Have you ever tasted strawberry crunch ice cream? This delicious dessert combines creamy vanilla and strawberry ice cream with crunchy, cookie pieces on the outside. It’s like having a strawberry shortcake in frozen form! In this article, we’ll show you how to make your own strawberry crunch ice cream at home. Plus, we’ll share some fun facts and tips about this popular treat that both kids and adults love.
What Is Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream?
Strawberry crunch ice cream is a special dessert that combines smooth ice cream with crunchy cookie pieces. The inside usually has vanilla and strawberry ice cream swirled together. Meanwhile, the outside has a coating of pink and white cookie crumbs that taste like strawberries and cream.
This yummy treat became popular because it reminds people of the strawberry shortcake ice cream bars sold by ice cream trucks. However, the homemade version can be even better because you can add more strawberry flavor and extra crunch!
The History of Strawberry Crunch Treats
Strawberry crunch treats started with the famous Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake bars. These bars first appeared in the 1960s and quickly became a favorite summer treat. Over time, people started creating their own versions at home, including the strawberry crunch ice cream we know today.
Why Everyone Loves Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream
People of all ages love strawberry crunch ice cream because it has different textures in one bite. First, you taste the crunchy cookie coating, then the smooth, cold ice cream inside. Also, the sweet strawberry flavor mixed with creamy vanilla creates a perfect balance that isn’t too sweet or too plain.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream
Before starting your strawberry crunch ice cream adventure, gather these simple ingredients. Most of them are probably already in your kitchen!
For the Ice Cream Base
- Vanilla ice cream
- Strawberry ice cream (or vanilla ice cream with strawberry swirl)
For the Strawberry Crunch Coating
- Golden Oreos or vanilla sandwich cookies
- Strawberry Jell-O mix (the dry powder)
- Melted butter
- Freeze-dried strawberries (optional for extra flavor)
You can find all these ingredients at your local grocery store. The freeze-dried strawberries might be in the snack section or with dried fruits.
How to Make Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Step by Step
Making strawberry crunch ice cream is fun and easy! If you love experimenting with frozen treats, you might also enjoy trying this Ninja Creami protein ice cream for a high-protein twist on homemade ice cream. Here’s a quick overview of the process:
Preparing the Crunch Coating
- Crush the vanilla cookies into small pieces
- Mix in the strawberry Jell-O powder and melted butter
- Stir until the mixture turns pink and white
Assembling Your Ice Cream
- Soften your ice cream slightly
- Press the crunch mixture onto the outside
- Freeze until firm
This is just a brief overview. The full recipe has more details to help you get the perfect result every time.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream
Want to make your strawberry crunch ice cream even better? These tips will help you create a dessert that looks and tastes amazing!
Getting the Perfect Crunch
The secret to the best strawberry crunch coating is not crushing the cookies too finely. You want some bigger pieces mixed with smaller crumbs to create different levels of crunch. Also, don’t add too much butter or the coating will get soggy instead of staying crispy.
Adding Extra Strawberry Flavor
To make your strawberry crunch ice cream taste even more like real strawberries, try these ideas:
- Add chopped freeze-dried strawberries to the crunch mixture
- Use strawberry ice cream with real strawberry pieces
- Make a quick strawberry sauce to drizzle on top
Making It Look Pretty
If you want your strawberry crunch ice cream to look nice for pictures or guests, try forming it into a round shape using a bowl lined with plastic wrap. Then cover the whole thing with the crunch mixture for a beautiful pink and white dessert.
Serving Ideas for Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream
Once you’ve made your strawberry crunch ice cream, there are many fun ways to serve it! Here are some ideas that will make this treat even more special.
Sundae Bar
Create a strawberry crunch sundae bar with different toppings like:
- Fresh strawberries
- Whipped cream
- Strawberry sauce
- Extra crunch coating
- Sprinkles
This is perfect for birthday parties or family dessert nights!
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Another tasty idea is making strawberry crunch ice cream sandwiches. Just place a scoop of ice cream between two cookies, then roll the edges in extra crunch mixture. Wrap them in plastic and freeze until you’re ready to eat them.
Milkshakes
Turn your strawberry crunch ice cream into a delicious milkshake! Just blend a few scoops with a splash of milk, then top with whipped cream and more crunch coating. You can even add a strawberry on top.
Storing Your Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream
After making your strawberry crunch ice cream, you’ll want to store it properly to keep that perfect texture. Here’s how:
Freezer Storage Tips
Store your strawberry crunch ice cream in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn. You can keep individual servings in smaller containers for quick snacks. The ice cream will stay fresh for about 2 weeks if stored properly.
Keeping the Crunch Crispy
The biggest challenge with storing strawberry crunch ice cream is keeping the coating crunchy. To help with this, you can store extra crunch mixture separately and add it just before serving. This gives you that fresh-made crunch every time!
Make-Ahead Options
If you’re planning a party, you can make strawberry crunch ice cream up to one week in advance. Just keep it in the freezer until about 10 minutes before serving. This gives it time to soften slightly for the perfect scooping texture.
Variations of Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream
The classic strawberry crunch ice cream is amazing, but there are many ways to change it up! Try these variations to find your favorite version.
Chocolate Strawberry Crunch
Add a layer of chocolate ice cream to create a neapolitan-style dessert. You can also mix cocoa powder into part of your crunch mixture for a chocolate-strawberry coating.
Strawberry Cheesecake Crunch
Use cheesecake-flavored ice cream instead of vanilla for a tangy twist. Add crushed graham crackers to your crunch mixture to create a strawberry cheesecake flavor.
Dairy-Free Version
If you can’t have dairy, you can still enjoy strawberry crunch ice cream! Use your favorite dairy-free vanilla and strawberry ice creams. The crunch coating is usually dairy-free except for the butter, which you can replace with melted coconut oil.
Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream for Special Occasions
Strawberry crunch ice cream isn’t just for everyday treats it’s perfect for special occasions too! Here’s how to make it extra special.
Birthday Party Ideas
Make strawberry crunch ice cream cake by layering the ice cream in a cake pan with crunch mixture between layers. Freeze it solid, then cover the outside with more crunch coating and decorate with fresh strawberries.
Summer Celebrations
For summer parties, make individual strawberry crunch ice cream cups. Use small paper cups, fill them with ice cream, add a popsicle stick, and cover with crunch coating. Freeze until firm, then peel away the paper for a fun hand-held treat.
Holiday Desserts
For holidays like Valentine’s Day or the 4th of July, strawberry crunch ice cream makes a festive dessert. Shape it into hearts for Valentine’s Day, or serve it alongside blueberry desserts for a red, white, and blue theme. If you’re planning a full dessert spread, consider adding this rich and indulgent chocolate coffee cake to the menu for a delicious contrast of flavors.
Health Benefits of Strawberries in Your Ice Cream
While ice cream is definitely a treat, the strawberries in strawberry crunch ice cream do offer some health benefits!
Nutritional Value of Strawberries
Strawberries are full of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. They’re also relatively low in calories compared to other sweet treats. When you use real strawberries or freeze-dried strawberries in your ice cream, you’re adding these nutrients to your dessert.
Healthier Alternatives
If you want a slightly healthier version of strawberry crunch ice cream, try:
- Using Greek yogurt instead of some of the ice cream
- Making your own strawberry puree from fresh berries instead of using Jell-O
- Using whole grain cookies for the crunch coating
These changes won’t make it a health food, but they do add some nutritional benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream
What’s in Millennium Crunch ice cream?
Millennium Crunch ice cream, which is similar to strawberry crunch, typically contains vanilla ice cream with a strawberry swirl and cookie pieces mixed throughout. The commercial version often includes vanilla ice cream, strawberry sauce, and honey-flavored biscuit pieces for that signature crunch. Our homemade strawberry crunch ice cream recipe gives you a similar taste but with even more crunch on the outside!
What is the strawberry shortcake ice cream made of?
Strawberry shortcake ice cream is made of vanilla ice cream, strawberry ice cream or strawberry swirl, and cookie crumbles that taste like shortcake. The commercial ice cream bars have a coating of pink and white cookie crumbs that give them their name. Our strawberry crunch ice cream recipe follows this same idea but allows you to control the ingredients and make it even tastier.
What is on the outside of strawberry shortcake ice cream?
The outside of strawberry shortcake ice cream is coated with a mixture of pink and white cookie crumbles. These crumbles are made from vanilla cookies mixed with strawberry flavoring (usually from strawberry Jell-O powder) and a little butter to help them stick. This coating gives the ice cream its signature “crunch” and adds a burst of strawberry flavor with every bite.
What is strawberry crunch made of?
Strawberry crunch coating is made of crushed vanilla sandwich cookies (like Golden Oreos), strawberry Jell-O powder, and a little melted butter to bind it together. Some recipes also add freeze-dried strawberries for extra flavor. The cookie pieces stay partly crunchy even when frozen, creating that perfect contrast with the smooth ice cream inside. You can use this same crunch mixture on cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts too!
Conclusion: Why You Should Try Making Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream
Strawberry crunch ice cream brings together the best of both worlds: smooth, creamy ice cream and crunchy, flavorful cookies. It’s a treat that makes everyone smile, from kids to grandparents. Plus, making it at home means you can customize it exactly how you like it.
Next time you’re craving something sweet, cold, and delicious, skip the store-bought ice cream and try making this strawberry crunch version instead. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll create a dessert that tastes like summer in every bite. So gather your ingredients, have fun in the kitchen, and enjoy the sweet rewards of your strawberry crunch ice cream creation!
Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Food Processor or Rolling Pin
- Ninja Creami (Optional)
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream (softened slightly)
- 2 cups strawberry ice cream (or vanilla ice cream with strawberry swirl)
Strawberry Crunch Coating
- 20 Golden Oreos (or vanilla sandwich cookies, crushed)
- 3 tbsp strawberry Jell-O mix (dry powder)
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries (optional, crushed for extra flavor)
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the Golden Oreos into small crumbs. If using a rolling pin, place cookies in a sealed bag and crush them.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed cookies with the strawberry Jell-O powder, melted butter, and freeze-dried strawberries (if using). Mix until fully combined.
- Spread half of the vanilla ice cream in a loaf pan or freezer-safe container. Add a layer of strawberry ice cream on top. Repeat with another layer of each.
- Press the strawberry crunch mixture onto the top and sides of the ice cream. Make sure it’s evenly coated for maximum crunch.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until firm. For best results, freeze overnight.
- Remove from freezer 5-10 minutes before serving. Scoop and enjoy!