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This Insanely Easy ‘Fruit Ice Cream’ Trend Is Taking Over TikTok

The easiest homemade true fruit ice cream is popping up all over TikTok and you don’t even need an ice cream maker. TikTokers have been getting fruits like watermelons (or other fruits), freezing them solid, pouring in milk, and essentially making their own fruity ice cream. No churning, no sugar added required, and no dishes aside from a spoon. This might just be the easiest way to cool down without sweating more this summer.

TikTok creator @lifeofcian put some of the more interesting spins on it by trying it out with a variety of fruits. After struggling to stop eating, even he has to admit this is the “dessert of the summer.” With the video quickly closing in on 600,000 likes in just two days, the comment section is loving it but also debating over whether or not the finished product is technically a sorbet or sherbet.

How people are making it

Thanks to Sameen, who broke it down into an actual recipe, not even I can mess it up. All you have to do is cut a watermelon (or sizable fruit of your choice) in half, scoop a nice hole in the center, freeze for around 1-2 days, pour milk into the hole, then scrape and mix it all together. If you want it to be even creamier, just sub the milk for condensed milk or heavy cream. 

@sameenmaali

The perfect 2-ingredient dessert for this heat wave: watermelon ice cream 🍉 Recipe: • 1 watermelon • Milk (you could sub with condensed milk or heavy cream if you want it creamier) 1. Cut watermelon in half and scoop a hole into the center 2. Freeze 1-2 days so the whole watermelon freezes through 3. Pour milk into the hole 4. Scrape watermelon and mix! #easyrecipe #healthyrecipe #desserttiktok #summerrecipes #asmr

♬ original sound – Sameen

Given how simple it seems, it makes sense to be a bit skeptical. User @thefoodinbox was too, but in the end they were left in awe just like everyone else. As long as you make sure to freeze your fruit all the way through, there should be no problems.

A few others have made theirs using cantaloupe and swapping the milk for coconut milk or a high-protein milk, to keep fit and support skin health. While it sounds too good to be true, the facts do check out. Looks like the trend is spreading across both FoodTok and HealthTok.

@thefoodinbox

2 ingredient frozen watermelon ice cream 🍧 We saw lots of people making this so we had to give it a go for ourselves – you only need two ingredients, a frozen watermelon and milk 😎 honestly I was a little sceptical, but it turned out pretty good! Just make sure to freeze your watermelon overnight so it’s completely solid all the way through! #watermelonh #watermelonicecream #easydessert #easyicecream

♬ nhạc nền – 小王子。。 – 小王子。。

Truly ice cream? Nah

Technically, it’s not ice cream, and the comment sections know it. One top comment sums up the videos to “bro discovered sorbet,” prompting others to argue that it’s actually sherbet my definition. And honestly, I agree with the sherbet comments. Especially since, this is how you make watermelon sorbet at home. But let’s be real, “ice cream” gets a whole lot more views. Regardless of if it’s sherbet or not, are you really going to turn down something cold and sweet this summer?

Try it out

Just be sure to freeze the fruit long enough, pick your milk, and don’t overthink the name too much. It’s a dessert that’s not only cooling you down during this heatwave, but it also prevents your wallet from sweating so much.

Zach is a national writer at Spoon University, where he covers food news, trends, and budget-friendly hacks for cooking on a college income. His writing focuses on making good food accessible, whether that means breaking down the latest food trend, reviewing a viral product, or finding the cheapest way to eat well in a college town.

Beyond Spoon, Zach has experience as a legal secretary intern and banquet server, both of which sharpened his ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. He is currently a senior at Florida State University, completing a Bachelor of Arts in Editing, Writing, and Media with a minor in Management Information Systems. He also holds an associate's degree in Marketing Management.

Growing up with Cuban and Jamaican home cooking set a high bar early, which is a big part of what makes budget food interesting to him rather than just a limitation. Outside of writing, he spends time at the gym, watches anime, and is steadily working toward Spanish fluency. He lives in Tallahassee with his dog, who has strong opinions about meal timing. After graduation, he plans to take a gap year before attending law school.