Homemade Cherry Cordial Ice Cream Recipe — Smooth Cherry Liqueur Swirl

Homemade Cherry Cordial Ice Cream recreates the flavor of chocolate-covered cherry cordials: tender maraschino cherry pieces and dark chocolate folded into a creamy, almond-scented ice cream base.

This easy no-churn Cherry Cordial ice cream starts with a sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream base flavored with almond extract for an amaretto-like note. Large pieces of drained maraschino cherries and chopped dark chocolate are folded in for texture and intense flavor.

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

• Authentic cordial flavor: The combination of almond extract, cherries, and dark chocolate closely mirrors classic cherry cordials.
• No-churn convenience: Skip the ice cream maker—this method is simple, fast, and produces a rich, scoopable ice cream.
• Only a few ingredients: With just five main components, the recipe is straightforward yet maintains a decadent texture and taste.

If you enjoy no-churn ice cream, explore other creative flavors after this one.

Ingredients in Cherry Cordial Ice Cream

• Sweetened condensed milk – A convenient base that replaces cooked custard and adds sweetness and body (one 14 oz can).
• Heavy whipping cream – Whipped to soft-stiff peaks to aerate the base and create a creamy texture.
• Almond extract – Provides an amaretto-like flavor that defines cherry cordial profiles; a little goes a long way.
• Maraschino cherries – Drain well, remove stems, and chop to distribute throughout the ice cream without adding extra liquid.
• Chocolate – Chopped semi-sweet or dark chocolate gives the best texture; mini chips can be used if preferred.

See the printable recipe card below for exact measurements and step-by-step instructions.

How to Store Homemade Ice Cream

Store the no-churn Cherry Cordial Ice Cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one month. Press a sheet of parchment or wax paper directly on the surface to minimize ice crystals. If the ice cream is too firm to scoop, let it sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes to soften slightly.

No Churn Ice Cream Tips

• Use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor and texture.
• Chill bowls and ingredients when possible so the cream whips faster and holds structure better.
• Drain the cherries: Excess jar syrup will thin the mixture and create ice crystals—save the syrup for drinks if you like.
• Keep the fat: Full-fat cream creates a smooth, scoopable texture; avoid low-fat substitutes.
• Mind the add-ins: If adding extras, limit to one or two and chop them into small, uniform pieces for even distribution.

Ice Cream Maker Cherry Cordial Ice Cream

To make this flavor in an ice cream maker, prepare a churnable base (for example, a vanilla custard or a Philadelphia-style vanilla) and add almond extract for the amaretto note. Churn according to your machine’s instructions and stir in the chopped cherries and chocolate during the final minutes of churning for even distribution.

Can I Use Chocolate Chips instead of Chocolate Chunks?

Yes. Chopped chocolate creates varied texture and larger pockets of chocolate, while mini semi-sweet chips distribute more uniformly and are convenient. Choose based on the texture you prefer.

More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

There are many fun ice cream flavors to try at home. A few crowd-pleasers include churro, orange creamsicle, candy cane, cake batter, and chocolate peanut butter ice cream variations.

LET’S GET SOCIAL — feel free to leave a comment below with questions or your tweaks to the recipe.

Did you make this Homemade Amaretto Cherry Cordial Ice Cream Recipe? Leave a comment below to share how it turned out and any add-ins you used.

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 maraschino cherries and dark chocolate in an amaretto-style 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 loaf pan with parchment paper and place it in the freezer.
2. In a large 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.
4. Gently fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk mixture until mostly uniform.
5. Fold in the drained, chopped maraschino cherries and chopped chocolate, taking care not to overmix.
6. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight until firm.

Notes

• Almond extract is central to the flavor; substitute vanilla if preferred.
• Use chopped chocolate or mini chocolate chips based on texture preference.
• Drain cherries well—do not add jar syrup to the ice cream base.
• Chilled whipping cream and a chilled bowl help the cream reach stiff peaks more easily.
• If using an ice cream maker, churn a base flavored with almond extract and add mix-ins near the end of churning.
• If the ice cream is very firm after freezing, let it sit a few minutes at room temperature before scooping.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 345Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 113mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 1gSugar: 33gProtein: 5g

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