Superman Ice Cream (Michigan’s Favorite Ice Cream Flavor)
on Jan 16, 2021, Updated Nov 19, 2023
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Looking for a fun ice cream recipe? Look no further than Superman Ice Cream – Michigan’s favorite ice cream flavor! Our homemade vanilla superman ice cream comes as a swirl of 3 colors: blue, red, and yellow, just like the colors of Superman’s costume. This easy no-churn recipe will have you indulging in a sweet rainbow scoop in very little time.
Michiganders already know all about Superman ice cream, as it’s been proven to be the most searched flavor by their state. It’s often made with Blue Moon ice cream, a Midwestern staple, and can be hard to find elsewhere.
It’s no secret I love fun ice cream recipes. Boba Ice Cream, Rolled Ice Cream, and this Superman Ice Cream are my favorites! We’ll walk you through a quick and fun way to make this multicolor treat from scratch. This recipe is for a vanilla ice cream, but keep reading to find out about “The Great Superman Ice Cream Flavor Debate”.
What is Superman Ice Cream?
Superman Ice Cream is a frozen treat made with the colors of the superhero’s suit. Red, yellow and blue ice cream are swirled together to create super bright and colorful scoops.
Stroh’s, the beer company, is actually believed to be the creator of the Michigan favorite. It is said that during Prohibition era, when the brewery could not operate as usual, they pivoted to selling ice cream to stay afloat. This means that the ice cream was invented before the comic book came out in the 1930s. As the superhero grew in popularity, so did the ice cream flavor, and the connection between the two was made.
What is the Flavor of Superman Ice Cream?
The flavor of Superman ice cream is a heavily debated topic. People are incredibly passionate about what flavors are behind their favorite nostalgic frozen treat, but the answers are mixed.
Some insist the flavor combination is lemon, red soda pop and Blue Moon ice cream. But even the true taste of Blue Moon ice cream, a Midwest classic, is debated. Some will argue it has the taste of fruity cereal, while others claim it’s almond extract. Some describe it as marshmallow or bubble gum and others think it’s just vanilla and food coloring.
Other arguments suggest the yellow is a classic vanilla flavor and some companies seem to sell it as banana flavor. Suggested flavor combinations for the red color include strawberry and black cherry. The only thing people seem to agree on is that the colors must always reflect their namesake’s suit in being red, yellow and blue.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Heavy Cream: It’ll give this no-churn ice cream a smooth texture and creamy taste.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: It adds sweetness and a custardy mouthfeel. Not to be confused with evaporated milk.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds the subtle and delicious flavor of vanilla to your ice cream.
- Food Coloring: Use red, yellow and blue food coloring for this recipe.
How to Make No-Churn Superman Ice Cream Recipe
1. Beat the heavy cream until it forms firm peaks.
2. Fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until combined.
3. Divide the mixture into 3 equal portions and add to 3 bowls.
4. Add one food coloring to one bowl. Mix until the ice cream mixture is fully colored.
5. In a loaf pan or baking pan, scoop colored ice cream mixture alternately.
6. Give a quick swirl to layer the colors.
7. Place the ice cream into the freezer.
8. Let it freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight. Serve in cones or bowls.
Pro Tips
- This ice cream recipe is made without a machine. You’ll need to whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Don’t over-swirl the colored ice cream, otherwise, they’ll blend into one color.
- Allow the ice cream to sit for a few minutes at room temperature before serving. You can wet the ice cream scoop and spoon it onto cones or into bowls.
Where to Buy?
Many ice cream franchises have some version of Superman ice cream. Especially in the Midwest. But it can often be hard to find in other states.
If your local ice cream parlour doesn’t have a variation, check out the freezers at your grocery store. Hudsonville sells Super Scoop ice cream, and if your state has a UDF, they offer Super Moo ice cream. For any Canadians, Chapman’s sells Super Hero ice cream.
Is Superman Ice Cream Really Just Have Vanilla Flavor?
The flavor of Superman Ice Cream may just be the second most debated topic. While some fans are busy debating whether red should be soda or black cherry, and others argue over the true flavor of Blue Moon, another side insists the whole thing is just vanilla ice cream dyed different colors.
This simplified recipe will satisfy that bunch for sure. But for anyone who insists the colors have their own distinct flavor, try adding jello packs to each bowl with the food coloring. You can also add in a few drops of the flavor extract you see fit, just make sure to do so slowly, as it can quickly become overpowering. A helpful tip is to always take out a bit of the mixture before you add in any extracts, so you can always dilute it if you put too much.
Is Michigan the Only state with Superman Ice Cream?
Superman Ice Cream was ranked Michigan’s favorite ice cream, so there’s no doubt it’s easy to find there. While Blue Moon ice cream may be the norm in the Midwest, it can be a little trickier to find in other parts of the country.
If you can get your hands on Blue Moon, you can very easily mix it with other flavors to get the Superman feel. But if you’re struggling to find it at ice cream shops or in grocery store freezers, you may just have to make this sweet treat for yourself.
If You Like This Recipe Try These Out:
If you tried this recipe, let me know how your Superman Ice Cream turns out in the comments below!
Easy Superman Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- red food coloring
- yellow food coloring
- blue food coloring
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream until it forms firm peaks.
- Fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until combined.
- Divide the mixture into 3 equal portions, and add to 3 bowls.
- Add a few drips of one food coloring to one bowl. Mix until the ice cream mixture is fully colored. (The more coloring you add, the more intense the color.)
- In a baking pan or loaf ban, scoop colored ice cream mixture alternately. Give a quick swirl to layer the colors. (Make sure not to over mix, or the colors will blend too much.)
- Let it freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Allow the ice cream to sit for a few minutes at room temperature before serving. You can wet the ice cream scoop and spoon it onto cones or into bowls.
Notes
- You can add different flavors to each bowl of ice cream. Use jello packs or a few drops of flavor extract. Make sure to do so slowly as it can become overpowering.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
Such a fun recipe for the whole family! My kids loved making it and eating as well!
We made it after school and it turned out so good! What a fun recipe!