Description
This Homemade Peach Ice Cream is a creamy, sweet, and refreshing summer treat made from fresh or frozen peaches blended into a smooth or slightly chunky puree, mixed with rich cream and milk, then churned to perfection. Perfect for peach lovers looking for a delightful, fruity dessert with a velvety texture and natural peach flavor enhanced by a touch of lemon juice and vanilla.
Ingredients
Scale
Peach Puree
- 3 cups fresh peaches, peeled, pitted, and chopped (or frozen peaches, thawed)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, to enhance the peach flavor)
Ice Cream Base
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of the peaches)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Peaches: Start by peeling and chopping the peaches into small chunks. If using fresh peaches, blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds and then place them in an ice bath to make peeling easier. Pit and chop the peaches after peeling. For frozen peaches, thaw completely and drain excess liquid.
- Puree the Peaches: Using a blender or food processor, blend the chopped peaches until smooth. For chunkier texture in the ice cream, pulse the peaches a few times instead of creating a smooth puree.
- Mix the Ice Cream Base: In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly until all the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes smooth. Then add the peach puree and mix well.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the peach mixture for at least 1-2 hours. This step ensures the mixture chills evenly which helps create a creamier ice cream texture during churning.
- Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually about 20-30 minutes. The ice cream will thicken and reach a soft-serve consistency.
- Freeze to Firm Up: Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container, smooth the top with a spatula, and cover with plastic wrap or a lid. Freeze for 3-4 hours until firm.
- Serve: Scoop the firm peach ice cream into bowls or cones. Optionally, garnish with fresh peach slices, a drizzle of honey, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
- Blanching fresh peaches helps in easy peeling and enhances texture.
- Adjust the sugar according to the sweetness of your peaches.
- Using lemon juice is optional but it brightens and enhances the peach flavor.
- For chunkier ice cream, pulse peaches instead of pureeing completely.
- Chilling the mixture before churning is crucial for smooth texture.
- Homemade ice cream is best enjoyed within a week for optimal freshness.
