This Lucky Charms Ice Cream is made with cereal-infused milk and packed with extra Lucky Charms marshmallows and marshmallow fluff. Dare I say it's magically delicious?
(This recipe for Lucky Charms Ice Cream was originally published in September 2012, but has been updated with new photos and content in 2019).
I originally made this Lucky Charms ice cream wayyy back in 2012. At the time, I was lamenting about how I was about to turn 30 years old and how fast time was flying by. Oh, I was so young and innocent back in those days! And also, a really bad photographer. Seriously, though.
Which is exactly why I'm taking the time to update this post. To be fair, 2012 was a different time in the recipe creation/food blog world and I'll never forget when Bon Appétit magazine picked this recipe up and featured my photos on their website.
These days, Bon Appétit wouldn't give those photos a second look. And most readers probably wouldn't either. Because even though the actual recipe is amazingly delicious, people eat with their eyes and want an ice cream that looks as pretty as it tastes.
Also these days? There are probably hundreds of recipes for Lucky Charms ice cream on the internet. Back then, mine was one of the only ones, so beggars couldn't be choosers.
It kinda makes you wonder where we'll be in another 6.5 years. And also how the heck 6.5 years flew by so quickly. Did you know that scientists have actually done research that supports the fact the older you get, the faster time appears to move? And that if you live to be 80, you've already passed through 71% of the subjective experience of the passage of time by the time you're 40? That is so freaking scary to me.
Oh my God, I'm being depressing. In a post about Lucky Charms ice cream. That's not even allowed. But seriously, I'm happy with my new Lucky Charms ice cream photos, but I can't help but wonder if they'll be laughable again in another six years.
Of course, the passage of time and getting older isn't all bad. I mean, when you're a kid, you're not allowed to pick the marshmallows out of your Lucky Charms. You have to eat all those darn "healthy" (but not really… just not artificially colored marshmallows) cereal pieces. And it's obnoxious how off the marshmallow to cereal ratio is, right?
But when you're in your 30s, you can do whatever you want. Annnd then you quickly realize how annoyingly tedious it is to pick marshmallows out of a box of Lucky Charms. Sigh.
Lucky Charms Ice Cream Recipe
If you're scared of making homemade ice cream, don't be! It's actually really easy, even for custard-based recipes. While there are plenty of no-churn ice creams out there, I still fully believe you're going to get the best, creamiest ice cream with a maker, so I recommend investing in one (they're great for adding to wedding registries!).
I have the ice cream attachment for my KitchenAid mixer and absolutely love it (that link is an affiliate link and though the price fluctuates, it's super on sale at the time I'm writing this post, so keep your eye on it!).
This Lucky Charms ice cream consists of a cereal milk base with Lucky Charms marshmallows mixed in. Oh, and marshmallow fluff. Because, like we discussed, there nearly aren't enough marshmallows in a box of Lucky Charms.
And also because I have an addiction to making homemade fluff. My 6-year-old self would be seriously thrilled by this revelation.
To start the ice cream making process, make yourself a bowl of Lucky Charms (but don't eat it!). Seriously though, combine the cereal with the milk and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. You really want to let the flavors meld so you're left with a delicious cereal milk.
Strain the milk from the cereal and you're left with a glorious bowl of cereal milk. Which we all know is delicious and the best part of a bowl of cereal (well, maybe besides marshmallows).
Now, heat that milk and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly, until the mixture just reaches the point of simmer. Then remove from heat. While you're heating your milk, lightly whisk the egg yolks in a separate medium bowl.
And pour about half of the warm milk into the egg yolks, whisking all the time (this process is called tempering and is done slowly so you don't heat the eggs too much and cook them). Then pour the egg/milk mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk.
With the heat on low, continue whisking until mixture thickens up and coats the back of your spoon. Keep stirring and keep your eye on it because you don't want it to thicken too much and start getting clumpy. Remove from heat.
Pour heavy cream into a large bowl. And strain the egg/milk mixture through a fine mesh sieve into the heavy cream, continuing to whisk.
Do I Need an Ice Bath When Making Ice Cream?
Lots of people will tell you the bowl of cream should be in an ice bath when you pour the egg/milk mixture in. But I've made a lot of ice cream using all different methods and I've determined that the ice bath is a lot of extra work for no difference (in my opinion).
As long as your cream is cold and you're getting your mixture into the fridge right away, I don't think an ice bath is necessary.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (so that the plastic wrap is touching the top of the cream mixture to avoid a skin forming) and move to fridge for about 4 hours (I usually make my ice cream base one day, let it sit in the fridge overnight, and finish it the next day).
While the mixture is chilling, or whenever you want, whip up that fluff. If you've never made fluff before, I'll tell you now, it's superbly easy. And worth it. Just try it. Please?
How to Make Homemade Fluff
All you do is beat egg white, corn syrup, and salt in a mixer on high until the mixture thickens (4-5 minutes). It will start off clear, but after beating it, it will turn white. Then mix in confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and cream of tarter. And marshmallow fluff is yours!
This recipe make a little bit more than you need for the ice cream, so do something fun with it.
OK, back to the ice cream! When the ice cream mixture is chilled, process it in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions. For me, that means pouring mixture into my chilled ice cream bowl and mixing on low for about 20 minutes.
When the ice cream was almost done, I added about 1 ½ cup of marshmallow fluff and my 1 cup of Lucky Charms marshmallows.
Scoop the ice cream in an airtight container or two and pop in the freezer for about 6 more hours until it's at the consistency of your liking. I know. It's a lot of waiting. But the results are totally worth it.
And at last, you can call your magical Leprechaun friends in for dessert. It's like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. This Lucky Charms ice cream really actually does taste like cereal milk. I'm not sure if Momofuku invented the whole cereal milk idea, but I kind of want to marry it.
I also quite honestly want to marry this ice cream. It is legit that good.
The best thing is, you get a bit of marshmallow in every bite of ice cream. And even if for some strange crazy reason, you didn't, you'd still taste the marshmallow in every bite. Thanks to infusing the milk and adding in plenty of extra fluff. Best idea ever.
Marshmallow heaven.
By the way, is it just me or have cereal box toys gone way downhill since we were kids? If the boxes even include anything these days, it's trading cards or something you have to send away for.
Or something totally lame. Ugh, maybe that's just one more way I'm old.
But I will never be too old for concocting desserts out of sugary kids cereals.
And I hope you will never be too old to enjoy them. Or to at least humor me. For the most part, that's all I ask. But you really should make this Lucky Charms ice cream, even if you think you're too old for it.
Your inner kid will come out and you'll completely forget how old you are. Age is just a number anyway. At least that's what I'll keep telling myself. Age is a number and marshmallow-EVERYTHING is delicious always and forever.
More Lucky Charms Recipes
If you're looking for more delicious recipes using Lucky Charms, I have quite a few ready for you! I absolutely love baking with Lucky Charms and the options for what you can make with them are endless. Here are some of my favorite recipes:
- Lucky Charms Granola Bars
- Lucky Charms Martini
- No-Bake Lucky Charms Cookie Dough Bars
- Lucky Charms Doughnuts
- Lucky Charms Marshmallow Rice Krispies (from The Baking ChocolaTess)
- Lucky Charms Treats (from Food, Folks, and Fun)
- Lucky Charms Bark (from Sally's Baking Addiction)
Though this Lucky Charms ice cream is the most perfect St. Patrick's Day dessert, Lucky Charms really knows no season and the ice cream can be enjoyed year round, just like the cereal.
And once you try this, you're going to want to keep your freezer stocked all the time!
Do you still enjoy a bowl of Lucky Charms cereal every now and then?
📖 Recipe
Lucky Charms Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup Lucky Charms cereal, plus 1 extra cup Lucky Charms marshmallows
- 1 ¼ cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 large egg yolks
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups Marshmallow Fluff (store-bought or recipe below)
Marshmallow Fluff
- 1 large egg white
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- â…› tsp salt
- ¾ cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- â…› tsp cream of tarter
Instructions
- Pour Lucky Charms cereal and whole milk in a bowl and place in the fridge for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove from fridge and pour through a fine mesh sieve sitting over a medium saucepan, pressing cereal with a wooden spoon to extract as much milk into the saucepan as possible.
- Place saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and salt and stir constantly, until the mixture just reaches the point of simmer.
- While the milk is heating, lightly whisk yolks in a separate medium bowl. Once milk is at point of simmer, slowly pour about half of it into the bowl with the egg yolks, whisking all the time. Then pour the egg/milk mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk.
- With the heat on low, continue stirring until mixture thickens up and coats the back of your spoon (it should be about 170 degrees if you're using a thermometer). Remove from heat.
- Pour heavy cream into a separate large bowl. Strain the egg/milk mixture through a fine mesh sieve into the heavy cream, continuing to whisk. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, making sure plastic wrap is touching the top of the cream mixture, and move to fridge for at least 4 hours.
- When the mixture is chilled, process it in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions. When ice cream is almost done processing, add in marshmallow fluff and extra cup of Lucky Charms marshmallows.
- Scoop ice cream into airtight containers and place in freezer for at least 6 hours.
Marshmallow Fluff
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat egg white, corn syrup, and salt on high speed for 4-5 minutes until mixture thickens quite a bit. The mixture will have started clear, but after beating, it will turn bright white.
- Beat in confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and cream of tartar on low speed, until combined.
- Store marshmallow fluff in airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. You'll have a little bit left over after mixing 1 ½ cups into ice cream.
View Web Story for this recipe.
Susan says
You can buy just the marshmallows online. I haven't done it yet because I fear that I would consume them all, and because I feel like it takes some of the fun out of hunting for them in the cereal.
Just search for "cereal marshmallows. I think they are even available through Amazon.
Beth says
Maybe I do need some of this ice-cream to make me feel young again because I really can't believe you're turning 30! How can I possibly be old enough to have a little sister who is that old? Impossible! Thanks for the well wishes... your ice-cream, as usual, looks amazing!
Meghan says
I definitely feel younger than I am! We were never allowed sugar cereals growing up, just Cheerios or plain rice/wheat puffs, so I need to catch up. 🙂 This ice cream is so fun.
Shannon says
haha, i always picked out the marshmallows first 🙂
Joanne says
I could kiss you for this. ANd it's definitely proof that no matter how old we get, we'll always be kids at heart!
Odetta says
Holy moly you are genius. The more marshmallow the merrier!!!!
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
As someone who used to pick out the charms, this is the best of all possible worlds! I turn 31 tomorrow and can't decide how old I feel. Definitely older than 28... but a real adult? not so sure.... 🙂
Victoria says
Awesome!! I actually have had cereal milk ice cream at momofuku (I think it was a simple cornflake flavor on that particular day) and thought it was really cool. I LOVE the Lucky Charms idea, especially with the added fluff and marshmallows at the end. And don't worry about getting older, I'm in the same boat as you and I forget things like it's nobody's business, haha.
alexa - cleveland's a plum says
i would like a pint of this to be sent to me, please and thank you!
OliePants says
I probably feel older than I am - I don't know why. I have always felt like that. I actually hated Lucky Charms when I was younger, but I had it last year and mentally yelled at my younger self. This is a great ice cream combo!!
Ashley says
When I have to give my age, I usually have this moment of "I know I'm past 21, but how many years older than 21 am I? I can't remember..." Then I'll blurt out a number and hope that I'm right! It certainly feels like I'm a young kid playing at being a grownup. At least until I'm paying bills. Ugh.
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
Oh my gosh YUM!
melissa@IWasBornToCook says
Okay, my daughter would go nuts if I made this for her!
Gia Grossman says
I read the Alice book too. Loved it but have been freaking out ever since.
I'm in love with this ice cream. Legitimately swoon-y in love.
sarah k. @ the pajama chef says
i definitely feel younger than i am too. i've been married for 3 1/2 years and it STILL feels like we're playing house. haha
Pam says
My kids would LOVE this! Actually, so would I!
Elizabeth says
Hahaha, amen to the still looking like 16. I was out with classmates the other night and a guy came up to us and asked if we were from Stern and we said yes. He then turned to me and asked if I was an undergrad :/
Michelle Collins says
This post has me craving Lucky Charms! I used to love that cereal as a kid.
Mal @ The Chic Geek says
That's hilarious, I just said almost the same thing to my husband the other day "I don't feel old enough to be married, sometimes it just feels like we're playing pretend..." It's weird sometimes to think about being a grown up.
This ice cream is the perfect way to channel your inner child, yum!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I want lucky charms now! haha. This looks amazing!
Julia says
This is a great unusual idea for an icecream! I recently discovered I have an icecream machine, so I am trying all sorts of recipes.
Susan says
There is something about that ice cream that puts a smile on your face! Sort of like confetti cake 🙂 I think it's such a cute idea and perfect for a birthday party or any day!
Mary says
I concentrating on this glorious and fun ice cream. Old people don't talk about age or the speed with which time flies :-). Your photos are gorgeous and your ice cream demands to be tried. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary
Julie Q says
I don't know what is better.. the taste of the actual ice cream- or every single picture in this post?? For real, I scrolled up and down.. TWICE
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
What a fun way to use cereal!
Lourdes says
Hi! My boys can't wait for me to try this recipe. I've used marshmallow fluff in homemade ice cream before and the texture was tough when frozen. Did you have this issue? I did use store bought fluff, though.
Sues says
@Lourdes- I had no problem with the fluff getting tough when frozen- it blended in really well. It definitely might have something to do with store-bought vs. homemade. Also, I blended mine well with the ice cream machine, so that might have helped, too. Let me know how your ice cream comes out! ! 🙂
Sandi says
What a fun recipe. I love that cereal.
Kristina says
Doesn't this just bring out the kid in ya! What a fun dessert to celebrate birthdays or St. Patty's day or just because!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
Wow, I have never seen anything like this it's so creative. I know my kids would love this and it's a perfect treat for Easter time!
Jessica Formicola says
I made this last night and it was incredible! Such a fun flavor that everyone loved!
Noelle says
What a great way to add the lucky charms flavor into the ice cream instead of just putting them on top!
Melissa Griffiths says
Ooooo my kids will DIE over this!
Racheal says
This ice cream recipe is so fun. My daughter will love this too. It seems so cute.