Name: Malted Milk Toffee Crunch Ice Cream
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 4 min
Ingredients: 2 cups Heavy cream (cold); 1 cup Whole milk (cold); 3/4 cup Granulated sugar; 1/2 cup Malted milk powder (lightly sifted if lumpy); 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (room temperature); 1/2 cup Toffee bits (chopped if large pieces); 1/2 cup Crushed malted milk balls (lightly crushed for texture)

Jump to Recipe

Creamy, crunchy, and delightfully nostalgic — Malted Milk Toffee Crunch Ice Cream is everything you want from a homemade frozen treat. Imagine a silky malted base studded with crunchy toffee bits and crushed malted milk balls that give you a satisfying snap in every spoonful. Fun fact: malted milk powder was originally invented in the 19th century as a health supplement and later became a favorite flavoring in shakes and desserts. This recipe is simple enough for weeknight dessert duties, quick to churn if you have an ice cream maker, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.

If you want a quick reference while you read, see our detailed Malted Milk Toffee Crunch Ice Cream recipe on RecipesFiber for a compact version. Compared to richer, more labor-intensive homemade custard-based ice creams on the blog, this one hits the sweet spot between creamy indulgence and speedy preparation, making it an ideal pick for cooks who love big flavor without the fuss. Ready to make a batch your whole family will request again and again? Let’s dive in.

What is Malted Milk Toffee Crunch Ice Cream?

What’s in a name? Malted Milk Toffee Crunch Ice Cream sounds like a dessert that could have walked out of a retro soda fountain, and that’s pretty accurate. Malted milk powder adds a toasty, slightly caramelized depth to the base, while toffee bits and crushed malted milk balls bring a crunchy, candy-like contrast. Who wouldn’t be curious? Is it the malt, the toffee, or the crunch that keeps people coming back for seconds? Maybe all three. A little fun anecdote: some folks claim this flavor combination is proof of the saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Try it and see how persuasive a spoonful can be. Go on — give it a whirl and taste the nostalgia.

Why You’ll Love This

Creamy malt-forward base: The malted milk powder gives the ice cream a warm, toffee-like richness that feels grown-up but still comforting. It’s the star of the show and makes each spoonful uniquely flavorful.
Budget-friendly and made-at-home perks: Store-bought specialty flavors can be pricey. Making this at home lets you control quality ingredients while saving money and customizing mix-ins to your liking.
Texture and toppings that sing: The toffee bits and crushed malted milk balls add crunchy contrast to the silky base — a delightful mouthfeel experience every time.

If you enjoy this kind of crunchy, nostalgic treat, you’ll also love how easy it is compared to some of our more elaborate desserts. And if you’re looking for another crowd-pleaser with a sauce element, check out our savory-sweet recipes like the garlic-rich dishes that round out family meals. Make this at home, garnish as you like, and watch people smile.

How to Make:

Quick Overview

This recipe is straightforward: whisk a malted milk–infused cream base, churn in an ice cream maker, fold in crunchy mix-ins, then freeze until firm. It’s easy enough for beginners, produces a luxuriously smooth texture, and delivers a crunchy finish from the toffee bits. Prep time is about 10 minutes, churn time around 20–25 minutes, and freezing time at least 4 hours.

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream, cold
1 cup whole milk, cold
3/4 cup sugar, granulated
1/2 cup malted milk powder, lightly sifted if lumpy
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, room temperature
1/2 cup toffee bits, chopped if large pieces
1/2 cup crushed malted milk balls, lightly crushed for texture

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup malted milk powder, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined and the sugar has dissolved. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes of whisking; a balloon whisk works great to fully integrate the malt powder.
Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (about 20-25 minutes). Churn until the mixture thickens to a soft-serve consistency; do not overchurn.
When the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency, add in the 1/2 cup toffee bits and 1/2 cup crushed malted milk balls, mixing them in evenly for about 30 seconds so they distribute throughout.
Transfer the ice cream to a lidded, freezer-safe container, smoothing the top with a spatula. Press a piece of parchment directly on the surface to minimize ice crystals and seal with the lid.
Freeze for at least 4 hours until firm. Scoop and enjoy with your favorite toppings!

Malted Milk Toffee Crunch Ice Cream

What to Serve With

Warm chocolate sauce or caramel sauce for drizzling — the heat contrasts nicely with the cold, creamy texture.
Fresh berries or sliced bananas to add a bright, juicy note.
Crisp lace cookies or thin waffles for extra crunch and an elegant presentation.
Coffee or espresso for a dessert pairing that feels grown-up and balanced.
A simple scoop atop warm apple pie for a classic à la mode twist.

Top Tips for Perfecting

Malt powder consistency: If your malted milk powder is clumpy, sift or whisk it well into the liquid to avoid grainy pockets.
Mix-in timing: Fold in toffee and crushed malted milk balls at the end of churning to ensure even distribution without softening the base.
Softer scoops: For easier scooping, remove the container from the freezer 5–10 minutes before serving.
Substitute ideas: Light cream or a lower-fat milk will thin the base; for best texture, keep the heavy cream. Use chopped chocolate-covered toffee for a richer twist.
Avoid freezer burn: Store in a shallow, airtight container and press plastic wrap onto the surface before sealing to reduce ice crystals.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Refrigeration: Homemade ice cream should not be stored in the refrigerator; keep it in the freezer.
Freezing instructions: Store in a freezer-safe container with an airtight lid, pressing parchment or plastic wrap directly onto the ice cream surface to prevent ice crystals.
Shelf life: Best eaten within 2 weeks for optimal texture and flavor; after that it may develop ice crystals and lose creaminess.
Reheating: Reheating doesn’t apply to ice cream, but if the texture is too hard from the freezer, let it sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes for scoopable softness.

FAQs

Can I make this without an ice cream maker?
Yes. Combine the base as directed, pour into a shallow, freezer-safe pan, freeze for about 45 minutes, then whisk vigorously to break up crystals. Repeat every 30–45 minutes until creamy, then fold in the mix-ins and freeze until firm.

Can I use non-dairy milk or cream substitutes?
You can, but texture will vary. Full-fat coconut milk gives a richer result; almond or oat milk will be thinner and less creamy. Consider using coconut cream in place of heavy cream for best non-dairy texture.

How do I keep the toffee from getting too hard in the freezer?
Use high-quality toffee bits designed for ice cream; they retain a pleasant crunch even when frozen. Avoid coating them in chocolate, which can become overly hard at freezer temperatures.

Can I prepare the base a day ahead?
Absolutely. Chill the prepared base in the fridge for up to 24 hours before churning. Cold base churns faster and yields smoother ice cream.

Is there a way to make the flavor more intense?
Increase the malted milk powder by 1–2 tablespoons or stir in a tablespoon of malted milk syrup if you have it. A pinch of fine sea salt can also amplify sweetness and deepen flavor.

Conclusion

This Malted Milk Toffee Crunch Ice Cream is a lovely balance of creamy malt-infused base and candy-like crunch that’s both simple to make and incredibly satisfying. It’s a great weekend project, a fun family activity, and a dessert that’s impressive without being complicated. If you want to compare techniques or see another take on this flavor, check out this classic Malted Milk Toffee Crunch Ice Cream Recipe for additional tips and inspiration. Give it a try, share it with friends or family, and enjoy the smiles that follow.