Description
This homemade blueberry ice cream recipe creates a creamy, luscious dessert bursting with fresh blueberry flavor. Slow-cooked blueberry compote is blended with rich cream, milk, and vanilla before churning in an ice cream maker to achieve the perfect soft texture. After freezing, the ice cream becomes a smooth and refreshing treat ideal for summer or any time you crave a fruity, creamy delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Blueberry Compote
- 2 cups fresh blueberries (1 pint)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Ice Cream Base
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Cook Blueberries: Add the sugar and fresh blueberries to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat on the stovetop. Stir occasionally as the sugar liquifies and the berries begin to pop. Continue cooking gently for about 15 minutes until the mixture thickens to a jammy consistency. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until completely cold.
- Prepare Ice Cream Base: Once the blueberry mixture is chilled, combine it with the heavy cream, whole milk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients into a smooth ice cream base.
- Churn Ice Cream: Pour the ice cream base into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, this process takes about 40 minutes until the mixture reaches a soft-serve consistency.
- Freeze: Transfer the churned ice cream into a freeze-proof container with a lid. Place it in the freezer for 3 to 4 hours to firm up fully before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the blueberry mixture is completely cold before mixing with cream to help the ice cream churn properly.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can freeze the mixture in a container and stir vigorously every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals.
- Lemon zest adds brightness to the ice cream, but it can be omitted if you prefer a purely blueberry flavor.
- Store the ice cream in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness.
