This Creamy Homemade Pineapple Dole Whip is everything you love about the iconic treat. It is bright, tropical, and refreshing, but with a rich, velvety twist made right at home. Using frozen pineapple, heavy cream, and a touch of honey, this version blends into a smooth, scoopable dessert that feels indulgent while still being incredibly simple.
Traditional Dole Whip is dairy free and made without cream, relying on fruit and stabilizers for texture. This homemade version leans into creaminess for a softer, richer mouthfeel that’s easier to replicate at home without specialty ingredients. The result is a pineapple whip that tastes luxurious, melts beautifully, and comes together in minutes using just a food processor.
This recipe is best enjoyed immediately after blending, when the texture is thick, airy, and ultra smooth. It is perfect for hot days, summer gatherings, or when you want a quick dessert that feels special with minimal effort.
Why you’ll love this recipe!
What ingredients do I need?
- Frozen Pineapple Chunks: The base of this recipe, frozen pineapple provides natural sweetness, acidity, and that signature tropical flavor. Frozen fruit is essential for the thick, whip-like texture.
- Heavy Cream: Adds richness and body, creating a smooth, creamy consistency that’s easier to achieve at home than traditional dairy-free versions.
- Honey: Lightly sweetens the whip while complementing the pineapple’s natural flavor without overpowering it.
Isn’t Traditional Dole Whip dairy free?
Yes, traditional Dole Whip is a dairy free, soft serve style pineapple dessert made with water, sugar, and stabilizers instead of than cream. But because it’s produced using commercial soft serve machines, it achieves a light, fluffy texture without the dairy. This homemade pineapple Dole Whip recipe uses heavy cream instead, to create a rich, smooth consistency that’s easy to replicate at home without specialty equipment. While not traditional, the cream helps deliver a creamy, scoopable texture that blends beautifully in a food processor.
Recipe Variations
- Add a splash of vanilla extract for extra depth if you like that vanilla flavor.
- Blend in lime zest or juice for a brighter citrus note.
- Turn it into a float by pouring sparkling water, or pineapple juice, over top.
- Use with coconut whipped cream for a layered dessert.
- Flavor variations:
- Strawberry Whip: Swap frozen pineapple for frozen strawberries. Strawberries are slightly less acidic, so you may want to add an extra drizzle of honey to balance the flavor. This version is creamy, bright, and naturally pink.
- Mango Whip: Use frozen mango chunks for a smooth, tropical variation that’s naturally sweet and ultra-creamy. Mango blends especially well with heavy cream and often needs less added sweetener.
- Mixed Berry Whip: Use frozen mixed berries for a deeper berry flavor. Because berries can be more tart, adjust honey to taste and add a splash of cream if needed for smoothness.
Pro Tips
- Pulse and scrape down the food processor several times to achieve a smooth texture.
- Serve immediately for the best consistency. This whip melts quickly.
- If freezing leftovers, allow it to soften at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before scooping.
- Use very ripe pineapple for maximum natural sweetness
- For flavor variations: Different fruits have different water contents. If your mixture feels too thick, add an extra splash of cream. If it’s too soft, add more frozen fruit and pulse again.
Can I Substitute?
Yes! Like always though, any substitutions made to the recipe can result in a change in texture and/or flavor.
- Honey: Swap with maple syrup or agave nectar
- Heavy Cream: Use coconut cream for a dairy free option
- Pineapple: Replace with frozen mango or a pineapple mango blend
Dietary Substitutions
- Dairy Free: Use full fat coconut cream instead of heavy cream
- Vegan: Swap honey for maple syrup or agave
- Lower Sugar: Reduce honey or omit entirely if pineapple is very ripe
Leftovers and Storage
- This recipe is best enjoyed immediately.
- If storing, freeze in an airtight container for up to one week. Allow it to soften slightly before scooping to regain a smooth texture.
But, I Still Have A Few Questions…
Is traditional Dole Whip dairy free?
Yes. Traditional Dole Whip is completely dairy free and vegan. It does not contain cream or milk and instead relies on water, sugar, flavoring, and stabilizers to achieve its soft serve texture.
Why does this homemade Dole Whip recipe use cream?
At home, it’s difficult to replicate the texture of traditional Dole Whip without commercial stabilizers or a soft serve machine. Heavy cream helps create a smooth, creamy consistency using simple ingredients and standard kitchen equipment.
Can I make this dairy free?
Yes. You can substitute full fat coconut milk or coconut cream for the heavy cream to keep it dairy free while maintaining a creamy texture.
Is this best served immediately?
Yes. This homemade Dole Whip has the best texture right after blending. If frozen, allow it to soften slightly before scooping to restore creaminess.
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of frozen?
Fresh pineapple should be frozen before using in this recipe. Using unfrozen pineapple will result in a thin, juice like consistency rather than a thick, scoopable whip. For best results, freeze fresh pineapple chunks until solid before blending.
Is this best served right away?
Yes. This homemade Dole Whip is best enjoyed immediately after blending when the texture is light, smooth, and creamy.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, but the texture will firm up. Allow the Dole Whip to sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before scooping to restore creaminess.
How do I scale this recipe down?
To make a half batch, use 1½ cups frozen pineapple, ½ cup heavy cream, and ½ tablespoon honey. Blend as directed.
Why do I need to scrape down the food processor?
Scraping the sides helps ensure all the frozen pineapple blends evenly, creating a smoother texture without icy chunks.
Can I make this in a blender instead of a food processor?
Yes, but a high powered blender works best. You may need to stop frequently, scrape the sides, and use a tamper to help the mixture blend evenly.
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Ingredients
- 3 cups frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Add the frozen pineapple, heavy cream, and honey to a food processor.
- Process until thick and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides 3–4 times to ensure everything blends evenly.
- Continue blending until smooth, fluffy, and scoopable.
- Serve immediately for the best texture.
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Nutritional Content Disclaimer
I choose not to include nutritional information with my recipes, as these values can be calculated from the ingredients provided. With my background as a pediatric nurse practitioner and my own family experience with disordered eating, I understand how focusing on numbers can affect our relationship with food. My philosophy is that all foods have a place—sweet, savory, nourishing, or indulgent. I aim to share recipes that support a healthy, joyful approach to eating. My hope is that this space also encourages a balanced, healthy relationship with food for you and your family too.