Copycat Ben and Jerry’s Netflix and Chilled Recipe

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What if I told you that you could recreate this iconic flavor in your kitchen? Yes, you can make your version of Ben and Jerry’s Netflix and Chilled—and trust me, it’s not just satisfying but also fun to whip up.

How to make Ben and Jerry’s Netflix and Chilled

Ben & Jerry’s Netflix & Chill’d is a playful collaboration with Netflix, cleverly riffing on the phrase “Netflix and chill.” It’s a rich peanut-butter ice cream loaded with sweet-and-salty pretzel swirls and fudge brownie chunks—engineered to be the ultimate snack while streaming your favorite show.

Ingredients

For the Peanut Butter Ice Cream Base

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (smooth, not chunky)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Pretzel Swirl

• 1 cup crushed pretzels
• 2–3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

For the Fudgy Brownie Chunks

• 1 cup brownie squares (homemade or store-bought, cut into bite-sized chunks)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Peanut Butter Ice Cream Base

1. Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, milk, sugar, and peanut butter until fully smooth. Add vanilla extract and whisk until the mixture is well combined.
2. Chill the mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2–3 hours (or overnight) to chill. This helps the ice cream churn smoothly and improves the texture.
3. Churn the ice cream: Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually 20–25 minutes). It should reach a soft-serve consistency.

Step 2: Prepare the Pretzel Swirl

1. Crush the pretzels: Place pretzels in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into small pieces.
2. Mix the swirl: In a small mixing bowl, toss the crushed pretzels with melted butter and brown sugar until coated. Set the mixture aside.

Step 3: Add the Fudgy Brownie Chunks

1. Cut your brownies into small bite-sized pieces. If you’re making them from scratch, allow them to cool completely before chopping them into chunks to ensure they don’t crumble.

Step 4: Assemble the Ice Cream

1. Layer the mix-ins: When the ice cream is churned, transfer it to a freezer-safe container in layers. Start with a layer of ice cream, then add a spoonful of pretzel swirl and scatter brownie chunks on top. Repeat until all ingredients are used.
2. Swirl everything together: Gently fold the ice cream and mix-ins together with a spatula to create a marbled effect. Be careful not to mix too much—the swirls should stay distinct!
3. Freeze: Cover the container and freeze the ice cream for at least 4–6 hours (or overnight) to allow it to firm up.

Tips for the Perfect Netflix and Chilled Ice Cream

• Be patient with layering: Taking your time while layering the mix-ins helps distribute the pretzel swirl and brownie chunks evenly throughout the ice cream.
• Use high-quality peanut butter: For a creamy and smooth base, avoid chunky varieties or peanut butter brands with added oils. The purer, the better.
• Don’t overcrush the pretzels: You want some texture, so aim for small pieces rather than powder.
• Make brownies ahead of time: If you’re baking brownies from scratch, prepare them a day in advance for convenience.
• Customizable mix-ins: If you want to experiment, consider adding a pinch of sea salt for extra balance, or drizzle chocolate syrup for extra indulgence!

What to serve with

Ben & Jerry’s Netflix and Chilled is already a decadent treat on its own, with the creamy peanut butter base, salty pretzel swirl, and fudgy brownie chunks harmonizing beautifully.

A. Warm Brownies or Blondies

• Serve a warm slice of fudgy brownie or blondie alongside your Ben and Jerry’s Netflix and Chilled ice cream. The warm, melty chocolate contrasts beautifully with the cold creaminess.
• Optional Twist: Drizzle with peanut butter sauce or caramel for added richness.

B. Pretzel Dust Cookies

Pair the Ben and Jerry’s Netflix and Chilled with cookies studded with pretzels for extra crunch and to complement the salty pretzel swirl in the ice cream.

Tip: Try a pretzel-peanut butter cookie for a cohesive flavor palate.

C. Mini Waffles

Serve a stack of mini Belgian waffles drizzled with maple syrup or chocolate sauce. The buttery texture of waffles pairs well with the creamy peanut butter ice cream.

D. Chocolate Cups

Provide small chocolate cups (or even Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups) for guests to take bites alongside the Ben and Jerry’s Netflix and Chilled. These enhance the chocolate and peanut butter flavors already present.

Ingredients Substitutes

Ben & Jerry’s Netflix & Chill’d is a popular pint that combines peanut butter ice cream, sweet and salty pretzel swirls, and fudge brownies. If you’re looking to recreate this treat but need ingredient substitutes for dietary needs, allergies, or preference reasons, here’s a detailed breakdown of substitutions for each component:

1. Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Peanut butter ice cream serves as the base flavor in Ben and Jerry’s Netflix and Chilled. If you’re unable or unwilling to use peanut butter, here are some alternatives:

Nut Allergies or Aversion to Peanut Butter:

• Substitute sunflower seed butter: Sunflower seed butter has a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor. It’s allergy-friendly and can replicate the richness of peanut butter.
• Use cookie butter (Biscoff spread): Cookie butter offers a unique spiced flavor and creamy texture.
• Swap with almond butter or cashew butter: If your concern is limited to peanut allergies and not other tree nuts, almond or cashew butter can be great alternatives.

Non-Dairy or Vegan Substitutes:

• Use vegan peanut butter (most peanut butter brands are already vegan but double-check the label for added dairy ingredients).
• Replace dairy-based ice cream with vegan ice cream base made from coconut milk, almond milk, or oat milk. Combine this with your preferred nut or seed butter for the same creamy consistency.

2. Pretzel Swirls

Sweet and salty pretzel swirls provide a crunchy and salty contrast to the creamy ice cream. Here are substitutes:

Gluten-Free Options:

• Use gluten-free pretzels: Many brands offer gluten-free pretzels made from alternative flours like rice or tapioca.
• Replace pretzel swirls with crushed gluten-free crackers if pretzels aren’t available.

Non-Pretzel Alternatives:

• Substitute with salted caramel sauce: Salted caramel provides a sweet and salty flavor profile similar to pretzels.
• Use crushed salted nuts (like almonds or peanuts): These can mimic the salty crunch.
• Try potato chips: Crushed potato chips can replicate the salty crunch, especially if using thicker varieties.

3. Fudge Brownies

The fudge brownie pieces in Netflix & Chill’d add a gooey chocolate richness to the mix. If you need substitutions for dietary or preference reasons, here are options:

Gluten-Free Substitutes: Make or buy gluten-free brownies. Many stores offer pre-made versions, or you can bake brownies using alternative flours like almond or coconut flour.

Vegan Alternatives:

Use vegan brownies: Replace eggs and dairy with flaxseed meal, chia seeds, aquafaba, or applesauce in homemade brownie recipes.

Other Chocolate Options:

• Substitute with chocolate chunks or chocolate chips: If brownies aren’t available, chunks of chocolate can still give you the decadent flavor.
• Use crumbled Oreo cookies: Oreos are often vegan and can add a similar chocolatey crunch.

4. Other Substitutes for Dietary Restrictions

If you’re tailoring this recipe further, here are additional tips:

Sugar-Free Options:

• Use sugar-free peanut butter, pretzels, and brownies to reduce the sugar content while maintaining flavor.
• Sweeten your ice cream base with natural alternatives like monk fruit sweetener, stevia, or erythritol.

Lower-Calorie Options:

• Replace fudge brownies with dark chocolate shavings or small pieces of lower-calorie chocolate.
• Swap out regular peanut butter with powdered peanut butter (mix it with water to achieve the same consistency).
• Nut-Free Alternative Entirely: Instead of peanut butter ice cream, go with a vanilla or chocolate ice cream base and focus on pretzel swirls and fudge brownies as the main flavors.

Final Thoughts

Ben and Jerry’s Netflix and Chilled pairs well with an array of treats, drinks, and snacks that complement its sweet-and-salty decadence.

More Ice Cream Recipes:

• Stir-Fried Ice Cream Recipe
• Copycat Coldstone Ice Cream Taco Recipe