How to Make Filipino Cheese Ice Cream

story by KALEA MARTIN • photos by GRUBBANA STUDIOS

Not cheesecake ice cream. Not that limited edition Kraft mac and cheese ice cream from a few years back. We’re talking legit Filipino cheese ice cream made with actual chunks of cheese. Unless you’re Filipino or have visited the Philippines and actually paid attention to the ice cream flavors available, chances are you’ve never encountered this classic Filipino dessert, also known as queso ice cream or keso sorbetes. But if you’re curious enough to try it, you’re in for a treat.

What does queso ice cream taste like?

Queso ice cream is undeniably sweet, but the cheese flavor isn’t masked. You’ll definitely taste it. If you’ve ever had a Korean corn dog, specifically the kind filled with mozzarella and then dusted with sugar, it’s sort of like that—that same playful balance of sweet and savory. The type of cheese varies by brand or recipe, but it’s typically some form of mild processed cheese like cheddar, white American, or cream cheese. Aged cheeses like parmesan or bleu cheese are a no-go in queso ice cream, so you won’t need to worry about any overpowering funky or sharp flavors in your dessert.

@saikofood

FILIPINO CHEESE FLAVORED ICE CREAM 🍦 🧀 Things to Eat in the Philippines Part 4 🇵🇭 Yes you heard right, I said CHEESE ICE CREAM from the Philippines and it’s good! It’s not my first time having this but it is one of the better ones I’ve had in compared to simple store bought ones. This one they even have some cheese bits mixed in still so you know it’s legit cheese. Most people are afraid to try new flavors that doesn’t seem like a right combo to them, but I’d encourage anyone to try it even it’s different. It’s not gross at all. If you haven’t had Filipino queso before it’s actually a lil more sweet than you think. Even our Filipino spaghetti is made with similar cheeses that’s why people like it so much! I had this at @villaescuderoresort and I’m so glad I got to have it especially on a humid day like this one! If you were wondering how much I paid I don’t remember too well but I know for sure it was 100 pesos or less which is about $2 or less. #cheeseicecream #icecreamlover #cheeseflavor #cheesedessert #filipinodessert #filipinofood Things to eat in the Philippines visit Philippines travel food Manila Philippines food villa escudero travel blogger Asian blogger Asian foodie Filipino food Filipino blogger cheap food Philippines cheese flavored dessert Filipino cheese best food Philippines best food Manila

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Where to buy queso ice cream

You can often find queso ice cream at some Asian supermarkets, but a Filipino grocery store chain like Seafood City is your best bet. If you’d rather make it at home, or you simply can’t find a pint near you, luckily the recipe isn’t too complicated. Here’s how to make this Filipino staple at home.

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Filipino Cheese Ice Cream Recipe – No Churn

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3–4 oz mild cheddar, shredded (or cut into small chunks for pockets of cheese)

Instructions:

1. Whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
2. Mix the condensed milk and cream cheese in a separate bowl until smooth. The cream cheese will give the ice cream a richer, tangy-cheese backbone without overpowering sweetness.
3. Fold the condensed milk + cream cheese mixture gently into the whipped cream until fully combined.
4. Fold in the cheddar (shreds or small chunks). If you want the cheddar to feel more “toasty,” you can lightly pan-toast it first for a deeper flavor.
5. Transfer to a freezer-safe container, smooth the top, and cover. Freeze at least 6 hours or until firm.

Tips:

• If you prefer your queso ice cream extra cheesy, add cheese powder or cheese extract. Adding too much extra cream cheese or shredded cheese will alter the texture.
• To give your ice cream that signature yellow-orange hue, a few drops of food coloring should do the trick!

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