Strawberry Ice Cream
This creamy, homemade strawberry ice cream is made with fresh strawberries, heavy cream, and a rich custard base. It's bursting with natural strawberry flavor and has a smooth, velvety texture—perfect for a summer treat or dessert anytime.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries (hulled and chopped)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the strawberries:
- Place the chopped strawberries in a bowl. Add 1/4 cup sugar and the lemon juice.
- Stir to combine and let sit for about 15-20 minutes. This helps macerate the strawberries.
- Use a blender or food processor to puree the strawberries until smooth (a few small chunks are okay for texture). Set aside.
Make the custard base:
- In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and heavy cream over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar until pale and slightly thickened.
Temper the eggs:
- Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Gradually pour the tempered yolks back into the saucepan with the remaining cream mixture.
Cook the custard:
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of the spoon (170-175°F or about 77°C).
- Do not let it boil. Remove from heat.
Combine with strawberry puree:
- Stir the strawberry puree and vanilla extract into the custard base. Mix until fully combined.
Chill the mixture:
- Transfer the custard to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until completely chilled.
Churn the ice cream:
- Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually about 20-25 minutes).
Freeze:
- Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up.
Serve:
- Scoop and serve the strawberry ice cream with fresh strawberries or toppings of your choice.