The internet’s favorite shortcut is back! And this time, it’s in loaf form. If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen creators mixing ice cream and flour into a pan, tossing it into the oven, and pulling out a golden loaf that looks way too good to be that simple. That’s right, this ice cream bread recipe is going viral for a reason, and today I’m breaking down how to make it at home, plus how I added my own twist.
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How TikTok Made Me Try Ice Cream Bread
Hi, I’m Saly. I’m a wife, a home cook, and I have to admit—TikTok got me on this one. I kept seeing videos of people dumping melted ice cream into bowls, adding flour, and baking it into bread. At first, I thought, “There’s no way that works.” But then curiosity won.
So I tried it. I grabbed a tub of vanilla bean, stirred it into self-rising flour, and baked it up. What came out? A soft, tender, slightly sweet loaf that made my husband do a double take. He took a bite and said, “This has ice cream in it?” And then he finished two slices before I could even grab a photo.
From that first loaf, I was hooked. I started playing with other flavors, strawberry, butter pecan, even mint chip. Some turned out better than others, but the method? Always easy. Two ingredients. One bowl. A quick bake. If you’ve got 5 minutes and a half-melted carton of ice cream, you’ve got a snack.
This is exactly the kind of recipe that made me launch Dailycious Recipes. I wanted a place to share these quick, flavor-packed ideas that don’t require a culinary degree or a 10-step prep list. Just like our peach cobbler cookies or these lemon pound cake cookies, this ice cream bread recipe fits the Dailycious vibe: fast, flavorful, homemade.
Why Is Everyone Obsessed with Ice Cream Bread?
Because it’s so easy, and it tastes like something you actually worked hard on. The magic happens when you combine softened ice cream – full of sugar, fat, and flavor – with self-rising flour, which takes care of the structure and lift. You don’t need extra sugar, butter, baking powder, or eggs. Just two ingredients, stirred together and baked.
Each flavor of ice cream brings its own twist. Use vanilla if you want a basic loaf that can go sweet or savory. Go bold with chocolate or fruity versions for something more playful. Top it with sprinkles, swirl in chocolate chips, or go full breakfast and turn slices into French toast.
If you’ve tried sweet shortcuts like strawberry crunch cookies or pineapple upside-down sugar cookies, you know the power of a no-fuss, no-fail recipe. Ice cream bread belongs right in that category.
TikTok may have made it trend, but once you try it, you’ll keep coming back. Let’s get into how to make the perfect ice cream bread recipe that’s as good as it looks online.
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Ice Cream Bread Recipe
This trending ice cream bread recipe is the easiest loaf you’ll ever bake. Just two ingredients and 5 minutes of prep for a sweet, soft, flavorful bread that’s perfect as dessert or breakfast.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8 slices) 1x
Ingredients
2 cups full-fat softened ice cream (vanilla, strawberry, or flavor of choice)
1½ cups self-rising flour
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard 8×4-inch loaf pan.
2. Let the ice cream soften at room temperature (do not microwave).
3. In a mixing bowl, combine softened ice cream with self-rising flour.
4. Stir gently until just combined—do not overmix.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
6. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan before slicing.
8. Serve warm, toasted, or at room temperature.
Notes
Avoid low-fat or sugar-free ice cream—texture will suffer.
Customize with mix-ins like chocolate chips, sprinkles, or crushed cookies.
Use homemade self-rising flour if needed: 1 cup all-purpose + 1½ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp salt.
Great toasted with butter or turned into French toast slices.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Quick Breads
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 149
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 324mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
The Magic Duo: Ice Cream and Self-Rising Flour
Here’s the beauty of this ice cream bread recipe, it only takes two ingredients to create a fluffy, moist, slightly sweet loaf that’s surprisingly versatile:
- Softened Ice Cream: Any full-fat, regular ice cream will work. Avoid low-fat, sugar-free, or dairy-free versions unless you’re okay with experimenting and possibly sacrificing texture. Vanilla is a great base, but if you’re feeling adventurous, try strawberry, pistachio, or even cookies and cream.
- Self-Rising Flour: This is where the structure and rise come from. It already contains baking powder and salt, so don’t substitute with plain all-purpose flour unless you add your own leavening. (We’ll explain how in a second.)
Want to use what you already have in your pantry? Here’s how to make self-rising flour at home:
| Homemade Self-Rising Flour | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Baking powder | 1 ½ tsp |
| Salt | ¼ tsp |
This mix replaces one cup of store-bought self-rising flour. Just multiply as needed for your batch.
If you love simple baking hacks like this, check out our cottage cheese cloud bread, another two-ingredient wonder that’s just as surprising.
Tips for Perfect Texture Every Time
This recipe is easy, but a few small tricks can make the difference between a fluffy loaf and a dense one.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir until just combined. Overworking the batter can make the bread tough instead of tender.
- Use Full-Fat Ice Cream: It bakes better and gives a richer crumb. The fat helps carry the flavor and creates a moist texture.
- Let the Ice Cream Soften: Room temperature is perfect. Don’t microwave it, or you might separate the fat and water, which affects the rise.
- Grease the Pan Well: Ice cream already has sugar, which caramelizes. A greased and floured loaf pan prevents sticking and helps with a golden crust.
- Bake Time Matters: Around 35–40 minutes at 350°F usually does the trick, but every oven is different. A toothpick should come out clean when it’s done.
Want more easy breakfast bakes? Our mochi buttermilk pancakes and blueberry pancake casserole are two more crowd-pleasers that keep mornings sweet and simple.
Get Creative with Your Ice Cream Bread Recipe
One of the best things about this ice cream bread recipe is that it’s endlessly customizable. Since the base is so simple, just softened ice cream and self-rising flour, you can completely change the taste by switching up the flavor of ice cream.
Want something fruity? Use strawberry or cherry. Craving something bold? Try chocolate or mocha fudge. Prefer a fun, colorful twist? Birthday cake or cotton candy ice cream creates a vibrant loaf kids love.
Below are a few delicious ice cream flavors that work really well in this viral ice cream bread recipe:
- Vanilla Bean: Classic and perfect for mix-ins like chocolate chips or chopped nuts.
- Strawberry: Adds a soft pink color and light fruity flavor.
- Mint Chocolate Chip: A refreshing spin with built-in chocolate chunks.
- Cookies and Cream: A hit with kids and Oreo lovers alike.
- Butter Pecan: Adds richness and a nutty undertone, ideal for breakfast.
The beauty of this ice cream bread recipe is that the flavor really shines through after baking. You’re not masking it with extra sugar or frosting. The loaf becomes a showcase for the ice cream itself.
Need more ideas for easy desserts with big flavor? Try these lemon poke pudding cake or our reader-favorite banana pudding poke cake.
Add-Ins That Make Your Ice Cream Bread Even Better
Once you’ve chosen your base flavor, you can take your ice cream bread recipe up a notch with the right mix-ins. These extras create texture, enhance taste, and make the loaf feel more homemade, even though it’s still just two ingredients at the core.
Here are some tried-and-true add-ins that pair perfectly with this ice cream bread recipe:
- Chocolate chips: Mini or regular, they melt into sweet pockets throughout the loaf.
- Rainbow sprinkles: Stir them in for a birthday-cake-style bread that’s fun and festive.
- Crushed cookies: Oreos, graham crackers, or vanilla wafers add crunch and nostalgia.
- Chopped nuts: Walnuts, pecans, or almonds add texture and make the bread feel more substantial.
- Fruit swirls: A spoonful of jam or lemon curd swirled through the batter gives a bakery-style finish.
Keep your total mix-ins to about ½ cup to avoid weighing down the loaf. Stir them in just before baking so they’re evenly distributed.
How to Serve Your Ice Cream Bread Recipe
This ice cream bread recipe may have only two ingredients, but it can be served a dozen different ways. It’s sweet enough to enjoy as dessert but subtle enough to double as a fun breakfast loaf. The texture is soft and dense, almost like pound cake, and it slices beautifully.
Here are some of our favorite serving options:
- Warm with butter: Right out of the oven or lightly toasted, it melts in your mouth.
- As French toast: Slice thick and soak in an egg mixture, then griddle it to golden perfection.
- Topped with whipped cream: Add fruit or a drizzle of honey for a fast dessert.
- With ice cream (yes, again!): Vanilla or chocolate on a warm slice makes it ultra indulgent.
If you loved the playfulness of our mochi buttermilk pancakes, you’ll appreciate the versatility of this bread. It can be casual or fancy depending on how you serve it.
Don’t forget: your ice cream bread recipe also makes a fantastic addition to brunch spreads or quick sweet snacks for the kids. The flavor is familiar but unexpected enough to spark conversation around the table.
How to Store & Freeze This Viral Loaf
Storing your finished ice cream bread is just as simple as making it. Because the ingredients are rich and moist, the loaf keeps well for several days with the right wrap.
Room Temperature:
Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic or store in an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh for about 3–4 days on the counter.
Refrigerator:
To extend shelf life, refrigerate your loaf. It can last up to a week chilled, but be sure to bring slices to room temperature or give them a quick toast before eating.
Freezer:
This bread freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices in wax paper or plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag. Pull out what you need, toast or microwave, and enjoy.
Bonus: Toasted frozen slices of your ice cream bread recipe make incredible bases for sweet breakfast sandwiches, try one with peanut butter and banana!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ice cream bread taste like to eat?
It tastes like a soft, slightly sweet quick bread, think pound cake meets breakfast loaf. The flavor depends entirely on the ice cream you use. Vanilla gives you a basic base that can go either way (sweet or lightly savory), while chocolate, strawberry, or cookies and cream add their own personality. The result is tender and rich, without being overly sugary.
Can I make ice cream bread with all-purpose flour?
You can, but you’ll need to turn it into self-rising flour first. Simply add 1½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt per cup of all-purpose flour. Without this adjustment, your ice cream bread won’t rise properly and could come out dense or gummy.
Can I use different types of flour in this ice cream bread recipe?
Yes, but results will vary depending on what you use. This ice cream bread recipe is designed for self-rising flour because it includes baking powder and salt. If you’re using all-purpose flour, you’ll need to add those yourself. Gluten-free blends can work too, as long as they include a leavening agent. Almond flour or coconut flour are not recommended on their own, they absorb moisture differently and won’t give you the same structure or rise. Always stick to flours meant for quick breads to keep the texture soft and sliceable.
What are the two ingredients in ice cream pancakes?
Like this bread, ice cream pancakes are made with just two ingredients: melted ice cream and self-rising flour. The concept is similar; you’re using the fat, sugar, and dairy from the ice cream as your wet base. The result? Soft, fluffy pancakes that taste like your favorite frozen dessert.
Final Thoughts: A Viral Recipe Worth Keeping
This ice cream bread recipe may have started as a TikTok trend, but it’s earned a permanent spot in our kitchen. It’s fun, fast, and surprisingly flexible, with just two ingredients, you can whip up a loaf that looks and tastes like something from a bakery. Whether you’re using it as a dessert, a breakfast treat, or a clever way to use up melting ice cream, this recipe delivers every time.
So next time your freezer surprises you with a half-empty tub, don’t toss it, bake it. And if you try this at home, I’d love to hear what flavor you used and how it turned out.
Just like with our cottage cheese cloud bread and strawberry crunch cookies, this one proves that great recipes don’t have to be complicated, they just have to be delicious.
Hungry for more? Make sure to join me on Facebook and Pinterest to keep the inspiration going.
