Fruity Pebbles Ice Cream is one of the best ice cream flavors I've ever tasted! If you haven't tried it yet, it is a must for every ice cream lover. The flavors and texture of this ice cream are absolutely perfect in every way! The best news is you don't have to have an ice cream maker to make it. Although I used my ice cream maker to churn the ice cream, you can also use the Ninja Creami to make it or, with a few changes, make it in your blender and freeze it in the freezer without any special appliance.
I'm not sure when the fruity pebbles and cocoa pebbles ice cream flavors were released, but I've only been able to find the fruity pebbles at a Dollar General one time. That one time was enough to have me hooked and when we couldn't find it again, I just had to replicate it at home! If fruity pebbles was one of your favorite cereals or if you love fruity flavors in ice cream, you will love this recipe. Funny thing is I was never a huge fan of fruity pebbles, but I love this fruity and sweet ice cream!
Making Ice Cream at home isn't hard at all, even if you don't have an ice cream maker! I have made tons of different flavors just using a blender. So, if you are a fan of ice cream like I am, check out these delicious recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nope! There are many different ways to make ice cream that is just as delicious as store-bought without any special equipment. Later in this article, I go over the different ways to make the recipe with and without any appliances.
If you have the right type of containers, it will last several months before it starts to get ice crystals. It's also helpful to put a layer of plastic wrap directly on the ice cream surface and make sure you store it in an airtight container.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Milk & Cream
I used a ratio of 2:1 whole milk to heavy whipping cream in this recipe and I also tested the recipe with 2 cups half and half and 1 cup cream and both worked fine. If you wanted to lighten it up by using 2% or skim milk, you can. However, keep in mind that it's the fat content in ice cream that gives it its smooth texture. When you reduce the fat, you can end up with icy ice cream.
You can also use dairy-free alternatives like almond milk, but you may run into the same issue of having icy ice cream. Some people have had good luck with using almond milk and a protein powder to make their ice cream mix and then they freeze and spin it with the Ninja Creami. I haven't tried that yet, so I can't say for sure how it works, but I've seen pictures in our Ninja Creami Facebook Group and it looks amazing.
If you need to replace the heavy cream in the recipe, I would use a full fat coconut milk.
Sugar
There is, no doubt, quite a bit of sugar in this recipe and you can certainly try to reduce it, but sugar is a key ingredient that helps ice cream stay scoopable, so you may end up with hard ice cream if you reduce it or use a sugar substitute.
I did just test out a keto version of a chocolate ice cream using the (affiliate link)Ninja Creami and I used Swerve and it worked great. So, if you have the Creami and want to try reducing the sugar, you can replace the white sugar with the appropriate amount of your sweetener of choice. Remember though, the Fruity Pebbles cereal is still a sugary cereal and that sugar does infuse into the milk mixture.
Fruity Pebble Flavoring
I use 1 cup of the Fruity Pebbles cereal to flavor the milk and cream, but that isn't quite enough to give the fruity flavor of fruity pebbles. I even tried increasing the cereal to 2 cups and it still tasted like the milk leftover from the cereal, so I thought the ice cream would taste like cereal milk ice cream, which would be delicious. However, once I churned that into ice cream, it had almost no flavor at all. So, in order to make a delicious fruity pebbles ice cream, you have to add a few flavorings to the ice cream batter.
I did a little research and found that the main flavors in fruity pebbles are lemon, orange, and cherry. I rooted around in my bin of flavorings and found(affiliate link) lemonade and (affiliate link)fruit punch and decided to try those. They were perfect! These flavorings are different from extracts, but if you wanted to experiment, you could try to use lemon, orange, and cherry extracts instead. I would probably start with ½ teaspoon of each.
Tips for Making Ice Cream at Home
Whether you have an ice cream maker, the Ninja Creami, or you just want to freeze your ice cream mixture, there are some things to keep in mind so you get the best results.
- Start with fresh ingredients. Don't use old milk to make your ice cream, it can affect the texture and flavor.
- Use airtight containers to store your ice cream and it's often helpful to cover the ice cream with plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn.
- Use some heavy cream in combination with milk for the best texture. If you are dairy free, try using full fat coconut milk.
Fun Recipes using Fruity Pebbles Ice Cream
This is the perfect flavor for making all kinds of fun treats. While it's absolutely delicious served in a bowl or a cone with some extra fruity pebbles on top, it's also great to use to make different sweet treats. Here are some of the ideas that I plan on testing out.
Fruity Pebbles Ice Cream Sandwiches
This ice cream would absolutely be delicious between vanilla flavored cookies and then wrapped and stored in the freezer until the cookies soften just like an ice cream sandwich. I have some ideas for this and can't wait to test it out and take a bite out of one of the fruity pebble ice cream sandwiches!
Fruity Pebbles Confetti Ice Cream Squares
To make these, I would spread the ice cream out on a parchment lined tray and freeze solid. Then cut them into squares and coat completely with fruity pebbles cereal and freeze again. Be sure to make them small enough that they can be eaten before the ice cream melts all over.
Ice cream cake
I can't think of anything prettier than an ice cream cake made with fruity pebbles. The colors alone make this a fun recipe! I would use vanilla or white cake for the ice cream cake cake layers. Bake the cake in a loaf pan and then let it cool on a cooling rack for a few minutes before removing the cake from the pan. Clean the loaf pan while the cake is cooling and line it with plastic wrap all the way up the sides. When the cake is cool, slice it into 3 layers. Freezing the cake for an hour or so helps with cutting it.
Place one of the cake layers in the bottom of the loaf pan (lined with plastic wrap) and then spread a layer of fruity pebbles over the first cake layer. Spread a layer of the fruity pebbles ice cream, followed by another layer of fruity pebbles cereal. Place the second cake layer on top and repeat the same process. Top with the third cake layer. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze. You can also put some icing on top before freezing and sprinkle some fruity pebbles on top.
When it's frozen, remove from the freezer and life the ice cream cake out of the pan with the plastic wrap. Slice and serve your fruity pebble crunch ice cream cake!
Fruity Pebbles Milkshake
Simply blend milk with fruity pebbles ice cream and make a milkshake. Don't forget to add some fruity pebbles cereal for crunch!
How to Make Fruity Pebbles Ice Cream without an Ice Cream Machine
If you don't have an ice cream machine and want to make Fruity Pebbles Ice Cream, there are several ways you can make this recipe and still have a delicious and scoopable ice cream.
Blender Recipe
I have made many recipes for ice cream just using a blender and have found a few tricks to improve the texture and scoopability.
You would start off the same way by blending the sugar and milk until it is well incorporated. Add the cream and Fruity Pebbles cereal and let sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
Strain with a fine mesh strainer and discard the cereal. Add in the flavorings and stir. Mix 1 Tablespoon of heavy cream with ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum until you have a smooth mixture.
Place the ice cream mix into the blender and add in the xantan gum/cream mixture and pulse blend a few times. Pour into shallow freezer containers and freeze for at least 8 hours.
You can also add a few egg yolks to the mixture and I recommend using pasteurized eggs if you don't want to heat the milk and temper the eggs. The extra fat helps prevent homemade ice cream from freezing solid. You can also use a few Tablespoons of Vodka to help prevent rock hard ice cream.
There is also a different version of homemade ice cream that uses sweetened condensed milk and whipping cream. I haven't tried it yet, but if you want to give it a try, here are my suggestions.
Skip soaking the cereal or soak the cereal only in the heavy cream that you will later strain and whip.
Combine about 7-8 ounces of sweetened condensed milk with the flavorings for the Fruity Pebble Ice Cream.
Whip 1 cup of heavy cream in a stand mixer until you have soft peaks. Fold the whipped cream into the flavored condensed milk. Place in the freezer for 8 hours or overnight.
Serve & Enjoy!
How to Make Fruity Pebbles Ice Cream in an Ice Cream Machine or Ninja Creami
Whether you have an ice cream maker or the (affiliate link)Ninja Creami, you can make the ice cream base exactly the same way as written in the instructions. The ice cream maker I use is the (affiliate link)Cuisinart Ice-100 and I love it because you don't have to worry about freezing the bowl! It has its own compressor.
Ice Cream Base
The first step is to get the sugar and milk mixed together. You can do this on the stove by heating the milk and sugar, but I find it easier to use my (affiliate link)high speed blender and just blend it. This does a great job and it results in a nice smooth mixture without any sugar granules.
Transfer the milk to a large enough container to fit the milk, cream, and cereal. This can be a medium bowl with a lid or any container that will hold about 4 cups.
Add in the heavy cream and Fruity Pebbles cereal, cover and put it into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Overnight is what I usually do.
After the mixture has sat in the refrigerator, use a fine-mesh strainer and strain out the cereal. Discard the cereal.
Add in the lemonade and fruit punch flavorings and stir to combine with the milk and cream. The ice cream base is now ready to put into your ice cream maker or freeze if you want to use the Ninja Creami.
Ice Cream Maker Instructions
Following the instructions for your particular ice cream maker, pour the ice cream base into the machine and churn the ice cream for about 30 minutes or so.
When it is done, you can serve it immediately or place into ice cream containers to freeze.
Ninja Creami Instructions
Instead of churning in the ice cream machine, pour the ice cream base into the Creami Containers and freeze for at least 8 hours.
Then put the containers into the Creami machine and select the ice cream function. Mine turned out perfectly creamy, but if yours ends up being a little powdery, simply add a few tablespoons of heavy cream and respin it.
Top with some Fruity Pebbles cereal and enjoy!
You can also try this with your favorite breakfast cereal! I think I'm trying Fruit Loops next!
Fruity Pebbles Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
- Blender
- Ice cream maker
- Ninja Creami
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- ¾ cups sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup fruity pebbles cereal
- ⅛ teaspoon LorAnn Oils lemonade flavoring
- ¼ teaspoon LorAnn Oils fruit punch flavoring
- extra fruity pebbles for topping optional
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Instructions
- Combine the milk and the sugar in the cup or pitcher of your blender. Blend on high speed for 30-60 seconds.
- Put one cup of fruity pebbles cereal, 1 cup of heavy cream, and the milk mixture into a container with a cover. Put in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but overnight is better.
- Strain the fruity pebbles mixture so the milk & cream mixture goes into a large bowl or pitcher and the soggy cereal stays behind. Discard the cereal.
- Add the lemonade and fruit punch flavorings and stir.
Ice Cream Maker Instructions
- Pour ice cream mixture into your ice cream machine and follow the manufacturer's directions to churn the ice cream.
- When done, you can serve right away and top with Fruity Pebbles cereal. If you like a harder ice cream, put the ice cream into freezer containers and freeze for several hours before serving.
Ninja Creami Instructions
- Pour the ice cream mixture into the Creami container, cover with the lid and freeze for at least 8 hours. Once frozen, place the container into the Creami machine and select the ice cream function.
- If the ice cream isn't creamy enough, add a few tablespoon of heavy cream and respin. Serve with Fruity Pebbles cereal on top for crunch!
Nutrition
About the Recipe Author, Louise Long
Louise is a full-time recipe creator and food blogger @ The Salted Pepper. She has over 30 years of experience with cooking and recipe development. She owned a restaurant for several years and was a full-time RN until retiring to blog full-time.
She published her first cookbook in the Fall of 2018 and is very interested in writing several more.
Louise is also the creator of an online Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooking Course with over 100 instructional step-by-step videos. People absolutely rave about the course and all the value they have received from it.
Louise has several very active Facebook groups that help people with the basics of cooking and learning more about the appliances they love.
Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker & Air Crisper 101
Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker
Louise is also a YouTube creator and you can find most of her recipes in video format on The Salted Pepper YouTube channel.
She is very responsive to messages and eager to help in any way she can. Get more Information about Louise & contact information
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