Caramel Coffee Ice Cream

Jul 30, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Extract Medium

Two generous scoops of caramel coffee ice cream in a shallow ceramic bowl, softly melting at the edges

Rich and creamy caramel coffee ice cream combines the bold flavor of espresso with buttery caramel and real vanilla for a perfectly balanced frozen treat.

Prep 30 min

Cook —

Cooling 5 hr

Total 5 hr 30 min

Servings 8

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

2.0 cups (480.0 ml)heavy cream
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)whole milk
¾ cup (150.0 g)granulated sugar
⅛ tsp (0.75 g)fine sea salt
1.0 tbsp (15.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
½ cup (120.0 ml)caramel sauce
2.0 tbsp (10.0 g)instant espresso powder

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, heavy cream, sugar, and fine sea salt. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is hot but not boiling.
Remove the saucepan from heat. Whisk in the instant espresso powder until fully dissolved, then stir in the pure vanilla extract.
Pour the mixture into a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or until very cold.
Once chilled, pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions, about 25 to 30 minutes.
During the last five minutes of churning, gradually add the caramel sauce to swirl it evenly throughout the ice cream.
Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 1 hour to firm up before serving.

Tips

For a stronger coffee flavor, increase the espresso powder by 1 tbsp or use freshly brewed espresso cooled down instead.
Use high-quality caramel sauce or make your own to ensure a rich, buttery swirl that complements the coffee and vanilla.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make caramel coffee ice cream?

Plan on 30 minutes of prep, plus 5 hours to chill and freeze. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store caramel coffee ice cream?

Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Let soften a few minutes at room temperature before scooping.

Can I make caramel coffee ice cream ahead?

Prepare the base and chill up to 24 hours in advance before churning.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract (15 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Rich and creamy caramel coffee ice cream combines the bold flavor of espresso with buttery caramel and real vanilla for a perfectly balanced frozen treat.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

352 Calories / serving

24.0g Fat

32.6g Carbs

2.7g Protein

29.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~2816 cal · 192g fat · 261g carbs · 22g protein · 239g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 352 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 67 min·3.9 mi·~7850 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 48 min·2.4 mi·~4800 steps
Moderate cycling 36 min·7.2 mi
Swimming laps 49 min
Jogging 34 min·2.8 mi·~5450 steps
Stair climbing 33 min·~2950 steps
Dancing 57 min
Bodyweight circuit training 36 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 82 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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