Halloween is the perfect time to indulge in spooky treats, and if you’ve ever tried Cold Stone Boo Batter Ice Cream, you know it’s the ultimate Halloween dessert! That rich, velvety cake batter flavor combined with its deep black color screams festive fun.
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How to make Cold Stone Boo Batter
Cold Stone Boo Batter is a seasonal ice cream flavor from Cold Stone Creamery, typically released around Halloween.
Ingredients
For the Base Ice Cream:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup yellow cake mix powder (you can use store-bought boxed cake mix; just make sure it’s safe for consumption without baking)
To Create the Signature Black Color:
- 1-2 teaspoons black gel food coloring (gel works best for a vibrant, deep black without altering the flavor)
Optional Mix-ins:
- Crushed Halloween OREO® cookies
- M&M’s® or other colorful candy
- Chopped KIT KAT® bars
- Spooky sprinkles
Instructions
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar is fully dissolved. Gradually add the yellow cake mix powder while whisking continuously to avoid clumps. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Start by adding 1 teaspoon of black gel food coloring into the ice cream base. Mix thoroughly to see how dark the color is. If needed, add small amounts until you achieve the desired deep black shade.
Step 3: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight). This helps the flavors meld together and ensures the ice cream freezes nicely.
Step 4: Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Let it churn until thick and creamy—this typically takes about 20-25 minutes.
Step 5: Once the ice cream is nearly finished churning, toss in your Halloween OREO® crumbs, candies, or sprinkles. Let them mix just until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 6: For a firmer texture, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze it for an additional 2-4 hours before serving.
Tips for Perfect Boo Batter Ice Cream
- Taste Testing: Adjust the sweetness or cake batter flavor to your liking by adding a bit more sugar or cake mix during step 1.
- Food Coloring: If you don’t have gel food coloring, liquid food coloring can work, but you may need a larger amount. Be careful not to add too much, as it can dilute the flavor.
- Mix-in Variety: Get creative with your mix-ins for a truly personalized Halloween treat—try gummy worms, candy eyeballs, or chocolate chips!
- No Ice Cream Maker? You can make this without an ice cream maker by using a no-churn method. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container, freeze for 1 hour, then stir vigorously every 30 minutes until fully frozen.
What to serve with
Cold Stone Boo Batter Ice Cream is a show-stopper all on its own, but pairing it with complementary treats and spooky snacks can take your Halloween dessert spread to a whole new level!
- Spooky-themed Brownies: Bake a batch of rich, fudgy brownies and cut them into ghost, pumpkin, or bat shapes using cookie cutters. You can drizzle orange or green-colored chocolate on top for added flair. Serve your Boo Batter Ice Cream over a brownie for a decadent dessert combo.
- Halloween Sugar Cookies: Whip up some buttery sugar cookies and decorate them with Halloween-inspired designs like spiderwebs, witches, or zombies. These cookies pair wonderfully with the creamy cake batter flavor of Boo Batter Ice Cream. Add a scoop on top, or crumble them for mix-ins!
- Black-Waffle Cones or Bowls: Elevate the presentation by serving Boo Batter Ice Cream in black waffle cones or bowls (you can make or purchase these). The black-on-black aesthetic ties perfectly into the spooky theme, delivering both style and flavor.
- Spooky Ice Cream Sandwiches: Make ice cream sandwiches using two Halloween OREO® cookies. Add a scoop of Boo Batter Ice Cream in the middle, then roll the edges in festive spooky sprinkles. These are fun, portable, and perfect for kids (or kids at heart).
- Halloween Caramel Apples: Serve Boo Batter alongside caramel-dipped apples, decorated with crushed candy or drizzle. The crisp tartness of the apples pairs beautifully with the creamy sweetness of the ice cream.
Ingredients substitutes
If you’re ready to whip up your homemade Cold Stone Boo Batter Ice Cream but are missing a few ingredients, don’t worry—there are plenty of substitutes you can use!
Substitutes for the Ice Cream Base
- Heavy Cream → Coconut Cream or Full-Fat Coconut Milk: For a dairy-free or vegan option, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or full-fat canned coconut milk. Both will provide the same creamy texture with a subtle hint of coconut flavor. If you’d like the ice cream to taste neutral, pair this with stronger flavoring from the yellow cake mix or vanilla extract.
- Whole Milk → Almond Milk, Oat Milk, or Soy Milk: You can swap whole milk for alternative milks like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk. Use unsweetened or vanilla versions to maintain the rich flavor. Keep in mind that non-dairy substitutes may lead to a slightly thinner texture, but freezing well will help compensate.
- Granulated Sugar → Honey, Maple Syrup, or Coconut Sugar: If you’d prefer a more natural sweetener, use honey or maple syrup in place of granulated sugar. For a sugar-alternative option, coconut sugar works beautifully, adding a slight caramel undertone to the ice cream.
Substitutes for the Cake Batter Flavor
- Gluten-Free Cake Mix → Almond Flour with Sweetener and Vanilla: For a gluten-free version, substitute yellow cake mix with a combination of almond flour, powdered sweetener, and vanilla extract. Almond flour has a fine texture that mimics cake mix well while keeping it gluten-free.
- Chocolate Cake Mix → For an Edgy Twist: Want a darker flavor profile to match the eerie black theme? Try swapping yellow cake mix for chocolate cake mix. The chocolatey flavor pairs well with the Halloween aesthetics and enhances the richness of the ice cream.
Substitutes for Black Food Coloring
- Charcoal Powder → Natural Black Coloring: Activated charcoal powder is a great natural substitute for black food coloring. While flavor-neutral, it delivers a dramatic black hue that’s perfectly spooky without artificial dyes.
- Cocoa Powder + Blue and Green Food Coloring: For a DIY black food coloring, start with dark cocoa powder to create a brown base, then add blue and green gel food coloring until the mixture turns black. This gives depth to the cake batter flavor while achieving the desired color.
- Other Gel Food Coloring Brands → Mix Primary Colors: If you can’t find black gel food coloring, combine red, blue, and yellow food coloring in specific ratios until you match the desired black hue. Gel-based colors work best for richer pigmentation.
Final Thoughts
Cold Stone Boo Batter Ice Cream is already a festive treat, but with the right pairings and thoughtful presentation, it can become the centerpiece of an unforgettable Halloween dessert table.
More Ice Cream Recipes:
Ingredients
For the Base Ice Cream:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup yellow cake mix powder
To Create the Signature Black Color:
- 1-2 teaspoons black gel food coloring
Optional Mix-ins:
- Crushed Halloween OREO® cookies
- M&M’s® or other colorful candy
- Chopped KIT KAT® bars
- Spooky sprinkles
Instructions
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar is fully dissolved. Gradually add the yellow cake mix powder while whisking continuously to avoid clumps. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Start by adding 1 teaspoon of black gel food coloring into the ice cream base. Mix thoroughly to see how dark the color is. If needed, add small amounts until you achieve the desired deep black shade.
Step 3: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight). This helps the flavors meld together and ensures the ice cream freezes nicely.
Step 4: Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Let it churn until thick and creamy—this typically takes about 20-25 minutes.
Step 5: Once the ice cream is nearly finished churning, toss in your Halloween OREO® crumbs, candies, or sprinkles. Let them mix just until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 6: For a firmer texture, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze it for an additional 2-4 hours before serving.
