Cherry Cordial Ice Cream Recipe from Scratch

Homemade Cherry Cordial Ice Cream captures the flavor of chocolate-covered cherry cordials: tender maraschino cherry pieces and rich dark chocolate folded into a sweet amaretto-style almond ice cream base. This no-churn version is easy to make, intensely flavorful, and perfect for sharing.

This no-churn Cherry Cordial ice cream begins with a sweetened condensed milk base flavored with almond extract to evoke the amaretto note found in classic cordials. Instead of cooking a custard, the condensed milk provides sweetness and body while whipped heavy cream gives the finished ice cream a light, scoopable texture without an ice cream machine. Large pieces of chopped maraschino cherries and generous shards of semi-sweet or dark chocolate are folded in for bursts of flavor and texture in every bite.

Why You’re Going to Love This Cherry Cordial Ice Cream Recipe

• Authentic flavor: The combination of almond extract, sweet cherries, and dark chocolate recreates the classic cherry cordial taste.
• No churn: No ice cream maker is required—whipped cream folded into sweetened condensed milk creates a creamy, stable base that freezes beautifully.
• Simple ingredients: The recipe uses just a few pantry staples and a jar of maraschino cherries, making it approachable and quick to prepare.

Ingredients in Cherry Cordial Ice Cream

• Sweetened condensed milk – This sweet, thick milk replaces a cooked custard and provides structure and sweetness. Use one standard 14 oz can.
• Heavy whipping cream – Cold heavy cream whipped to stiff peaks creates lightness and body in the finished ice cream.
• Almond extract – A small amount imparts the amaretto-like almond note that defines cherry cordials; it’s more pronounced and concentrated than vanilla.
• Maraschino cherries – Drain, remove stems, and chop the cherries to distribute them through the ice cream without adding excess liquid.
• Chocolate – Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chopped into small pieces provides rich, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet cherries and cream. Mini chips can be used as an alternative for smaller, even pieces.

For the full quantities and step-by-step instructions, see the recipe card below in the instructions section. The ingredients listed here reflect the straightforward no-churn approach that keeps preparation easy while delivering excellent flavor.

How to Store Homemade Ice Cream

Store this homemade No Churn Cherry Cordial Ice Cream in an airtight container in the freezer. Press a piece of parchment or wax paper directly on the surface before sealing to minimize ice crystals and preserve texture. Properly stored, the ice cream will keep well for up to one month. If the ice cream becomes very firm, let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes to soften enough to scoop.

No Churn Ice Cream Tips

• Use good quality chocolate — it makes a noticeable difference in flavor and texture.
• Chill bowls and utensils if possible; cold equipment helps heavy cream whip more quickly and hold stiff peaks.
• Drain the cherries thoroughly before chopping. Excess cherry syrup will thin the mixture and can cause icy texture.
• Keep the fat content high. Full-fat cream and sweetened condensed milk are key to a smooth, rich texture in no-churn recipes.
• Limit add-ins. If adding other mix-ins, stick to one or two and chop them to small, uniform sizes for even distribution.

Ice Cream Maker Option

If you prefer to use an ice cream maker, prepare a custard or your favorite churned ice cream base and flavor it with almond extract instead of vanilla. Churn according to the manufacturer’s directions and add the chopped cherries and chocolate during the last two minutes of churning so the mix-ins are evenly distributed without melting the base.

Can I Use Chocolate Chips instead of Chocolate Chunks?

Yes. Chopped chocolate gives varied piece sizes and slightly different mouthfeel, while mini semi-sweet chips provide consistent bite-sized pieces throughout the ice cream. Both work well; choose based on your preferred texture and how pronounced you want the chocolate contrast to be.

More Homemade Ice Cream Ideas

This Cherry Cordial version is just one of many flavors you can make with a no-churn or churned base. Popular options include cinnamon-sugar churro styles, citrus creamsicle blends, peppermint or candy cane treats for the holidays, cake batter-style novelty flavors, and rich chocolate-peanut butter combinations. Experimenting with different extracts and mix-ins is an easy way to expand your homemade ice cream repertoire.

LET’S GET SOCIAL: If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below to share how it turned out and any variations you enjoyed.

Homemade Cherry Cordial Ice Cream Recipe

Yield:
12 Servings

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Additional Time:
6 hours

Total Time:
6 hours 5 minutes

No-churn Cherry Cordial Ice Cream with chunks of maraschino cherries and dark chocolate in an almond-flavored ice cream base.

Ingredients

• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 (10 oz.) jar maraschino cherries, stems removed, drained, and chopped
• 3/4 cup chopped semi-sweet or dark chocolate

Instructions

1. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and place it in the freezer.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, almond extract, and salt; set aside.
3. In a separate large bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, as you would for whipped cream.
4. Gently fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk mixture until evenly combined and light, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream.
5. Fold in the drained, chopped maraschino cherries and the chopped chocolate until distributed throughout the mixture.
6. Pour the ice cream mixture into the prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap or a lid, and freeze at least 6 hours or overnight until firm.

Notes

• Almond extract provides the distinctive amaretto-like flavor; you can substitute vanilla if preferred.
• Chopped chocolate or mini chocolate chips both work—choose based on desired texture.
• Drain cherries well before chopping; do not add the excess syrup to the ice cream base.
• Chill the whipping cream and bowl for best whipping results.
• If using an ice cream maker, use a churned ice cream base flavored with almond extract and add mix-ins during the final minutes of churning.
• Allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for a few minutes if it becomes too firm to scoop straight from the freezer.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:

• Calories: 345
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Cholesterol: 60mg
• Sodium: 113mg
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 33g
• Protein: 5g