There are some recipes that sound almost too easy to work… and this is definitely one of them.
Two ingredients. One bowl. No complicated steps. And the end result is a rich, creamy Nutella ice cream that tastes like you put in far more effort than you actually did. Honestly, this is the kind of dessert I love most on a busy day. Minimal fuss, maximum chocolate-hazelnut reward.
If you’ve ever found yourself craving something cold and sweet but couldn’t be bothered dragging out an ice cream machine, this easy dessert has your name all over it. It’s a lovely little shortcut recipe for summer entertaining, after-school treats, or those late-night “I need chocolate now” moments we all pretend we don’t have.
I mean I can’t be the only one with a dedicated nutella spoon right? (updated here is a link to the spoon I have)
Why this 2-ingredient Nutella ice cream works
What makes this recipe so appealing is the simplicity. You’re not dealing with custards, egg yolks, stovetops, or any of the usual ice cream drama. It’s one of those easy homemade ice cream recipes that feels almost suspiciously simple.
Nutella brings the flavor, sweetness, and that smooth hazelnut-chocolate richness. Pair it with a creamy base, and you’ve got a quick no-churn dessert that’s ideal for beginner cooks, kids helping in the kitchen, or anyone who wants dessert without turning the whole kitchen upside down.
And let’s be honest, anything involving Nutella already starts from a pretty strong position.
Ingredients for easy Nutella ice cream
You only need two ingredients:
- Nutella
- Cream
That’s it. No eggs, no condensed milk, no fancy extras unless you want to dress it up later.
How to make Nutella ice cream
The basic idea is beautifully straightforward:
- Combine the Nutella with the cream.
- Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Freeze until firm and scoopable.
- Serve and try not to eat it straight from the container while standing in front of the freezer.
That last step is optional, obviously.
Tips for the best homemade Nutella ice cream
A recipe this simple doesn’t need much babysitting, but a few little tips can make it even better.
Use room-temperature Nutella
If your Nutella is a bit stiff, it can be harder to mix smoothly. Letting it soften slightly first makes everything come together more easily.
Chill before serving
If the ice cream freezes very firm, give it a few minutes on the bench before scooping. Homemade ice cream can be a bit stubborn straight from the freezer.
Add texture if you like
This is the kind of dessert that also works beautifully with add-ins. Chopped hazelnuts, mini chocolate chips, crushed wafers, or even a swirl of extra Nutella on top can make it feel a bit more special.
Fun serving ideas
This easy Nutella ice cream is lovely on its own, but you can also serve it:
- in waffle cones
- with fresh strawberries or banana slices
- sandwiched between cookies
- topped with crushed Ferrero-style chocolates
- as a quick dinner-party dessert with a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce
It would also be gorgeous spooned into little jars for individual desserts if you’re entertaining.
Why readers love recipes like this
I think recipes like this do so well because they solve a very real problem: we want homemade desserts, but we don’t always want the effort that usually comes with them.
This one is quick, familiar, indulgent, and just clever enough to feel worth sharing. It’s the sort of recipe you make once and then keep in the back of your mind for every warm-weather gathering, sleepover, or emergency chocolate craving.
Also, if you’ve got a jar of Nutella in the pantry that keeps mysteriously disappearing one spoonful at a time, this is a very good excuse to use the rest of it.
More easy frozen dessert ideas
If this kind of simple dessert is your thing, you could easily build out a whole little collection of quick frozen treats around it. Nutella pairs beautifully with banana, coffee, vanilla, and even a pinch of sea salt if you want to get a bit fancy without really trying.
This is also the kind of recipe that would work well as a base for experimenting. Once you’ve made the basic version, you can start playing around with flavors and mix-ins depending on what you’ve got in the cupboard.
A clever dessert shortcut worth trying
Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that make you stop and say, “Wait… that’s it?”
This 2-ingredient Nutella ice cream is exactly that sort of recipe. It’s simple, rich, creamy, and wonderfully easy to pull together without special equipment. Perfect for summer, perfect for Nutella lovers, and perfect for those days when you want homemade dessert without the kitchen chaos.
