There’s nothing quite like a scoop of homemade strawberry ice cream to cool you down on a warm day. This delightful dessert is easy to make and doesn’t require any eggs, making it a perfect treat for everyone, including those with egg allergies. In this article, we’ll walk you through a simple yet delicious strawberry ice cream recipe that will have you coming back for more.

Ingredients

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let’s gather all the ingredients you’ll need for this homemade strawberry ice cream recipe.

• 2 cups of fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 cups of heavy cream
• 1 cup of whole milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Preparing the Strawberries

The first step in making this delicious strawberry ice cream is to prepare the strawberries.

Step 1: Macerate the Strawberries

Macerating is a fancy term for soaking fruit in sugar to soften it and release its juices. Here’s how you do it:

1. Place the sliced strawberries in a bowl.
2. Add 1/2 cup of granulated sugar to the strawberries.
3. Stir the mixture until the strawberries are well coated with sugar.
4. Cover the bowl and let it sit at room temperature for about 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Creating the Ice Cream Base

While the strawberries are macerating, you can start preparing the ice cream base.

Step 2: Mix the Cream and Milk

In a large mixing bowl, combine the following:

• 2 cups of heavy cream
• 1 cup of whole milk
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Whisk the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved and everything is well combined.

Blending the Strawberries

Once the strawberries have macerated, they should be soft and juicy.

Step 3: Blend the Strawberries

1. Pour the macerated strawberries and their juices into a blender or food processor.
2. Blend until the mixture is smooth. If you prefer chunks of strawberries in your ice cream, you can blend only half of the strawberries and leave the other half as chunks.
3. Pour the blended strawberries into the cream and milk mixture.
4. Stir until well combined.

Churning the Ice Cream

Now that your strawberry mixture is ready, it’s time to churn the ice cream.

Step 4: Churn the Mixture

1. Pour the strawberry mixture into your ice cream maker.
2. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for churning the ice cream. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes.
3. The ice cream should have a soft-serve consistency when it’s done churning.

Freezing the Ice Cream

To achieve a firmer texture, you’ll need to freeze the ice cream for a few hours.

Step 5: Freeze the Ice Cream

1. Transfer the churned ice cream into an airtight container.
2. Cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent ice crystals from forming.
3. Place the container in the freezer and let it freeze for at least 4 hours, or until it reaches your desired consistency.

Serving and Enjoying

Your homemade strawberry ice cream is now ready to be enjoyed!

Step 6: Serve the Ice Cream

1. Scoop the ice cream into bowls or cones.
2. Garnish with fresh strawberries or a sprig of mint if desired.
3. Enjoy the refreshing, creamy goodness of homemade strawberry ice cream!

Tips and Variations

Here are some tips and variations to make your strawberry ice cream even more delightful:

Add a Cheesecake Twist

For a strawberry cheesecake ice cream recipe, you can add chunks of cheesecake or swirl in some cheesecake-flavored cream cheese into the ice cream base before churning.

Use Other Berries

Feel free to substitute strawberries with other berries like raspberries or blueberries for a different flavor profile.

Make It Dairy-Free

If you prefer a dairy-free version, you can substitute the heavy cream and whole milk with coconut milk or almond milk. Just make sure to adjust the sugar levels to taste.

Extra Sweetness

If you like your ice cream extra sweet, you can add an additional 1/4 cup of sugar to the ice cream base.

Conclusion

Making homemade strawberry ice cream is a fun and rewarding experience. With just a few simple ingredients and an ice cream maker, you can create a delicious, creamy treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re cooling down on a hot summer day or looking for a sweet ending to a meal, this strawberry ice cream recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a scoop (or two) of this delightful dessert!