Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream

Jul 31, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Extract Medium

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

Rich chocolate ice cream blended with tart cherries and real vanilla creates a creamy, indulgent frozen treat with a bright cherry finish.

Prep 30 min

Cook —

Cooling 4 hr

Total 4 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 (50.0 g)unsweetened cocoa powder
1.0 cup (150.0 g)fresh or frozen pitted cherries
2.0 tbsp (30.0 ml)cherry liqueur or cherry syrup, optional

Make it at home

As an Amazon Associate, VanillaGoods earns from qualifying purchases. We only suggest tools that fit this recipe.

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, whisk together whole milk, granulated sugar, fine sea salt, and unsweetened cocoa powder until smooth.
Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot but not boiling, about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream and pure vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or until completely cold.
While the base chills, prepare the cherries by chopping fresh or thawed frozen cherries into halves or quarters depending on size.
If using, mix the chopped cherries with cherry liqueur or cherry syrup, and let macerate for about 15 minutes to enhance flavor.
Pour the chilled chocolate vanilla base into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency, about 20-25 minutes.
During the last 5 minutes of churning, add the cherries and continue churning to evenly distribute them throughout the ice cream.
Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up before serving.

Tips

Use a whole vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract for a stronger vanilla flavor.
To prevent ice crystals, make sure the ice cream base is thoroughly chilled before churning.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make chocolate cherry ice cream?

Plan on 30 minutes of prep, plus 4 hours to chill. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store chocolate cherry ice cream?

Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Let soften at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping.

Can I make chocolate cherry ice cream ahead?

The chocolate-vanilla ice cream base can be made up to 2 days in advance and kept chilled in the refrigerator 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 chocolate ice cream blended with tart cherries and real vanilla creates a creamy, indulgent frozen treat with a bright cherry finish.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

336 Calories / serving

23.3g Fat

31.7g Carbs

3.9g Protein

27.7g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~2688 cal · 186g fat · 254g carbs · 31g protein · 222g sugar

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

Per serving · 336 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 64 min·3.7 mi·~7500 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 46 min·2.3 mi·~4600 steps
Moderate cycling 34 min·6.8 mi
Swimming laps 47 min
Jogging 33 min·2.8 mi·~5300 steps
Stair climbing 31 min·~2800 steps
Dancing 55 min
Bodyweight circuit training 34 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 78 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

Browse available VanillaGoods products below. Check each product's origin and form against the ingredient list; these recommendations do not change the recipe's quantities or preparation method.