This Lucky Charms ice cream recipe is a homemade cereal milk-flavored ice cream layered with marshmallow fluff and colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows. It’s easy to make in the ice cream machine. There are only 4 ingredients in the ice cream base!
You know it’s a special occasion when I bust out my ice cream maker. In the past, I’ve made strawberry ice cream and peach maple walnut ice cream. Today, we’re using it to make Lucky Charms ice cream! The base of the ice cream is a cool and creamy cereal milk-flavored ice cream made from part heavy cream and part whole milk. It’s layered with swirls of marshmallow fluff and heaps of Lucky Charms marshmallows. If you were one to separate the Lucky Charms marshmallows from the cereal, this easy homemade ice cream recipe is for you!
Homemade Lucky Charms Ice Cream (Inspired by Salt & Straw)
One of my favorite ice cream shops, Salt and Straw, released a monthly flavor called Pot of Gold and Rainbows. It’s their version of a cereal milk ice cream filled with Lucky Charms marshmallows. Here’s why I love this homemade version:
- Marshmallow ribbons. My version of this ice cream is different in that it’s also loaded with marshmallow fluff. The marshmallow fluff doesn’t freeze all the way, and it helps keep the ice cream soft.
- Simple ingredients. You only need 4 ingredients for the base. With the marshmallow fluff added, it’s the same ice cream base I used in my s’mores peanut butter cup ice cream.
- Ice cream maker magic. You will need your ice cream machine for this recipe (so don’t forget to freeze it ahead of time!). It makes the recipe super seamless. If you’re looking for a dessert that doesn’t require an ice cream maker, I recommend my no-churn birthday cake ice cream or this brownie batter ice cream.
Ingredient Notes
These are the key ingredients needed to make your ice cream base and turn it into Lucky Charms ice cream! Scroll to the recipe card for the full list and exact amounts.
- Whole Milk – You’ll heat the milk with sugar and salt, then chill it to add to the ice cream batter.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar is best for a bright white ice cream color, but light brown sugar will also work in a pinch.
- Lucky Charms Cereal– you’ll need both the cereal and the marshmallows
- Heavy Whipping Cream – Make sure to use full-fat heavy cream made for whipping, and not pouring cream or low-fat versions.
- Marshmallow Crème– I use Jet-Puffed marshmallow crème, but any brand of marshmallow fluff works.
Use Full-Fat Dairy
Full-fat heavy cream and whole milk are essential for creamy, smooth ice cream. Low-fat dairy has a higher water content that freezes into ice crystals, making the ice cream icy. If you don’t have whole milk, I’d suggest using all heavy cream instead rather than trying to substitute a lower-fat alternative.
Where to Find Lucky Charms Marshmallows
The easiest place to find Lucky Charms marshmallows is in the box of cereal! While you can get offshoot brands on Amazon, I can’t vouch for the quality, so I’d rather just buy the cereal. You only need one box of cereal for this recipe and you’ll have plenty leftover.
Another option is to buy dehydrated marshmallows and skip the cereal altogether. Since I originally posted this recipe, the Lucky Charms brand released a limited-edition “Just the Marshmallows” pack. You can find it on Amazon, but I’ve heard you can also find them in grocery or big box stores.
Tips for Making Lucky Charms Ice Cream
- Pre-freeze the ice cream maker. Many ice cream makers require freezing several hours ahead of time, or even a day in advance. Double-check the directions for your particular machine.
- Separate the marshmallows. You’ll need about 1 cup of marshmallows and 1 cup of the Lucky Charms cereal. I grind the cereal into crumbs to infuse the milk base. This is the ice cream’s “cereal milk” flavor! You’ll mix the marshmallows in at the end.
- Fully dissolve the sugar. Make sure that the sugar completely dissolves into the heated milk. If it hasn’t fully dissolved, the ice cream may be grainy. Also be sure to allow the hot milk mixture at least 30 minutes to cool before you make your ice cream.
- Strain the liquid base. Do this after you’ve refrigerated the cereal-infused milk base. Straining catches any leftover cereal crumbs that weren’t absorbed by the milk.
- Layer the ice cream. Layer the ice cream into the pan in thirds, with marshmallow fluff and Lucky Charms marshmallows in between each layer. Use a knife to swirl the fluff into the ice cream, then sprinkle the Charms on top. Repeat with the remaining layers of ice cream.
- Freeze the ice cream for long enough. Your Lucky Charms ice cream will need to freeze for at least 4 hours before you serve it. Otherwise, I find that the ice cream is a bit too soft.
The Best Containers for Homemade Ice Cream
You’ll find specialty ice cream containers from brands like Williams Sonoma (that’s where I purchased mine), but you can store ice cream in any freezer-safe, airtight container. Even a loaf pan does the trick, and you can seal it with plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface of the ice cream. This prevents an icy layer from forming.
How to Store
- Keep frozen. Once the ice cream is stored airtight, keep it in the freezer. I find that this Lucky Charms ice cream is at its best within the first 3 days, but it’ll last for up to 1 week.
More Ice Cream Recipes
Lucky Charms Ice Cream
- Prep Time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Ice Cream
- Method: Ice Cream Maker
- Cuisine: American
Description
This homemade Lucky Charms ice cream recipe is a cereal milk-flavored ice cream layered with swirls of marshmallow fluff and colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (236ml) whole milk
- ¾ cup (143g) granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup Lucky Charms cereal (just the cereal)
- 2 cups (473ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (13 oz jar) marshmallow creme
- 1 cup Lucky Charms dehydrated marshmallows
Instructions
- Pre-freeze your ice cream maker attachment as directed. Sometimes this needs to be done a day in advance, so double-check just to be sure.
- Separate the dehydrated marshmallows from the Lucky Charms cereal. You’ll need 1 cup of the cereal itself and 1 cup of the marshmallows to mix into the ice cream.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, heat 1 cup whole milk with ¾ cups sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir over medium-high heat just until it starts to bubble, and the sugar is dissolved. Let the mixture cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Take 1 cup of the Lucky Charms cereal, without the marshmallows, and pulse in a food processor until it’s a fine crumb consistency.
- Next, combine the 2 cups of heavy whipping cream with the milk mixture, cereal crumbs, and vanilla extract. Whisk to combine, then refrigerate until the mixture is cooled completely.
- When you are ready to make the ice cream, strain the liquid base through a fine sieve to catch the cereal that did not absorb into the milk.
- Once the ice cream maker is chilled and ready to go, pour the cream base into the ice cream maker and start churning. Chun on low speed for 10 minutes and increase to medium speed for another 5-10 minutes until the ice cream solidifies to a thick, soft-serve consistency.
- Prepare a freezer-safe container, and you’ll divide the ice cream into thirds. Layer the bottom of the pan with 1/3 of the ice cream, then add a few spoonsful of marshmallow creme and gently swirl with a knife. Then sprinkle in 1/3 of the Lucky Charms marshmallows. Repeat this step two more times. You can use as much marshmallow fluff and as many cereal charms as desired.
- Freeze for 4-6 hours before serving.
Notes
- For this recipe, I purchased a 13oz jar of marshmallow creme and used about 3/4 of the jar. You can add as much or as little as you would like
- If you prefer not to use whole milk and heavy cream, I suggest using all heavy cream.
- I would say this is best within the first 3 days, but you can store this in a freezer-safe container for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 767
- Sugar: 71g
- Sodium: 737mg
- Fat: 43.6g
- Carbohydrates: 90g
- Fiber: .5g
- Protein: 6.7g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
I made this for my neighbour and her kids but I couldn’t help keep half for myself, it was so good!
HAH! Sounds like a wise decision! So glad you enjoyed that!
I like this Recipe very much. I omitted the Vanilla, Marshmallow Creme, (because I was out of these two items), and only used some of the freeze-dried Marshmallows (because I just bought some)…I know it will be even more delicious the next time with those additions. Thank you for sharing this Recipe!
Love that Misty, thanks for sharing your updates!
Where du find the dehydrated Lucky Charms marshmallows?
Hi Patrica, if you scroll through the blog post, there’s a big heading that sayd “Where can I buy lucky charms marshmallow” and there’s a link there. But I just picked them out of the cereal.
I’m making this for my sons class as their St. Patty’s Day treat. There are 14 of them. How much does this yield?
Hi Lynn, I think 2 or 3 batches depending on how much you want to serve each person. One batch fills a large loaf pan.
This looks so good. I cannot wait to try this out. I think I’ve found my weekend ice cream making goals!
Awesome Heather!
What a fun flavor combination! 🙂
Thank you Lexi!
I live in the UK which means I’ve never had Lucky Charms but this ice cream still looks irresistible! Cereal milk is so goooooood, it belongs in everything!
Oh no Kelly! I wish I could send them to you! I agree with you on the cereal milk!
I love ice cream and I always wanted to have it in a snowfall….