King Cake Ice Cream

4 servings Prep: 25 m Cook: PT0M Total: 24 h 25 m Beginner
This King Cake Ice Cream brings all that Mardi Gras magic to your freezer with cinnamon-scented cream cheese ice cream studded with actual king cake pieces and purple, gold, and green sprinkles. It’s like eating King Cake straight from the freezer—perfect for celebrating Carnival season from Twelfth Night through Fat Tuesday.

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups vanilla protein shake or whole milk
  • 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
  • 1 tbsp sugar + 2 tbsp monk fruit/erythritol
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup king cake pieces, diced (for mix-in)
  • Purple, gold, and green colored sprinkles (for mix-in)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Mix sweetener blend, xanthan gum, and cinnamon in pint container.
  2. Blend protein shake (or milk) with vanilla extract, almond extract, and softened cream cheese until smooth.
  3. Pour liquid mixture into the container with the dry ingredients and stir well to combine.
  4. Freeze for 24 hours minimum until completely solid.
  5. Process on LITE ICE CREAM setting. If needed, add 1-2 tbsp liquid and re-spin.
  6. Mix-in cake pieces and colored sprinkles during final processing.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why isn't my ice cream freezing solid after 24 hours?

A: Make sure your freezer is set to 0°F or below. The mixture needs to be completely frozen solid before processing, or the texture won't be right.

Q: Can I use regular King Cake for the mix-ins?

A: Absolutely! Dice up leftover [King Cake](/recipes/mardi-gras-king-cake-traditional-new-orleans/) or store-bought cake into small pieces. You can even use the icing and all—it'll add extra sweetness and color.

Tips and Techniques

  • Save some of those colorful sprinkles for the top - King Cake should always look like a celebration!
  • If you don’t have an ice cream maker with a LITE ICE CREAM setting, you can use the standard ice cream churning process or even make this as a no-churn ice cream by folding the cake pieces and sprinkles into whipped cream.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • vanilla protein shake: whole milk or half-and-half
  • monk fruit/erythritol blend: regular granulated sugar
  • king cake pieces: cinnamon roll pieces or sweet bread

Equipment Needed

  • Ice cream maker with LITE ICE CREAM setting (or standard ice cream maker)
  • Blender or whisk
  • Pint container for freezing

Historical Context

King Cake is the crown jewel of Mardi Gras tradition, eaten from Twelfth Night through Fat Tuesday. This braided, cinnamon-scented cake adorned with purple, gold, and green icing represents the gifts of the Magi and embodies the celebratory spirit of Carnival season in New Orleans. The tradition of hiding a small baby in the cake brings luck and responsibility—whoever finds it must host the next King Cake party, keeping the joy of Mardi Gras alive throughout the season.