Cookie Dough Snickers & Reese’s Ice Cream Dream: A Decadent Dessert Recipe

Introduction

Who doesn’t love ice cream on a hot day, or as a sweet treat after dinner? But sometimes, regular vanilla or chocolate just isn’t enough. You want something more exciting, more indulgent, and more packed with flavor. That’s where this Cookie Dough Snickers & Reese’s Ice Cream Dream comes in. A true dessert lover’s dream, this recipe takes all the best things about candy bars, cookie dough, and ice cream, and combines them into one glorious, no-churn dessert.

If you’re someone who loves Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and cookie dough, this is about to become your new favorite ice cream recipe. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also incredibly easy to make—no ice cream maker required! Just a bit of prep and a few hours in the freezer, and you’ll be rewarded with the most luxurious homemade ice cream you’ve ever tasted. It’s packed with all the things we love about candy bars: chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, and crispy textures, all wrapped up in a smooth, creamy base.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through each step of creating this indulgent dessert from scratch, offer some variations to customize it to your preferences, and answer some frequently asked questions to ensure you get the perfect result every time.

Ingredients

Before you dive into this delicious ice cream recipe, let’s take a quick look at all the ingredients you’ll need. Don’t worry, most of these items are common pantry and fridge staples, so you likely already have some of them on hand. The best part is that this is a no-churn ice cream, which means you don’t need any special equipment like an ice cream maker—just some bowls, a spoon, and your freezer.

For the Ice Cream Base:

2 cups heavy cream: The cream gives this ice cream its rich, velvety texture.
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk: This sweetened condensed milk acts as the perfect base for your ice cream, making it incredibly creamy and sweet.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.
Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.

For the Cookie Dough:

½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Butter is the base for the cookie dough and gives it that perfect chewy texture.
½ cup brown sugar, packed: Brown sugar adds a rich, caramel-like flavor to the dough.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: This ingredient helps flavor the dough and gives it a subtle sweet aroma.
1 cup all-purpose flour: The main dry ingredient for the dough, providing structure.
¼ teaspoon salt: To bring out the sweetness of the brown sugar and balance the flavors.
½ cup mini chocolate chips: Chocolate chips are a must in cookie dough, giving the dough an extra layer of flavor and texture.

For the Candy Mix-ins:

1 ½ cups Snickers, chopped into bite-sized pieces: Snickers bars add a perfect mix of chewy caramel, peanuts, and chocolate—essential for this dessert.
1 ½ cups Reese’s peanut butter cups, chopped into pieces: Reese’s bring that rich peanut butter flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate and caramel in Snickers.
1 cup mini chocolate chips: These tiny morsels of chocolate add an extra layer of chocolatey goodness throughout the ice cream.
½ cup caramel sauce, optional: If you want to go the extra mile, drizzle in some caramel sauce for an even richer taste.

Directions

Step 1: Making the Cookie Dough

Cream together the butter and sugar: Start by placing the softened butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth—this should take about 2-3 minutes.
Add vanilla and mix: Add the vanilla extract and continue mixing until combined.
Combine the dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the dough.
Add the chocolate chips: Stir in the mini chocolate chips by hand to ensure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Roll into small balls: Use your hands to roll the dough into small, 1-inch balls. These don’t need to be perfect; they’ll be chopped up later. Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Freeze the cookie dough: Freeze the dough balls for at least 30 minutes or until they become firm. This will ensure they hold their shape when mixed into the ice cream base.

Step 2: Prepare the Ice Cream Base

Whisk the base ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Whisk them together until fully combined.
Whip the cream: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, whip the mixture on medium-high speed for about 3-5 minutes. You’re aiming for soft peaks—this means the mixture should thicken slightly but still be spreadable.
Pour into a container: Once your ice cream base is ready, pour it into a freezer-safe container. Make sure the container is large enough to hold all the ingredients, as you’ll be adding quite a bit of mix-ins later.

Step 3: Add the Cookie Dough and Candy Mix-ins

Mix in the frozen cookie dough: Gently fold the frozen cookie dough balls into the ice cream base. You want to ensure the dough is evenly spread throughout but don’t stir too much to avoid breaking up the dough.
Add the Snickers and Reese’s: Fold in the chopped Snickers and Reese’s peanut butter cups, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the ice cream.
Add extra chocolate chips: Stir in the mini chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness. You can also sprinkle some on top for a fun crunch.
Optional caramel drizzle: If you want to take this to the next level, drizzle caramel sauce into the mixture for added sweetness and flavor. You can either stir it in for a marbled effect or leave it swirled through the ice cream for a more decadent appearance.

Step 4: Freeze and Serve

Cover and freeze: Once your ice cream is fully mixed, cover the container tightly with a lid or plastic wrap to prevent ice crystals from forming. Place the container in the freezer.
Freeze for 4-6 hours: Allow the ice cream to freeze for at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, until it’s firm and scoopable.
Scoop and serve: Once frozen, use a large spoon or ice cream scoop to serve your Cookie Dough Snickers & Reese’s Ice Cream Dream. This will make a generous 6-8 servings, but if you’re as much of a fan of this treat as I am, you may want to consider doubling the recipe!

Servings and Timing

Servings:

This recipe makes about 6-8 servings, depending on how large you want your scoops to be. For larger gatherings, consider doubling the ingredients to create a bigger batch.

Timing:

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cookie dough freezing time: 30 minutes
Ice cream freezing time: 4-6 hours (overnight for best results)
Total time: About 5-7 hours, including the freezing time

Variations

While the Cookie Dough Snickers & Reese’s Ice Cream Dream recipe is already pretty indulgent, you can definitely get creative with it! Here are a few ideas for variations to make it uniquely yours:

Use different candy bars: You can switch out Snickers and Reese’s for other candy bars like Twix, Milky Way, or Butterfingers. The sky’s the limit!
Add crushed cookies: If you’re a cookie fan, why not add some crushed Oreos or chocolate chip cookies for an added crunch? This can add even more texture and flavor.
Go nuts: Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the mix to give your ice cream a toasty, nutty flavor that complements the sweetness.
Peanut-free version: If you’re allergic to peanuts or just don’t enjoy them, you can substitute Reese’s peanut butter cups with chocolate-covered caramel candies or even white chocolate chips for a different flavor profile.

Storage and Reheating

Storage:

Keep your ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer. It will last up to 1-2 weeks. However, it’s so delicious, it probably won’t last that long!
For the best texture, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving if it’s been frozen for an extended period.

Reheating:

Since this is homemade ice cream, it doesn’t require reheating. Just allow it to soften slightly before serving for easier scooping.

10 FAQs About Cookie Dough Snickers & Reese’s Ice Cream Dream

Can I use store-bought cookie dough? Yes, you can use store-bought cookie dough, but make sure it’s an edible type that’s safe to eat raw (without eggs).
Do I need an ice cream maker? No! This is a no-churn ice cream, so you don’t need an ice cream maker. It’s simple and easy to prepare at home.
Can I use other candies instead of Snickers and Reese’s? Absolutely! You can swap out the candies for others like M&Ms, Kit-Kats, or Milky Ways.
How long does it take to freeze the ice cream? Freezing time usually takes about 4-6 hours, but freezing it overnight will give the best texture.
How should I store the leftover ice cream? Store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Can I make the cookie dough edible without baking it? Yes, the cookie dough in this recipe is made without eggs, so it’s safe to eat raw.
Is this recipe gluten-free? This ice cream contains flour in the cookie dough, so it’s not gluten-free. However, you can easily swap it out for gluten-free flour if needed.
How can I make the base chocolate-flavored? You can add unsweetened cocoa powder to the cream mixture to make a chocolate ice cream base.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream? For a lighter version, you can substitute whole milk for heavy cream, but it will affect the texture, making it less rich and creamy.
Can I make a smaller batch? Yes, you can halve the ingredients if you prefer a smaller batch.

Conclusion

The Cookie Dough Snickers & Reese’s Ice Cream Dream is not just another ice cream recipe; it’s a sweet, chocolatey, and crunchy masterpiece that combines everything we love about candy, ice cream, and homemade desserts. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, hosting a party, or just looking for a delicious way to end your day, this ice cream will surely impress everyone who tries it. Best of all, it’s easy to make, requires no special equipment, and can be customized to your taste.

Don’t wait—gather your ingredients and make this dreamy dessert today!