How to Make Your Own Superman Ice Cream

Few ice cream flavors capture the imagination quite like Superman ice cream. This vibrant tri-colored treat, beloved in the Midwest, turns any ice cream bowl into a superhero-worthy spectacle with its bold swirls of red, blue, and yellow. While the exact origin of this whimsical dessert remains a subject of debate, with both Stroh’s Brewery and ice cream parlors in Michigan claiming its creation, one thing is certain: its eye-catching appearance and unique blend of flavors have been delighting both children and adults for generations. Making this colorful concoction at home allows you to customize the flavors while maintaining its signature striking appearance.

For the all important ice cream maker, we recommend the Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream and Soft Serve Maker. This is ideal for making your Superman ice cream because its “Mix-In” and “Re-Spin” features help create those perfect swirls of color without over-mixing them together. The CREAMi pint containers also make it easy to layer your colors.

Here’s how to make Superman ice cream:

Equipment needed:

• Ice cream maker
• Large mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Storage container

For the ice cream base:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the colors/flavors:

• Red: Red food coloring + almond extract
• Blue: Blue food coloring + Blue Moon flavoring (or vanilla + citrus oils)
• Yellow: Yellow food coloring + lemon extract

Instructions:

1. Make the base: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream, milk, sugar, and salt until sugar dissolves completely. Add vanilla extract and whisk to combine.
2. Divide the base mixture evenly between three bowls.
3. Create the colored mixtures:

• Red bowl: Add 8-10 drops red food coloring and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• Blue bowl: Add 8-10 drops blue food coloring and 1/4 teaspoon Blue Moon flavoring
• Yellow bowl: Add 8-10 drops yellow food coloring and 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract

1. Churn each color separately in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions until they reach soft-serve consistency (usually 20-25 minutes each).
2. Layer the colors: In a freezer-safe container, add large scoops of each color in alternating fashion. Don’t mix them together – the goal is distinct swirls of color.
3. Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight until firm.
4. Let soften at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping.

Notes:

• If you can’t find Blue Moon flavoring, use vanilla extract with a tiny bit of citrus oil or lemon/orange extract
• The colors should be vibrant – don’t be shy with the food coloring
• Some versions use vanilla, cherry, and Blue Moon as the flavors instead of almond, lemon, and Blue Moon

This recipe yields about 1 quart of ice cream.

Have a different recipe or alternative way to make Superman ice cream that you’ve tried? Let us know in the comments below.