Description
This Honey Lavender Ice Cream is a delicate and creamy dessert infused with the floral notes of culinary lavender and the natural sweetness of honey. Perfectly smooth and rich, this homemade ice cream is a refreshing treat that pairs wonderfully with lemon desserts or fresh berries.
Ingredients
Scale
Ice Cream Base
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
- 4 large egg yolks
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Infuse Cream: In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, and dried culinary lavender. Heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to steam but does not boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let the lavender steep for 15 to 20 minutes to infuse the cream with floral flavor. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove lavender pieces, then return the infused cream mixture to the saucepan.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and honey until smooth and pale. Slowly pour a small amount of the warm lavender-infused cream into the egg yolks while whisking constantly to gently temper the eggs and prevent curdling. Gradually add the remaining warm cream mixture, continuing to whisk to combine fully.
- Cook Custard: Return the combined mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or spatula. Heat until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon, reaching approximately 170–175°F, taking care not to let it boil. Remove from heat, stir in a pinch of salt for flavor balance, and strain once more if you desire an extra smooth texture.
- Chill Mixture: Allow the custard mixture to cool to room temperature. Cover it and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to ensure thorough chilling, which is essential for the churning process and smooth texture.
- Churn Ice Cream: Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
- Freeze Thoroughly: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm, allowing the flavors to fully develop and the texture to set perfectly.
Notes
- Use only culinary-grade lavender to avoid bitterness.
- For a stronger floral flavor, you can steep the lavender longer, but avoid over-steeping as it might make the flavor overpowering.
- This ice cream pairs beautifully with lemon desserts or fresh berries for a complementary burst of flavor.
