There’s nothing quite like homemade Mango Ice Cream — rich, creamy, and bursting with the bright tropical flavor of ripe mangoes. This recipe transforms fresh mangoes into a luscious frozen dessert that’s perfect for warm weather, celebrations, or anytime you want a refreshing treat. No ice cream maker? No problem — this recipe is designed to be simple, straightforward, and delightfully indulgent.
Fresh mangoes not only give you authentic flavor but also a vibrant golden color that makes this ice cream irresistible before you even take a bite. With just a few basic ingredients and easy steps, you’ll create a dessert that rivals anything from an ice cream shop.
🥭 Why You’ll Love This Mango Ice Cream
This recipe stands out because it combines:
✔ Real fruit flavor — not artificial
✔ A creamy texture that melts in your mouth
✔ Balanced sweetness with a tropical kick
✔ A simple method you can make at home
✔ A stunning dessert for guests or family
Unlike store-bought mango ice cream, homemade allows you to control the sweetness, creaminess, and quality of ingredients. It’s perfect for special occasions, summer afternoons, or whenever you’re craving something cool and satisfying.
🍨 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into this delicious mango ice cream:
Fruit Base
- 3–4 ripe mangoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾–1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1–2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice (optional, enhances fruit brightness)
Optional Enhancements
- A pinch of salt to balance sweetness
- Mango chunks or swirl for texture
- Coconut milk substitution for extra tropical flavor
🍽️ Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Mango Puree
Start by peeling and chopping ripe mangoes. Place the pieces into a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
If your mangoes are very sweet, you can reduce the added sugar. Taste the puree and adjust sweetness before combining with the dairy base.
Add lemon or lime juice if desired. This brightens the fruit flavor and prevents the ice cream from tasting too sweet.
2️⃣ Make the Ice Cream Base
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, and sugar until the sugar fully dissolves.
If you prefer a slightly richer texture, add more heavy cream and reduce the milk proportionately.
Now pour the mango puree into the dairy mixture and stir until fully combined. The mixture should be smooth and uniform in color.
Optional: For extra smoothness, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any fibrous fruit pieces.
3️⃣ Chill the Base
For best results, refrigerate the mango ice cream base for at least 2 hours before churning. Chilling helps the mixture thicken slightly and enhances the final texture.
A cold base churns more evenly and creates a creamier finish.
4️⃣ Churn the Ice Cream
If you have an ice cream maker:
Pour the chilled base into the machine and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions — typically 20–25 minutes until it reaches soft-serve consistency.
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe using the freeze-and-stir method:
- Pour the mixture into a shallow dish and freeze for 45–60 minutes.
- When ice crystals begin to form around the edges, whisk vigorously to break them up.
- Repeat every 30 minutes for about 3 hours, until the mixture is creamy and frozen.
5️⃣ Freeze to Set
Once churned, transfer the ice cream to a lidded container and freeze for at least 4–6 hours or overnight. This step gives it a firm, scoopable texture.
For the best scoop, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
🍧 Serving Suggestions
Mango ice cream is delicious on its own, but you can elevate it even more:
🍹 Serve with fresh mango slices
🍫 Drizzle with coconut caramel or chocolate sauce
🥥 Add toasted coconut flakes
🍪 Pair with buttery cookies or shortbread
🍋 Garnish with lime zest for extra brightness
It also pairs beautifully with tropical desserts like coconut cake, pineapple upside-down cake, or passionfruit tarts.
💡 Tips for Perfect Mango Ice Cream
✨ Choose ripe mangoes — the sweeter and more fragrant, the better the flavor
✨ Don’t skip chilling before churning
✨ For extra smoothness, blend thoroughly and strain if needed
✨ Adjust sugar to your taste and mango sweetness
✨ For dairy-free, use coconut milk or almond milk — just keep the creaminess balance
❄️ How to Store
Homemade ice cream is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored:
• In an airtight container in the freezer up to 7–10 days
• Covered with plastic wrap on the surface to prevent ice crystals
• Scoop slightly softened for best texture
🍨 FAQ — Mango Ice Cream
➤ Can I make this without an ice cream maker?
Yes! Use the freeze-and-stir method: freeze the mixture in a shallow container and whisk every 30 minutes until creamy. It takes longer but produces great texture.
➤ Can I use frozen mangoes?
Absolutely! Frozen mango chunks work well — just thaw and drain excess liquid before blending into puree.
➤ How sweet should the base be?
Sweetness depends on your fruit and personal taste. Start with ¾ cup sugar and adjust based on how sweet your mangoes are. The lemon juice also balances sweetness nicely.
➤ Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes — substitute coconut milk and coconut cream for the dairy. Keep a similar ratio to achieve a creamy texture.
➤ Why does homemade ice cream get icy?
Icy texture usually comes from not churning properly or freezing too fast without breaking up crystals. Chilling the base well and using a churn or frequent stirring helps reduce iciness.
➤ Can I add swirls or chunks?
Yes — after churning, fold in diced mangoes, raspberry swirls, or passionfruit pulp for extra texture and flavor.
🍍 Final Thoughts
This Mango Ice Cream is a tropical delight that delivers both simplicity and sophistication. With its creamy custard-like base and fresh fruit flavor, it’s a dessert that everyone will love. Whether you’re serving it at a barbecue, family dinner, or simply enjoying a scoop after dinner, it’s refreshing, delicious, and endlessly satisfying.
Once you make it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start earlier!
Try Also: Irresistible Dessert Ideas from Paula’s Kitchen
- How to Make the Perfect Tuxedo Cake at Home
- No-Bake Layered Brownie Dessert
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Bars
Mango Ice Cream
Ingredients
Fruit Base
- 3-4 pieces ripe mangoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾-1 cup granulated sugar Adjust to taste
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice Optional, enhances fruit brightness
Optional Enhancements
- 1 pinch salt To balance sweetness
- 1 cup mango chunks or swirl For texture
- 1 cup coconut milk Substitution for extra tropical flavor
Instructions
Prepare the Mango Puree
- Peel and chop ripe mangoes. Place the pieces into a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
- Taste the puree and adjust the sweetness before combining with the dairy base.
- Add lemon or lime juice if desired for enhanced flavor.
Make the Ice Cream Base
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, and sugar until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Pour the mango puree into the dairy mixture and stir until fully combined.
- For extra smoothness, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any fibrous fruit pieces if needed.
Chill the Base
- Refrigerate the mango ice cream base for at least 2 hours before churning.
Churn the Ice Cream
- Pour the chilled base into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's instructions for 20-25 minutes until soft-serve consistency.
- Alternatively, for a no-ice cream maker option, freeze the mixture in a shallow dish for 45-60 minutes, whisking vigorously every 30 minutes for about 3 hours.
Freeze to Set
- Transfer the ice cream to a lidded container and freeze for at least 4-6 hours or overnight.