Dreamy Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe for Sweet Cravings

Cool summer memories flood back when creamy strawberry ice cream touches your tongue.

Sweet berries burst with natural flavor in this delightful dessert.

Local strawberries create a rich, vibrant base for the smoothest homemade treat.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in crafting something extraordinary.

Chilling the mixture allows complex flavors to develop perfectly.

Each spoonful promises pure deliciousness that connects you with seasonal happiness.

Grab a scoop and let refreshing magic begin!

Why Strawberry Ice Cream Is Always A Good Idea

• Craft Creamy Perfection: This strawberry ice cream delivers a velvety smooth texture that melts perfectly on your tongue, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Master Homemade Technique: The recipe teaches classic custard-making skills, allowing home cooks to understand sophisticated ice cream preparation methods with simple steps.
• Celebrate Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh strawberries ensures a vibrant, natural flavor that store-bought versions can't match, giving you a pure and authentic dessert.
• Customize with Ease: The base recipe offers flexibility for adding extra mix-ins like chocolate chips, crushed nuts, or a swirl of raspberry sauce to make it uniquely yours.

What Goes Into Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

• Strawberries: Fresh, ripe berries that provide the primary flavor and vibrant color for the ice cream.
• Egg Yolks: Rich, creamy base that helps create a smooth and luxurious texture in the ice cream.
• Milk: Provides a rich and smooth foundation for the ice cream base.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creates a luscious, creamy consistency.

• Sugar: Sweetens the ice cream and helps create a smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor that complements the strawberry.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the ice cream.

• Fresh Strawberry Pieces: Adds a beautiful visual element and extra burst of fresh strawberry flavor when serving.

How To Churn Up Strawberry Ice Cream

Step 1: Prep Strawberry Magic

Grab your ripe, vibrant strawberries and wash them carefully. Remove the green tops and toss the berries into a blender. Pulse and blend until you create a smooth, brilliant red puree that looks like liquid sunshine.

Step 2: Whip Creamy Egg Base

In a cozy mixing bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk them together with enthusiasm until the mixture transforms into a pale, luxurious cream that looks soft and dreamy.

Step 3: Warm Dairy Blend

Select a medium saucepan and pour in your milk and cream. Gently heat the liquid over medium warmth, watching for tiny bubbles that signal it’s reaching a delicate simmer.

Step 4: Combine Egg and Cream

Slowly drizzle the hot cream into the egg mixture, whisking continuously. This careful technique prevents any unwelcome egg scrambling and creates a silky smooth foundation.

Step 5: Create Custard Magic

Return the entire mixture to the saucepan. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly until the custard thickens beautifully and can coat the back of a wooden spoon with a smooth, elegant layer.

Step 6: Strain and Refine

Remove the custard from heat and carefully strain through a fine-mesh sieve. This step ensures an ultra-smooth, luxurious texture without any lumps.

Step 7: Add Flavor Boosters

Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Gently fold the strawberry puree into the custard, creating a stunning swirled pink mixture that promises deliciousness.

Step 8: Chill and Rest

Cover the mixture and tuck it into the refrigerator. Let it cool completely for at least two hours, allowing flavors to mingle and develop.

Step 9: Churn to Perfection

Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker. Churn according to the machine’s instructions, typically around 20-25 minutes, until it reaches a soft, creamy consistency.

Step 10: Freeze and Set

Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 2-3 hours until it reaches a perfectly scoopable firmness.

Step 11: Prepare to Serve

Remove the ice cream from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. This gentle warming helps create the perfect scooping texture.

Step 12: Garnish and Enjoy

Scoop the strawberry ice cream into beautiful bowls. Sprinkle with fresh strawberry pieces and serve immediately to eager dessert lovers.

Best Tips For Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream

• Puree Perfectly: Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the most intense flavor and vibrant color in your ice cream.
• Prevent Curdling: Temper the egg yolks slowly by adding hot cream gradually while whisking constantly to create a smooth custard base.
• Strain for Silkiness: Always strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any potential egg bits, ensuring an ultra-smooth texture.
• Chill Thoroughly: Allow the mixture to cool completely in the refrigerator before churning to help develop a richer flavor and smoother consistency.
• Soften Smartly: Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving to achieve the perfect scoopable texture.

Tasty Spins On Classic Strawberry Ice Cream

• Vegan Strawberry Delight: Replace egg yolks with coconut cream, use almond milk instead of dairy, and swap sugar for maple syrup to create a plant-based version.
• Roasted Strawberry Sensation: Caramelize strawberries in the oven with brown sugar before pureeing to enhance their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
• No-Churn Strawberry Bliss: Skip the ice cream maker by whipping heavy cream until stiff, folding in condensed milk and strawberry puree, then freezing directly in a container.
• Boozy Strawberry Treat: Add a splash of strawberry liqueur or rum during the puree stage to create an adult-friendly frozen dessert with an extra kick.

Perfect Pairings With Strawberry Ice Cream

• Pair Perfectly with Tangy Dessert Wines: Sweet Moscato or Sauternes complement the strawberry's bright flavor, cutting through the creamy richness with crisp acidity.
• Match with Delicate Pastry Companions: Almond biscotti or lavender shortbread cookies provide a subtle crunch that enhances the smooth ice cream texture.
• Enhance with Fresh Herb Garnishes: Sprinkle fresh mint or basil leaves to add a refreshing aromatic dimension that elevates the strawberry's natural sweetness.
• Create Texture Contrast with Nutty Elements: Toasted sliced almonds or candied pecans introduce a delightful crunch that balances the ice cream's silky consistency.

How To Keep Strawberry Ice Cream From Getting Icy

• Transfer leftover strawberry ice cream to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and preserve its creamy texture.
• Wrap the container tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil for additional protection against ice crystals and flavor absorption from other foods.
• Keep the ice cream in the coldest part of the freezer, typically the back, maintaining a consistent temperature around 0°F to maintain optimal quality.
• Consume homemade strawberry ice cream within 1-2 weeks for the best flavor and texture, as it lacks commercial stabilizers that extend shelf life.

Strawberry Ice Cream FAQs You’ll Love

• Can I make this recipe without an ice cream maker?

Yes, you can use the no-churn method by whipping heavy cream until stiff peaks form and folding it into the strawberry custard base, then freezing for 6 hours, stirring every 2 hours.

• Is it safe to use raw egg yolks?

This recipe involves cooking egg yolks to 160°F, which kills potential bacteria, making the custard safe to consume when prepared correctly.

• How do I know when the custard is thick enough?

The custard is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and you can draw a line with your finger through the coating without it immediately running back together.

Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy homemade strawberry ice cream delivers pure summer sweetness with fresh strawberries blended into a smooth, rich base. Cool dessert lovers will savor each spoonful of this luscious, berry-packed treat straight from a classic Italian gelato tradition.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups fresh strawberries

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

Optional Garnish:

• 2 tbsp fresh strawberries (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Wash and hull strawberries, then puree them in a blender until smooth and vibrant.
2. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a medium bowl until the mixture becomes pale and creamy.
3. Heat milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer, about 175°F.
4. Gradually stream the hot cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
5. Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5-7 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
7. Stir in vanilla extract and salt, then fold in the strawberry puree until fully incorporated.
8. Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until completely chilled.
9. Churn the cold mixture in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions, typically 20-25 minutes.
10. Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2-3 hours until firm.
11. Before serving, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5 minutes to soften slightly.
12. Garnish with fresh strawberry pieces and serve immediately.

Notes

• Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the most intense flavor and vibrant color in your homemade ice cream.
• Strain the strawberry puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds and create an ultra-smooth texture.
• Temper egg yolks carefully by slowly adding hot cream to prevent scrambling and ensure a silky custard base.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut milk and cream, which will add a subtle tropical undertone to the strawberry ice cream.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg