Sweet Summer Delight: Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe

Sweet summer memories dance across taste buds with this creamy strawberry ice cream recipe that captures pure berry bliss.

Luscious crimson fruits blend seamlessly into a silky smooth dessert that melts perfectly on your tongue.

Every spoonful bursts with natural sweetness and rich, velvety texture.

Fresh strawberries create a vibrant base that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

Local farmers market berries work best for intense, sun-ripened flavor.

The homemade approach ensures no artificial additives disrupt the pure, delightful essence.

You’ll dive into a dessert that celebrates seasonal freshness with each delectable bite.

Tools You’ll Use for Strawberry Ice Cream

• Ice Cream Maker: Essential for churning the creamy strawberry mixture into smooth, soft-serve texture.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining all ingredients and creating the ice cream base.
• Smaller Bowl: Great for mashing fresh strawberries and preparing the fruit component.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurately portioning milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla extract.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps mix ingredients thoroughly and scrape down bowl sides.
• Airtight Container: Needed for storing and freezing the finished ice cream until serving.
• Scoop: Helps serve the ice cream neatly into bowls or cones.

Making Strawberry Ice Cream at Home

• Strawberry Preparation

Gently crush ripe, vibrant strawberries in a mixing bowl to release their natural sweetness and create a luscious base for the ice cream.

• Creamy Mixture

Blend the strawberry pulp with rich dairy ingredients, adding a touch of vanilla and a whisper of salt to elevate the flavor profile.

• Churning Magic

Use an ice cream maker to transform the liquid mixture into a silky, aerated delight, watching as it gradually transforms into a dreamy soft-serve texture.

• Freezing Perfection

Transfer the freshly churned mixture into a sealed container, allowing it to rest and solidify in the freezer until it reaches a luxurious, scoopable consistency.

• Serving Moment

Scoop the homemade strawberry ice cream into charming bowls or crisp cones, creating a delightful treat that captures the essence of summer.

Tips for Creamier Strawberry Ice Cream

• Add extra chopped fresh strawberries into the churned ice cream for bursts of fruit flavor and delightful texture.
• Create elegant strawberry swirls by gently folding raspberry or strawberry jam through the ice cream before final freezing.
• Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds or crushed graham crackers on top for a satisfying crispy contrast to the creamy base.
• For those without an ice cream maker, blend ingredients and freeze in a shallow pan, stirring every hour to break up ice crystals and create a smooth consistency.
• Experiment with adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or fresh basil leaves to enhance the strawberry's natural sweetness and create a gourmet touch.

How to Serve Strawberry Ice Cream Just Right

• Berry Bliss Sundae: Layer scoops of homemade strawberry ice cream with fresh strawberry slices, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and a sprinkle of toasted almonds for a decadent dessert experience.
• Breakfast Delight: Serve a scoop alongside warm buttermilk waffles or pancakes, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and extra fresh strawberries for a sweet morning treat.
• Parfait Party: Create beautiful layered desserts by alternating strawberry ice cream with crushed graham crackers, fresh berries, and a swirl of strawberry preserves in clear glasses.
• Summer Cool-Down: Pair the ice cream with crisp shortbread cookies or wafer rolls, creating a refreshing and elegant dessert perfect for hot afternoon gatherings.

Storing Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

• Smart Container Selection: Choose a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain the ice cream's smooth texture and prevent freezer burn. Glass or high-quality plastic containers work best for preserving freshness.
• Freezing Freshness Tip: Store homemade strawberry ice cream in the coldest part of your freezer, typically the back, to ensure consistent temperature and prevent unwanted ice crystal formation.
• Serving Smart Strategy: Remove the ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to soften it slightly, allowing for easier scooping and a creamier texture. This small wait time enhances the overall eating experience.
• Shelf Life Wisdom: Homemade strawberry ice cream stays delicious for up to two weeks when stored properly. Always use clean utensils when scooping to prevent potential bacterial contamination and maintain the ice cream's quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

• Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Rich dairy creates smooth, luxurious texture with velvety mouthfeel and traditional ice cream consistency.
• White Sugar: Sweetens the mixture while helping prevent ice crystal formation for ultra-soft scooping.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex undertones that complement strawberry's natural sweetness.
• Salt: Balances flavors and intensifies overall taste profile of the dessert.

• Fresh Strawberries: Provides vibrant natural color, authentic berry taste, and fresh chunks of fruit throughout the ice cream.
• Red Food Coloring (Optional): Boosts visual appeal by enhancing strawberry's natural rosy hue if desired.

Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe

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• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Homemade strawberry ice cream blends ripe local strawberries with creamy dairy for a classic summer dessert. Sweet berry notes and smooth texture create pure indulgence, inviting you to savor each delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (473 mL) heavy cream
• 2 cups (473 mL / 16 fl oz) whole milk
• 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) white sugar
• 2 cups (230 g) fresh strawberries, mashed
• 2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp (1.25 mL) salt
• 2 drops red food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Strawberry Preparation: Crush ripe strawberries and blend with granulated sugar to intensify natural sweetness and release juices.
2. Cream Base Creation: Whisk whole milk, heavy cream, white sugar, vanilla extract, and kosher salt until smooth and uniformly combined.
3. Mixture Integration: Gently fold macerated strawberries into the cream base, ensuring even distribution and optional natural red food coloring for visual enhancement.
4. Churning Process: Transfer mixture to a pre-chilled ice cream maker, churning consistently until achieving a soft, velvety texture with gentle, steady movements.
5. Freezing and Setting: Transfer churned ice cream into an airtight freezer-safe container, smoothing the surface to prevent ice crystal formation and allow 3-5 hours of freezing for optimal texture development.
6. Serving Technique: Remove ice cream from freezer, let rest briefly at room temperature for 2-3 minutes to soften, then scoop into chilled bowls or crisp waffle cones for a refreshing dessert experience.

Notes

• Fruit Freshness Matters: Choose perfectly ripe, deep red strawberries for maximum natural sweetness and vibrant flavor. Overripe or underripe berries can significantly impact the final taste.
• Chilling is Crucial: Always pre-chill your ice cream maker’s bowl and ingredients to ensure smoother churning and prevent unwanted ice crystals from forming.
• Sugar Balance Technique: Gradually add sugar to crushed strawberries to help release natural juices and create a more intense fruit flavor profile.
• Freezing Pro Tip: Cover the ice cream surface with plastic wrap directly touching the mixture before sealing the container to prevent freezer burn and maintain creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 0.14 g
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg