Copycat Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked Ice Cream Recipe

If you’re like me, the combination of creamy chocolate and vanilla ice cream swirled with chunks of gooey fudge brownies and soft chocolate chip cookie dough feels like a slice of heaven in every spoonful. But here’s the thing—what if you could skip the lines at the grocery store and whip up this Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked Ice Cream right in your kitchen?

How to make Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked Ice Cream is one of the brand’s most popular flavors.

Ingredients

For Vanilla Ice Cream:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

For Chocolate Ice Cream:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Fudge Brownies:

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (heat-treated to eliminate bacteria)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Ice Cream Bases

Vanilla Ice Cream:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar dissolves.
2. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once churned, freeze until firm.

Chocolate Ice Cream:

1. Whisk together the heavy cream, milk, sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Pour into the ice cream maker and churn. Freeze until firm.

Step 2: Prepare the Fudge Brownies

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a small baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated. Fold in the flour and salt.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for approximately 15–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool and cut into small chunks.

Step 3: Make the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

1. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the vanilla extract and milk, mixing until combined.
3. Gradually mix in the heat-treated flour and salt. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips.
4. Roll the cookie dough into small bite-sized chunks and refrigerate until firm.

Step 4: Assemble the Half Baked Ice Cream

1. Take your chocolate and vanilla ice creams out of the freezer and let them soften slightly.
2. In a large freezer-safe container, layer chocolate and vanilla ice cream, gently swirling them together for that signature mix.
3. Fold in chunks of brownie and cookie dough throughout the ice cream. Be generous with your mix-ins for maximum indulgence!
4. Cover the container and freeze for 4–6 hours until fully set.

Tips for Success

• Heat-Treat Your Flour: Make sure to heat-treat the flour for the cookie dough. Spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes to eliminate bacteria.
• Customize Your Mix-Ins: Add extra chunks of brownies or cookie dough based on your preference. You can even throw in some nuts, caramel sauce, or mini marshmallows for a creative twist.
• Use Quality Ingredients: High-quality cocoa powder and chocolate chips can make a big difference in the richness and flavor of the recipe.
• Don’t Overmix: While swirling the ice creams, be gentle to avoid completely blending the two flavors together—Half Baked’s charm lies in its distinct swirls.

Ingredients Substitutes

Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked Ice Cream is a decadent combination of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, cookie dough chunks, and fudgy brownies. If you’re looking to recreate this flavor at home but want to use substitutes—whether for dietary preferences, allergies, or simply availability—you can use plenty of alternatives without sacrificing taste.

Ice Cream Base Substitutes

Half Baked includes chocolate and vanilla ice cream as the base flavors. If you want to make the ice cream or find substitutes for store-bought options, consider these alternatives:

1. Dairy-Free Ice Cream

For lactose-free or vegan options:

• Chocolate Ice Cream Substitute: Use coconut milk-based chocolate ice cream or almond milk-based chocolate ice cream. These plant-based alternatives offer rich flavors and a creamy texture.
• Vanilla Ice Cream Substitute: Try oat milk-based vanilla ice cream or soy milk-based vanilla ice cream for a smooth, dairy-free counterpart.

2. Low-Sugar Ice Cream

For those reducing sugar intake:

• Opt for sugar-free vanilla ice cream sweetened with stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol.
• Choose keto chocolate ice cream made with cream and sugar alternatives like xylitol.

3. Homemade Ice Cream Substitute

For homemade alternatives:

• Chocolate Ice Cream: Blend frozen bananas, unsweetened cocoa powder, and almond milk for a faux Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked Ice Cream.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Mix frozen bananas, vanilla extract, and coconut milk for a creamy vanilla substitute.

Brownies Substitutes

The fudgy brownies in Half Baked are a key feature. If you need substitutes for traditional brownies, consider the following:

1. Gluten-Free Brownies

• Use almond flour or oat flour instead of wheat flour in homemade brownies.
• Store-bought gluten-free brownie options work well for convenience.

2. Vegan Brownies

• Swap eggs with flaxseed meal (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons of water = 1 egg).
• Use avocado or coconut oil instead of butter.
• Choose vegan chocolate chips without dairy.

3. Low-Calorie Brownies

For a healthier alternative:

• Make brownies with black beans as the base. Black bean brownies are high in fiber and protein while remaining moist and fudgy.
• Substitute sugar with natural sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup.

Cookie Dough Substitutes

The cookie dough chunks in Half Baked are made primarily from flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. If you need substitutes for cookie dough, try these ideas:

1. Edible Cookie Dough

• Use heat-treated flour (to eliminate foodborne illness) and omit eggs.
• Replace butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
• Sweeten with brown sugar or a natural sugar alternative like agave nectar or date paste.

2. Gluten-Free Cookie Dough

• Use gluten-free flour (like almond flour, oat flour, or a gluten-free baking mix).
• Gluten-free cookie dough options are also available pre-made at stores.

3. Vegan Cookie Dough

• Substitute eggs with applesauce or mashed bananas for binding.
• Use vegan chocolate chips.

4. Protein Cookie Dough

For a healthier option:

• Substitute part of the flour with protein powder (like whey or plant-based protein).
• Reduce sugar content by using natural sweeteners.

Final Thoughts

Making Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked Ice Cream at home is a rewarding experience that allows you to fully customize (and cram in!) all your favorite components.

More Ben & Jerry Recipes:

• Copycat Ben and Jerry’s Brownie Batter Recipe