Take all your favorite movie night snacks and turn it into ice cream! Homemade movie night ice cream is a nostalgic, comforting treat that will make your next family movie night truly memorable!
This special movie night ice cream takes all the flavors of movie night and packs it into a delicious ice cream!
An ode to my favorite movie watching companion. This unique ice cream flavor was created for my father.
Homemade ice cream does require a bit of preparation. It is a bit more time consuming than just running to store and buy a tub of your favorite ice cream.
However, there is something so rewarding and satisfying make ice cream from scratch. This is definitely one of those instances where the journey far outweighs the destination.
Ingredients
This unique ice cream flavors tarts with a butter popcorn flavored ice cream base. To make this, simply steep freshly popped popcorn in the heated milk-cream mixture. Let it steep for about 20-30 minutes, then strain out the popcorn and go about your regular ice cream making procedures.
The ice cream base is made with whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, and egg yolks. You will have to heat up the mixture to pasteurize the eggs. During the heating process, the ice cream will thicken in texture. For best flavor, let the base mature in the fridge overnight. This resting time will allow the flavors to really meld together and shine!
Customize movie night ice cream with your favorite chocolates, candies, or nuts. I used a mixture of Kit Kats, M&M’s, Milk Duds (chocolate coated caramel balls), salted peanuts, and Heath Bar (chocolate covered toffee bar).
Equally delicious mix-in options include: Crunch bar, honey roasted peanuts, trail mix, Whoppers, or chocolate covered pretzels.
Recommended Ice Cream Machines
I personally use this compressor ice cream maker. It is a bit pricier than other ice cream machines, but well worth the price if you make ice cream often.
Most ice cream makers require you to freeze the churning canister ahead of time. The compression machine doesn’t need any extra prep. Simply pour the chilled ice cream mixture into the machine. Within 35 minutes, you’ll have real deal churned ice cream!
Prior to purchasing that ice cream machine, I used to use this ice cream maker. This version requires you to chill the freezer bowl for at least 24 hours before use.
Serving Suggestions
The churned ice cream can be eaten straight from the canister. However, it will have the consistency of soft serve ice cream. For better texture, spread the churned ice cream into a freezer safe container and freeze for a few hours until thickened.
There are many freezer safe container options. Ideally, use a container with a lid or cover. An airtight freezer safe container is the best option. I like these stackable containers. Store ice cream in the coldest part of the freezer, usually the very back of the freezer. Homemade ice cream will stay fresh for about a week.
Use a nonstick aluminum scooper to easily portion out the ice cream. Serve in an ice cream cone. Or, in a bowl garnished with popcorn and your favorite crunchy candies!
More Unique Ice Cream
- Boozy Whiskey Ice Cream Float
- Maple Hazelnut Ice Cream
- Caramelized Fig Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
- No Churn Espresso Dulce de Leche
Movie Night Ice Cream
Ingredients
Butter Popcorn Ice Cream:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 ½ cup freshly popped butter popcorn
- 7 large large egg yolks
- pinch fine sea salt, or kosher salt
Mix-ins:
- ¼ cup Kit Kat bar, chopped
- ¼ cup M&Ms
- ¼ cup Milk Duds, chopped
- ¼ cup Salted peanuts
- ¼ cup Heath Bar, chopped
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring milk, cream and 2 tablespoons sugar to a boil. Once mixture has come to a boil, remove from heat. Add popcorn and stir. Cover pot and let steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain mixture and discard popcorn. Place pot over medium heat and bring to a boil, once again.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and remaining sugar. Once milk begins to boil, lower heat.
- Temper hot milk into sugar yolk mixture. Slowly add hot milk into yolks about 1/4 cup at a time, whisking to distribute heat. Continue to add milk into the yolk. Once all the milk has been added, transfer everything back into the pot.
- Stir over medium-low heat until mixture reaches nappe consistency, or 180 degrees F on a kitchen thermometer. Let sit at 180-185 degrees F for 3 minutes to pasteurize eggs.
- Transfer mixture to an airtight container and let mature in the fridge overnight.
- Freeze mixture in ice cream maker according to your unit’s instructions. Once the volume has increased by half and mixture has reached a soft serve consistency, add in about a hand full of each desired mix-ins.
- Transfer ice cream to an airtight container and let rest in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
I’m a daddy’s girl through and through. I def like to think that I’m his favorite ;). Like you and your dad, me and my daddy have so much in common it’s scary. It’s also the reason why we butt heads so much. Thank you for sharing your sweet memories with us. As for this ice cream, I have no doubt my dad would LOVE this! He loves popcorn and ice cream..and everything else ;). Your photos are so gorgeous!
Hi Min! I’m definitely a daddy’s girl, too! Thank you so much! I really appreciate it :)
First movies in theaters are always something we remember forever, aren’t they? Totally magical in that movie theater way. haha. This ice cream looks incredible! So over-the-top decadent in every good and honest way. Love love.
Pinning!
Thanks Abbie! Totally agree, there is something magical- especially when you’re a kid and your imagination is still wild and crazy :)
Home Alone is no doubt one of the best family movies! It is still amazing to watch today. The ice cream must be delicious with the savory balance from the butter popcorns. I also love the rainbow color on the ice cream. Very pretty! Enjoy a great Father’s day with your dad! :)
It’s such a classic movie with so many quotable moments! I had no idea that M&Ms would color the ice cream, such a pleasant surprise! Thank you, my dad already got to taste the ice cream and he LOVES it :)
What a brilliant idea Maryanne, and so sweet of you!
I was 7 when I went to see my first movie in the theatre: The Little Mermaid! I went with a friend and our parents dropped us off so my first trip to the movie theatre was extra exciting :D
Buttered popcorn is a typical American thing, I don’t like the smell of it at all :( In the Netherlands popcorn is also for sale at the theatre, but luckily without the butter!
I LOVE, love, LOVE The Little Mermaid. I wanted to dye my hair red because I thought it would make me sing like Ariel.
I think movie theaters used to smell good when I was kid. But now, it just smells like stinky feet sometimes…