Rich chocolate and peanut butter ice cream with chocolate and peanut butter chunks mixed throughout is a dream come true for any ice cream lover.
The candy pieces are just the right amount of dark chocolate and peanut butter to mix into the ice cream.
Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream
The first time I made this chocolate ice cream and filled it with peanut butter cups, I stashed it in the freezer for a few days before sharing it with my boys.
I knew without a doubt that they would flip over this ice cream. (Yes, I enjoyed it daily. There just wasn’t the right moment to share it initially. You do believe me, right?)
I’ve been making this ice cream for almost nine years now and this is still one of our favorite ice creams. It tastes just like a smooth, creamy chocolate peanut butter cup!
I don’t know if I’ve ever had as many ice cream related questions from readers as I have this past week. So many people are making Homemade Ice Cream and looking at Ice Cream Makers too.
For more great recipes to try, don’t miss our whole collection of ice cream recipes! Fresh Mint Ice Cream is like no other mint ice cream you’ve tried in the past, and it is one of our current favorites.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
There aren’t very many ice cream recipes on this website that require cooking the base mixture over the stove, but this one? It is absolutely worth a few minutes of stirring and the lengthy chill time before churning. And when I say it’s worth it? I mean it.
I’d choose this chocolate and peanut butter ice cream combination over anything store-bought!
Just a heads up: As much as I love this ice cream fully loaded with peanut butter cups, I need to caution you that adding too much candy to this ice cream will make it far less creamy and more likely to crumble apart.
It’s absolutely delicious that way too (as evidenced by some of these photos) but it won’t be as pretty or scoopable if it’s fully loaded with chocolate peanut butter chunks.
And for what it’s worth, this ice cream is absolutely lovely without any additional candy mixed in to it.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Recipe
Start by combining all of the ingredients except the peanut butter and the chocolate chips in a large saucepan. Whisk to combine and then heat over medium heat, stirring continually, until it comes to a full boil. (If you are impatient like me, increase the heat, but continue stirring non-stop. Do not step away at this point.)
When the mixture begins to foam, remove it from the heat and stir in the peanut butter. Whisk it together until it is fully incorporated. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or up to two days.
Process the mixture according to your ice cream maker’s instructions. When the ice cream is almost finished, stir in the chocolate pieces of your choice, if desired. Transfer the finished ice cream to a freezer-safe container.
If you’re looking for an ice cream recipe with even more crunchy candy pieces, Nutty Bars Ice Cream is a rich peanut butter ice cream loaded to the absolute max with chunks of Little Debbie’s classic Nutty Buddy Wafer Bars.
The most popular question I get is whether it’s possible to make ice cream without a machine. The answer is YES. You can make ice cream without a machine. Find the full directions here!
If you don’t happen to have peanut butter cups in the house, but you do have chocolate and peanut butter, you might want to try your hand at Homemade Reese’s Cups too.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cups heavy cream
- 1 cups whole milk
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 cup peanut butter cups, roughly chopped, or 1 cup miniature peanut butter cups (the very small pb cups that come unwrapped in a bag in the baking aisle work great)
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine everything except the peanut butter and the chocolate chips. Whisk to combine and then heat over medium heat, stirring continually, until it comes to a full boil. If you are impatient like me, increase the heat, but continue stirring non-stop. Do not step away at this point.
- When the mixture begins to foam, remove it from the heat and stir in the peanut butter. Whisk it together until it is fully incorporated. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or up to two days.
- Process according to your machine's instructions. When the ice cream is almost finished, stir in the candy pieces and transfer to a freezer-safe container.
Nutrition
{originally published 7/26/11 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/16/24}
recipe inspired by Jen at My Tiny Oven
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says
Now this we wilt have to try very soon! It just looks and sounds so delicious!!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Peanut butter and chocolate in ice cream! Brillant! I love my ice cream maker and this sounds too good to pass up. You don't have to share – we won't tell.
Sinful Sundays says
Yum, that looks velvety rich! And lol at you not sharing..yet. 😉
Lisa - the Granola Catholic says
sounds yummy- my favorite combos in in ice cream. I wonder how it would work in the ice cream ball or baggie method.
The Slow Roasted Italian says
I have a feeling those 3 boys may not get to try this flavor. Nothing wrong with that. I love love love peanut butter and chocolate. Can't wait to try this!
no spring chicken says
This is my family's favorite flavor! We buy Tillamook brand when it's on sale… can't afford it otherwise. Thanks for the recipe!
*Sarah Plain and Tall was actually just one very small, simple book. It's likely you did read it when you were younger. The writers for Hallmark films would have had to have taken A LOT of liberty to make the story into 3 movies but they did a great job!
Blessings, Debbie
Anncoo says
I really want more of the ice cream! Love the peanut butter and chocolate… yummy!
Pam says
This looks just amazing. I love chocolate/pb together.
Jen of My Tiny Oven says
Thanks for the shout out! So glad I could help you out with my bad infulence to eat chocolaty treats!! It looks amazing, mine is all gone I need to whip up a new batch.
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
honestly this ice cream looks to die for!! SOOO good – wouldn't last a minute in my house!
Mary x
esther says
Oh, there's nothing too wrong with saving it for yourself right?
I just said to my husband yesterday, "I really think it'd be nice to get an ice cream maker", and now it is confirmed.
Christine's Pantry says
Love this. Perfect for a hot day. Yum!
sweetcarolinescooking.com says
Ahhh I'm seeing so many ice cream recipes and it's killing me! It would be the perfect treat with this hot weather. 🙂
Dottie says
i'm going to leave this recipe up so my husband can see it. If this isnt reason enough to get an ice cream maker, i don't know what is!
Sweet And Crumby says
Oh my, this would KILL me if it were in my freezer. I don't think I could stop at one bowl. This is my favorite ice cream flavor EVER!
The Procrastobaker says
Oh my, this does look supremely wonderful and so perfectly summery. Looks gorgeously smooth…yummmm!
Marjie says
Now, this ice cream would be safe from me, because I eat only straight chocolate – not chocolate foods. The real problem is that I'd have to make 2 or 3 batches just to have enough to feed my hungry horde! It sounds really promising!
Taylor says
I'd like a pint of that right about now 🙂
Bo says
Bowl and spoon please!
Erin @ Cooking on Whim says
Looks like a nice, creamy chocolate! Love it!
Also, just stumbled across your blog, and I love it/your philosophy– it is similar to mine! I am a new follower.