Description
This delightful homemade strawberry ice cream recipe uses fresh strawberries and natural sweeteners to create a creamy, refreshing treat. Made with an ice cream maker, it’s perfect for enjoying during warm weather or anytime you crave a fruity dessert with a smooth, rich texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Strawberry Mixture
- 1 ½ cups strawberries, trimmed and chopped
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Cream Base
- 1 cup whipping cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the strawberry mixture: In a large bowl, combine the chopped strawberries, honey, sugar, and lemon juice. Allow the mixture to sit for 10–15 minutes so the strawberries release their natural juices and the flavors meld together.
- Mash the strawberries: Gently mash the strawberries with a potato masher to break them down slightly, maintaining some texture rather than pureeing them completely. This adds a pleasant fruitiness and consistency to your ice cream.
- Combine cream ingredients: Stir in the whipping cream, milk, and vanilla extract into the strawberry mixture until everything is well incorporated, creating a smooth ice cream base.
- Chill the mixture: Place the mixture in the freezer for about 10 minutes or refrigerate it until you’re ready to churn. Chilling helps the mixture freeze evenly and improves texture during churning.
- Churn the ice cream: Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This recipe took approximately 20 minutes to churn, resulting in a soft-serve consistency.
- Freeze or serve: You can serve the ice cream immediately for a soft-serve experience, or transfer it to the freezer for a few hours if you prefer a firmer scoop.
- Let soften before serving: Remove the ice cream from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before scooping. This step ensures smooth, easy scooping and enhances the texture.
Notes
- For best results, use ripe, fresh strawberries to maximize natural sweetness and flavor.
- If you do not have an ice cream maker, you can place the mixture in a shallow container in the freezer and stir every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals until fully frozen.
- Honey adds natural sweetness and a slight floral note; it can be substituted with agave syrup or maple syrup if preferred.
- Adjust sugar quantity depending on the sweetness of your strawberries and personal preference.
- Vanilla extract enhances the creaminess and depth of flavor but can be omitted for a purely strawberry-forward flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes (churning time in ice cream maker)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Ice Cream Maker
- Cuisine: American
