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If you are looking for the easiest frozen treat to make on a hot summer day, this 2 Ingredient Watermelon Ice Cream is about as simple as it gets! All you need is half of a watermelon and a little heavy cream to create a creamy, refreshing dessert right inside the watermelon rind.

There is no ice cream maker, food processor, or blender needed. You simply freeze the watermelon half, pour heavy cream into the center, and scrape the frozen watermelon flesh into the cream. As you scrape and mix, the watermelon turns into a creamy, slushy ice cream that you can eat straight from the rind.

It is such a fun summertime dessert and a great way to use up fresh watermelon while it is in season.

Why You'll Love This 2 Ingredient Watermelon Ice Cream

Watermelon is already one of the most refreshing summer fruits, but freezing it takes it to an entirely different level.

This easy watermelon ice cream is:

• Made with only 2 ingredients
• No-churn and no ice cream maker required
• Made without a blender or food processor
• Ready in just a few minutes once the watermelon is frozen
• Naturally sweet from fresh watermelon
• Served right inside the watermelon rind
• Perfect for hot summer afternoons

And because you make it right in the frozen watermelon half, cleanup is practically nonexistent!

Ingredients for 2 Ingredient Watermelon Ice Cream

You only need two simple ingredients:

1/2 watermelon, frozen
1/4 cup heavy cream

That's it!

For the best flavor, choose a ripe, sweet watermelon. Since there is no added sugar in this recipe, the sweetness of your watermelon will determine how sweet your finished ice cream tastes.

How to Make 2 Ingredient Watermelon Ice Cream

Step 1: Prepare the Watermelon

Cut a watermelon in half.

Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, scoop out a small hole in the center of the watermelon. You don't want to scoop out all the fruit. You're simply creating a little well where you can pour the heavy cream later.

Place the watermelon half in the freezer and freeze until completely solid. I recommend freezing it overnight so the watermelon has plenty of time to get nice and firm.

Step 2: Add the Heavy Cream

Remove the frozen watermelon half from the freezer.

Pour 1/4 cup of heavy cream into the hole you created in the center.

Step 3: Scrape and Mix

Now comes the fun part!

Using a spoon, begin scraping the frozen watermelon flesh from around the inside of the watermelon.

As you scrape, mix the frozen watermelon into the heavy cream in the center.

Continue scraping and stirring until the watermelon and cream come together and have a creamy, frozen ice cream consistency.

Then grab a spoon and dig in!

The Secret Is Freezing the Watermelon First

What makes this recipe so much fun is that the watermelon itself becomes your frozen base.

Instead of cutting watermelon into cubes, freezing them, and putting everything into a blender, you're freezing the entire watermelon half.

As you scrape the frozen fruit, you create tiny pieces of watermelon ice. Mixing those pieces with heavy cream gives them a creamier texture similar to a cross between watermelon sorbet and ice cream.

Plus, the frozen rind acts like its own ice cream bowl and helps keep everything cold while you're eating it.

How Long Does Watermelon Take to Freeze?

Plan on freezing your watermelon for at least 6 to 8 hours, although overnight is even better.

Because you're freezing an entire watermelon half rather than small cubes, it takes considerably longer to freeze all the way through.

If you're making this for a summer party or cookout, prepare your watermelon the night before and leave it in the freezer until you're ready for dessert.

Tips for the Best 2 Ingredient Watermelon Ice Cream

Choose a sweet watermelon. Since this recipe doesn't contain added sugar, start with the sweetest watermelon you can find.

Freeze it completely. If the watermelon isn't frozen solid, you'll end up with something closer to a creamy watermelon slush.

Use heavy cream. The higher fat content gives the frozen watermelon a richer, creamier consistency.

Scrape a little at a time. Work your way outward from the center, scraping thin layers of frozen watermelon and mixing them into the cream.

Eat it immediately. This dessert is best enjoyed as soon as you make it. The watermelon will begin to thaw as it sits.

Can I Add Sugar?

Absolutely. If your watermelon isn't quite as sweet as you'd like, you can mix a little powdered sugar or honey into the heavy cream before adding it to the watermelon.

However, a really ripe summer watermelon should be sweet enough on its own.

Fun Topping Ideas

The simplicity of this 2 ingredient watermelon ice cream is part of what makes it so good, but you can definitely dress it up.

Try adding mini chocolate chips for a fun watermelon seed look, fresh mint, shredded coconut, a squeeze of lime juice, or even a little Tajín for a sweet and spicy version.

You could also drizzle a little sweetened condensed milk over the top if you want an extra-rich treat.

A Fun Summer Dessert

I love finding easy recipes that don't require turning on the oven during the hottest part of summer, and this one couldn't be easier.

There is something especially fun about sitting down with a frozen watermelon half and scraping your own watermelon ice cream right out of the rind.

It's refreshing, creamy, naturally fruity, and only requires two ingredients.

The hardest part is waiting for the watermelon to freeze!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is watermelon ice cream the same as watermelon sorbet?

Not quite. Sorbet is typically made with fruit, sugar, and sometimes water or citrus juice. This version uses heavy cream, which gives the frozen watermelon a creamier texture.

Do I need an ice cream maker?

No! That's one of the best things about this recipe. The frozen watermelon does all the work.

Do I need a blender?

No blender is needed. Everything is scraped and mixed directly inside the frozen watermelon.

Can I make this dairy-free?

You can experiment with full-fat coconut cream in place of heavy cream. The flavor will be slightly different, but coconut and watermelon pair beautifully together.

Can I freeze a whole watermelon?

For this recipe, cut the watermelon in half first. Freezing the half makes it much easier to scrape the frozen fruit and gives you a natural bowl for mixing your ice cream.

More Easy Summer Treats

When summer temperatures start climbing, simple frozen desserts are always a good idea. This 2 Ingredient Watermelon Ice Cream is perfect when you want something refreshing without spending all afternoon in the kitchen.

Grab a watermelon, make a little space in your freezer, and give this fun summer ice cream hack a try!

Love Ice Cream? Check these recipes out

• Nutella Ice Cream
• Coffee Ice Cream
• Cookies and Cream Ice Cream