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Watermelon Ice Cream

Blended watermelon, condensed milk, and cream frozen into a no-churn ice cream, poured back into a chilled pan or a hollowed watermelon shell in the format going viral on TikTok this summer.

15 minEasyServes 6190 cal/serving

AmericanDessertBlenderVegetarian

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Ingredients

  • 4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. 1

    Freeze a loaf pan, or a halved and hollowed-out watermelon shell, while you prep.

  2. 2

    Blend 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon until completely smooth, about 1 minute.

  3. 3

    Add 1 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 1/4 tsp salt to the blender; blend again until fully combined.

  4. 4

    Pour the mixture into the chilled pan or watermelon shell.

  5. 5

    Freeze at least 6 hours, or overnight, until firm.

  6. 6

    Scoop straight from the pan or shell like ice cream.

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Questions

How long does Watermelon Ice Cream take?

As written, 15 minutes: 15 of prep and 0 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 5, overnight, or about 8 hours. That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

What can I use instead of sweetened condensed milk in Watermelon Ice Cream?

The entry for Watermelon Ice Cream calls for 1 cup sweetened condensed milk. In its place: There is no quick swap. Simmer two cups of milk with two thirds of a cup of sugar until reduced by half, about 35 minutes.

Can I make Watermelon Ice Cream dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Watermelon Ice Cream is 1 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup heavy cream. Swap the sweetened condensed milk for a plant-based version of the same product; the cream for full-fat coconut milk or an oat cooking cream. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Is Watermelon Ice Cream vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 1 cup sweetened condensed milk and 1 cup heavy cream. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan dessert collection.

Which part of Watermelon Ice Cream can be done ahead?

Everything up to step 5. Step 5 is a built-in pause of overnight, or about 8 hours: "Freeze at least 6 hours, or overnight, until firm." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 6 when you are ready to finish.

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