Strawberry Shortcake No-Churn Ice Cream
July 17, 2025
All the nostalgic flavor of strawberry shortcake, churn-free and layered with jam swirls, buttery cookie crunch, and fresh strawberries.
This isn’t your average no-churn ice cream. It’s like frozen strawberry shortcake in each scoop, with buttery Walkers shortbread cookies, swirls of jam, and bursts of real fruit. The freeze-dried strawberry powder adds a boost of berry flavor while the condensed milk base keeps things extra creamy. It’s sweet, simple, and seriously addictive.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No ice cream maker required
- Swirled with real strawberry jam for a fruity boost
- Packed with buttery shortbread cookie crunch
- Creamy, scoopable texture straight from the freezer
- Perfect for summer parties or weeknight treats
- Elevated with freeze-dried strawberry powder (optional but worth it)
- Tastes like frozen strawberry shortcake in every bite
Ingredient Notes
- Heavy whipping cream – Keep it extra cold for the best volume when whipping.
- Sweetened condensed milk – Creates that rich, creamy base with no need for churning.
- Strawberries – Fresh and finely chopped so they freeze well and stay juicy.
- Strawberry jam – Swirled in for that classic shortcake flavor—any good-quality jam works, or even homemade.
- Shortbread cookies – Walkers give the best buttery crunch, but any crisp shortbread will do.
- Freeze-dried strawberry powder – Adds major berry punch and color without extra moisture.
Before You Bake
Do I have to use freeze-dried strawberry powder?
Nope! It’s optional, but it does give the ice cream a stronger berry flavor and a beautiful natural pink tint. If you skip it, the flavor will be milder but still delicious.
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Fresh strawberries are best here. Frozen ones tend to release extra water, which can make the texture icy instead of creamy.
What kind of pan works best?
A 9×5-inch loaf pan is perfect, but any freezer-safe container works. Just make sure it has enough room for layering and swirling.
Strawberry Shortcake No-Churn Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
- 3 tablespoons strawberry jam
- 1½ cups crushed Walkers shortbread cookies
- 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Strawberry whipped cream
- Extra shortbread cookies
- Fresh strawberries
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and freeze-dried strawberry powder (if using) until smooth.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture, keeping the texture light and fluffy.
- Add the chopped strawberries and 1 cup of the crushed shortbread cookies. Fold to combine.
- Spoon half the mixture into a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Add half the jam in dollops over the surface and swirl gently with a knife.
- Repeat with the remaining ice cream base and jam. Swirl again, then sprinkle the top with the remaining crushed cookies.
- Cover tightly and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight, until firm.
- Scoop and serve with strawberry whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and more cookies, if desired.
FAQ
How long does no churn ice cream last in the freezer?
About 2–3 weeks when covered tightly. After that, the texture may start to change slightly, but it’s still safe to eat.
Why is my no churn ice cream too hard to scoop?
If it’s frozen solid, just let it sit at room temp for 5–10 minutes before scooping. It’ll soften up nicely.
Can I make this dairy-free?
You can try swapping with coconut cream and sweetened condensed coconut milk, but the final texture and flavor will be different.
Can I add other mix-ins?
Totally! Try white chocolate chunks, crushed freeze-dried strawberries, or even a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a fancy twist.
What’s the best way to crush the shortbread cookies?
Place them in a zip-top bag and gently crush with a rolling pin. You want a mix of fine crumbs and bigger buttery chunks for texture.
Sprinkle of Fun
Plan an easy patio dinner with someone you love, then serve this dreamy ice cream just as the sun starts to dip. Light a few candles, let the sky do its golden-hour magic, and savor your strawberry shortcake scoops under a warm summer breeze. It’s low effort, high reward—and just might become your new favorite kind of date night.
Grab More Treats
Find more ice cream recipes here!
Love no-churn ice cream? Try this recipe: Triple Oreo No-Churn Ice Cream
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