost. Alternatively, you can substitute any water called for in a chocolate dessert recipe with an equal amount of cold coffee. This simple trick works wonders in cakes, brownies, cookies, and, of course, this incredible hot fudge sauce, making your chocolate desserts taste even more intensely chocolaty and complex.

Serving Suggestions and Variations for Your Marshmallow Ice Cream

Once you’ve churned your perfect batch of marshmallow ice cream and simmered your decadent hot fudge sauce, the real fun begins: serving! This versatile dessert offers countless ways to enjoy it, catering to every craving and occasion. For a classic approach, simply scoop the ice cream into sugar cones or waffle bowls, then generously drizzle with the warm fudge sauce. The contrast between the cold, creamy ice cream and the warm, rich fudge is pure magic.

For an elevated experience, create a lavish sundae. Start with a base of marshmallow ice cream, then add the hot fudge sauce, a dollop of whipped cream, and a sprinkle of chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts work beautifully). Don’t forget a maraschino cherry on top for that iconic finish! For a playful twist, consider adding mini marshmallows or crushed graham crackers for a s’mores-inspired sundae. If you’re feeling adventurous, try an affogato-style dessert by pouring a shot of hot espresso over a scoop of marshmallow ice cream and a drizzle of fudge. The bitterness of the coffee beautifully cuts through the sweetness.

Beyond toppings, you can also customize the ice cream itself. Fold in chocolate chips during the last few minutes of churning for a “Rocky Road” vibe, or swirl in a fruit compote (like strawberry or raspberry) for a fruity counterpoint. A sprinkle of sea salt flakes over the hot fudge can also enhance the chocolate’s depth, creating a delightful sweet and salty combination.

Essential Tips for Homemade Ice Cream Success

Making homemade ice cream can be a rewarding experience, and a few key tips can ensure your results are consistently perfect:

Chill Everything Thoroughly: The custard base needs to be thoroughly chilled – ideally overnight – before churning. A cold base churns more efficiently and results in a smoother, creamier ice cream with smaller ice crystals.
Don’t Overfill Your Machine: Most ice cream makers have a fill line. Do not exceed it, as the mixture will expand as it churns and incorporates air.
Churn Until Thick: Churn the ice cream according to your manufacturer’s instructions, typically until it reaches the consistency of soft-serve. It will firm up more in the freezer.
The Art of Freezing: After churning, transfer the soft ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4-6 hours (or overnight) to achieve a scoopable, firm consistency.
Temperature Matters: Serve your ice cream slightly softened for the best texture and flavor. Take it out of the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving.

More Marshmallow Recipes to Try:

If you’ve fallen in love with the versatility and deliciousness of marshmallows, here are some other incredible recipes from my talented blogger friends and myself that you simply must try:

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream with Key Lime Mallow Swirl from Jenni of Pastry Chef Online
Frozen Coconut S’mores Bars from Karyn of Pint Sized Baker
Kahlua Marshmallows and Marshmallow Sauce from Betsy of Desserts Required
No-Churn Amaretto Ice Cream with Almond Marshmallows from Stacy of Food Lust People Love
Traverse City Cherry Cordial Frozen Yogurt from Kirsten of Comfortably Domestic
Strawberry Marshmallow Ice Cream from Donna of Cookistry
Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge
Whoopie Pies with Marshmallow Creme Filling

The Recipe:

Marshmallow Ice Cream

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
20 minutes

Total Time
40 minutes

Yield
8 servings

Ultra creamy marshmallow ice cream topped with fudge sauce!

Ingredients

For Ice Cream:

2 cups half and half
10 ounces marshmallows
2 cups heavy cream
½ cup sugar
4 egg yolks
2 tablespoons vanilla

For Fudge Sauce:

1 cup sugar
⅛ teaspoon salt
½-1 teaspoon instant coffee, optional
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup butter
½ cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
1-2 tablespoons rum

Instructions

In a large pot, melt marshmallows with half and half over medium heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Set aside to cool.
Heat whipping cream in a large Pyrex measuring cup until almost boiling.
Whisk egg yolks and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Slowly drizzle the hot cream into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly so egg yolks don’t cook. Add vanilla.
When the marshmallow mixture is cooled, add it to the cream and egg mixture. Whisk to combine.
Refrigerate overnight.
Process in an ice cream maker following manufacturer’s directions. Freeze until it firms up to your desired consistency.

To Make Fudge Sauce:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (sugar, salt, instant coffee, cocoa powder). In a saucepan, combine butter and cream and heat until the butter has melted.
Add dry ingredients to the cream mixture, constantly whisking.
Boil, stirring constantly until thick and smooth, about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and rum.
Cool before serving. Refrigerate any unused portions.
Can be reheated in a microwave, as needed, for a warm drizzle.

Notes

Total time does not include freezing time for the ice cream after churning.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 746Total Fat: 47gSaturated Fat: 30gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 228mgSodium: 216mgCarbohydrates: 74gFiber: 1gSugar: 63gProtein: 7g

Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes on thatskinnychickcanbake.com recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results.

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Liz’s Skinny Tip: Savoring Without Sacrificing

I’m excited to continue my series of “Skinny Tips,” a collection of insights into how I maintain a balanced lifestyle and manage my weight – one of my most frequently asked questions. These tips aren’t about deprivation; they’re about smart choices and mindful enjoyment, which I believe are key to sustainable health. I’ll be featuring more of these tips in upcoming blog posts, so stay tuned!

Tip #5: Don’t deprive yourself. Denying yourself leads to overeating and a feeling of resentment towards your diet. Instead of eliminating your favorite treats entirely, practice moderation. For example, I enjoy a cookie after dinner most nights. The trick is to savor that single cookie – appreciate its flavor and texture – rather than mindlessly devouring the whole batch. Allowing yourself small indulgences can prevent intense cravings and keep you on track with your healthy eating goals. It’s all about balance and conscious enjoyment, making sure your favorite foods fit into your lifestyle without derailing it.