These homemade ice cream mooncakes are an easy no-bake dessert inspired by traditional mooncakes. Filled with your favorite ice cream and coated in chocolate.
Growing up, mooncakes were never just dessert. They were something you brought home in beautifully decorated boxes, sliced into little wedges, and shared around the table with a pot of hot tea. They only appeared once a year, which somehow made them feel even more special.
So the first time I saw an ice cream mooncake, I couldn’t decide if I should be impressed… or slightly offended. 😆
Ice cream? Inside a mooncake? It sounded like someone had taken a centuries-old tradition and decided to have a little fun with it.
Then I tried one. And suddenly the idea made perfect sense.
The familiar mooncake shape was still there, but instead of a dense lotus seed or red bean filling, there was creamy ice cream hiding inside a crisp chocolate shell. It felt familiar and completely different at the same time. Of course, that meant I had to see if I could make them at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A fun twist on traditional mooncakes.
- No baking required.
- Easy to customize with your favorite ice cream flavors.
- Perfect for Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations or summer desserts.
- Great make-ahead treat.
Tradition… with a Little Twist
Traditional mooncakes have been part of Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations for generations, usually filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or salted egg yolks. Ice cream mooncakes don’t replace that tradition. They’re simply a playful variation that has become popular in recent years, especially as a seasonal treat.
I like to think of them the same way I think about chocolate-covered strawberries. The original is still wonderful. This is just another delicious way to enjoy the idea.
Pick Your Favorite Flavor
One of the best things about homemade ice cream mooncakes is that you get to choose what’s inside. Some delicious options include:
- Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Matcha
- Coffee
- Strawberry
- Cookies & Cream
- Mango
- Durian (if you’re feeling adventurous!)
If you’re using a deeper mooncake mold, you can even create a small center to mimic the traditional salted egg yolk by freezing a second flavor inside.
Helpful Tips
- Freeze the ice cream until it’s completely firm before assembling.
- Work quickly once the chocolate coating is ready.
- Freeze again after unmolding so everything sets properly.
- Keep the mooncakes frozen until just before serving.
Make Ahead
These are perfect for making ahead. Store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two weeks, making them a great dessert to prepare before family gatherings or celebrations.
FAQs
Are ice cream mooncakes traditional?
Not in the traditional sense. They’re a modern dessert inspired by classic mooncakes and have become popular as a seasonal treat.
Do I need a mooncake mold?
Yes. A silicone mooncake mold makes creating the signature pattern much easier.
Can I use any ice cream flavor?
Absolutely. That’s one of the best parts of making them yourself.
A Little Catch-Up Before You Go
I still love traditional mooncakes. Nothing will replace opening a beautifully wrapped box during Mid-Autumn Festival and sharing slices with family over tea. But I also love that traditions have room to evolve.
Sometimes honoring a tradition means making it exactly the way it’s always been. Sometimes it means adding your own little twist and creating new memories around the same table. These ice cream mooncakes remind me that food doesn’t have to choose between old and new.
Sometimes it gets to be both. Thanks for catching up with me.
Originally published in 2017. Updated in 2026 with new photos, improved instructions, and additional cooking tips.
Homemade ice cream mooncakes
Ingredients
- 10 ounces milk or dark chocolate melting wafers
- 2 to 3 cups your favorite ice cream slightly softened
Instructions
Make the Chocolate Shell
- Melt the dark chocolate wafers according to the package directions. Let the chocolate cool for 3 to 5 minutes so it’s no longer piping hot.
- Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, coat the inside of each mooncake mold with an even layer of melted chocolate.
- Refrigerate for **15 to 20 minutes**, or until the chocolate has completely hardened.
- For a thicker shell, repeat with a second layer of chocolate and chill again.
Fill with Ice Cream
- Allow the ice cream to soften slightly until scoopable.
- Fill each mold about **¾ full**, gently pressing the ice cream into the mold to remove any air pockets.
- Freeze for **30 to 60 minutes**, or until the ice cream is firm.
Seal the Mooncakes
- Rewarm the remaining chocolate if needed.
- Spread an even layer of melted chocolate over the back of each mold to completely seal the ice cream inside.
- Use an offset spatula or the back of a knife to smooth off any excess chocolate.
- Freeze for at least **6 hours**, or overnight.
Unmold
- Carefully remove the mooncakes from the molds and serve immediately.
Notes
Oh my! That looks so good! I want one!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Thank you, Belle!
Omg! Ice cream mooncakes recipe looks super delish! I’ve never eaten them but they sound so yummy!
Thank you, Jessica. I’m sure you’re gonna like it 😉
I need to make these for my best friend. I never thought of making ice cream mooncakes! We are going to celebrate with dim sum, maybe I’ll make them have a clementine ice cream for luck!
Wow that sounds good, Krysten. Awesome idea 😉
These look so good! I’ve been looking for a recipe for dessert to take to a party this weekend – I may be trying these out!
Thank you, Ali! I hope everybody loved this recipe at the party 😉
LOVE THIS MOONCAKE! Anything with ice cream and chocolate will make me happy! I love that your mom will be making you guys’ favorite dishes for reunion dinner. That’s what I would want to! Happy New Year to you and your family, Linda!
Thank you, Lokness! I hope you had a great time and Happy New Year to you and your family, too!
These are so pretty and look delicious! I want to try these now!
Thank you, Cara!
Oh my goodness, all of this food sounds delicious! I have to get some ice cream now ASAP.
Thank you, Cori! There’s no such thing as too much ice cream 😉
These look insanely good!
Thank you, Lane & Holly!
Such a creative idea!
Thank you, Megan!
These mooncakes look so delish! Taro ice cream and moon cakes! And chocolates? This is dessert’s lover heaven! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thank you, Amy!
OhhEmmGeeee I need these in my life!!
Thank you, Bobbi! I’m glad you feel the same way with me 😉
These look so yummy!
Thank you, Rachel!
Those all look delicious! I’ve never tried one.
Chelsea – http://www.binkiesandbaubles.com
Thank you, Chelsea! Hoping you get a chance to try one 🙂
Wow, these cakes are so pretty! I love the detail on top!
Thank you, Madi! I also fell in love with the detail 🙂
I have been wanting to check out your recipe for weeks!! It’s so creative and any ice cream recipe will be my favorite! Where did you find a silicon moon cake mold?
Thank you, Sharon. I got the mold online from Amazon 🙂
you are so so talented! this is amazing!
Thank you so much, Deb! Same thing goes to you 🙂
Loving all of the ideas for Chinese New Year! Definitely going to try the mooncakes!
Thank you, Natalie! Have fun with the recipe 🙂
Your mooncakes are spectacular! Love your molds, too!!!
Lisa, those Ice Cream Mooncakes look soooo delicious. I’m going to ask my wife to make me some. I love ice cream. Thank you for sharing the incredible recipe!
SeekAndRead | SeekAndRead | Family Lifestyle
These look so good! I’ve been looking for a recipe for dessert to take to a party this weekend – I may be trying these out! thanks for sharing this article
This recipe is a fun twist on traditional moon cakes. I want to get a mold and make these myself. When we are in Chinatown in San Francisco we also get a couple of mooncakes.
I have never tried to make it, but it looks easy and delicious.
I am going to prepare this for my kids.