Cereal Milk Recipe

Cereal Milk Ice Cream—a creamy, nostalgic treat inspired by the Milk Bar, capturing the sweet, toasty flavors of the milk left at the bottom of your cereal bowl!

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Recipe Background

Cereal Milk Ice Cream is a modern twist on a nostalgic childhood favorite, inspired by the sweet, flavorful milk left at the bottom of a cereal bowl. The concept gained popularity in the early 2000s when pastry chef Christina Tosi of Milk Bar introduced it as a signature ingredient in her desserts. Tosi’s innovation involved steeping cereal in milk to capture its essence, then using it to create ice cream, panna cotta, and other treats.

The idea quickly became a cultural phenomenon, sparking a wave of creativity in ice cream flavors. Cereal Milk Ice Cream blends the comforting flavors of childhood with the craftsmanship of artisan ice cream, offering a balance of creamy texture and subtle sweetness with hints of caramelized cereal. Today, this unique flavor continues to be reimagined by ice cream makers around the world, using different cereals to create a variety of nostalgic and modern variations.

Ingredients

2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups favorite cereal (Cornflakes, Fruity Pebbles, or Cinnamon Toast Crunch work great!)
2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Infuse the Milk: In a large bowl, combine the milk, heavy cream, and cereal. Stir gently and let it sit for 20–30 minutes to absorb the flavor.
Strain: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into another bowl, pressing down on the cereal to extract all the flavorful milk. Discard the soggy cereal.
Sweeten & Flavor: Whisk in the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until fully dissolved.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using to enhance the flavors.
Use & Enjoy: Use as a base for ice cream, milkshakes, coffee, or enjoy it as a nostalgic drink!

Pro Tip:

For extra flavor, toast the cereal in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes before steeping. It deepens the caramelized notes and makes the cereal milk even better!