If you’re looking to delight your taste buds with something refreshingly floral and utterly creamy, this Lavender Ice Cream Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a luscious treat that perfectly balances the gentle, aromatic notes of dried lavender with the richness of cream and the comforting silkiness of egg yolks. Whether you’re serving it on a warm summer day or as a delicate finale to a special dinner, the subtle complexity of this homemade ice cream will make each bite feel like a little celebration of French-inspired elegance and summer bliss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Lavender Ice Cream Recipe relies on a handful of simple, essential ingredients that come together to create a symphony of flavor and texture. Each component is thoughtfully chosen to contribute creaminess, sweetness, and that signature floral hint without overpowering the palate.
- Heavy cream: The star ingredient providing the ice cream’s luxurious, velvety texture and richness.
- Whole milk: Balances the cream’s fat while helping to deliver a smooth mouthfeel.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the mixture to perfection and helps with smooth freezing.
- Dried culinary lavender: Infuses the ice cream with a subtle, fragrant floral essence—use only culinary grade!
- Large egg yolks: Create a creamy custard base, thickening the ice cream naturally and adding depth.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, rounding out the floral notes with a warm sweetness.
How to Make Lavender Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Infuse the Milk with Lavender
Start by combining the whole milk, granulated sugar, and dried culinary lavender in a medium saucepan. Gently heat over medium heat until the mixture is hot but not boiling—this ensures the sugars dissolve and the lavender can release its delicate aroma without bitterness. Then, cover and let the lavender steep for 15 to 20 minutes, allowing all those lovely floral notes to soak into the milk. After steeping, strain out the lavender to keep the texture silky smooth.
Step 2: Prepare the Egg Yolk Custard
While your milk mixture cools a bit, whisk the egg yolks in a separate bowl until they turn pale and slightly thickened. This step is key for a smooth custard. Slowly temper the yolks by pouring in about half a cup of the warm lavender milk while whisking constantly—this prevents the eggs from scrambling and keeps the texture perfect. Then, combine the tempered eggs back into the saucepan with the remaining milk.
Step 3: Cook to Thicken
Place the saucepan back on low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens and clings lightly to the back of a spoon. Make sure to avoid boiling to keep the texture creamy and prevent curdling. This thickened mixture is the base that gives your ice cream its sumptuous creaminess.
Step 4: Add Cream and Chill
Remove the custard from heat, then stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. The cream enriches the base, while vanilla adds warmth to the floral flavor. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least four hours, or better yet, overnight. The prolonged chill helps the flavors meld beautifully and prepares the custard for churning.
Step 5: Churn and Freeze
Once thoroughly chilled, pour the custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This transforms the custard into a light, airy ice cream. Finally, transfer the churned ice cream to a container and freeze until firm, usually several hours, for that perfect scoop.
How to Serve Lavender Ice Cream Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like a sprinkle of dried lavender buds or a drizzle of honey can elevate the experience, adding texture and enhancing the floral undertones. Fresh berries or a twist of lemon zest also complement the ice cream’s delicate flavor beautifully. These little touches don’t just decorate your dessert—they add layers of delightful flavor.
Side Dishes
This Lavender Ice Cream Recipe pairs wonderfully with light, buttery treats such as shortbread cookies or lemon cakes. The citrusy brightness of lemon desserts contrasts with the floral creaminess, while shortbread provides a lovely crunchy texture that balances the smooth ice cream. These combinations turn a simple scoop into a dessert experience worth savoring.
Creative Ways to Present
Think outside the bowl! Serve your lavender ice cream in waffle cones for a casual treat or alongside a crisp rose petal tuile for an elegant presentation. You could even layer it in parfait glasses with honey-soaked sponge cake and fresh mint for a show-stopping dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Presentation makes the moment special, turning this simple recipe into a centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), store your lavender ice cream in an airtight container to protect it from freezer burn and odors. Keep it in the coldest part of the freezer to maintain its creamy texture.
Freezing
The best way to ensure the perfect scoop after storage is to freeze your ice cream for at least a few hours so it firms up completely. When freezing homemade ice cream, avoid frequent thawing and refreezing, as temperature fluctuations can cause ice crystals, affecting smoothness.
Reheating
Ice cream is best enjoyed chilled or frozen, so reheating is not recommended. However, if it’s too hard to scoop straight from the freezer, let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes to soften slightly—this is the best way to enjoy your Lavender Ice Cream Recipe at its creamy, dreamy best.
FAQs
Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried in this Lavender Ice Cream Recipe?
Fresh lavender can be used, but since it tends to be milder, you might need to increase the amount or adjust steeping time. Just be sure to use culinary-grade lavender for safe consumption, whether fresh or dried.
What if I don’t have an ice cream maker?
You can still enjoy this recipe by placing the custard in a shallow container and freezing it. Stir every 30 minutes for the first few hours to break up ice crystals until it’s smooth and creamy.
How strong is the lavender flavor in this ice cream?
This Lavender Ice Cream Recipe offers a delicate, well-balanced floral flavor that complements the creamy base without being overpowering. If you prefer a more subtle lavender note, simply reduce the amount of dried lavender used.
Is this ice cream safe for children?
Yes, this homemade ice cream is safe for children as long as the lavender is culinary grade and the ice cream is properly prepared. The egg yolks are cooked as part of the custard to ensure safety.
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
For a vegan or dairy-free version, you’d need to substitute the cream and milk with plant-based alternatives and find an egg substitute suitable for custard-like textures. The floral essence of lavender will still shine through, but the texture will differ.
Final Thoughts
This Lavender Ice Cream Recipe is a truly enchanting and sophisticated treat that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Its graceful floral notes, creamy custard base, and adaptable serving options make it a dessert you’ll want to share again and again. Give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite summer indulgence!
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Lavender Ice Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (plus chilling and freezing time)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churning
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Lavender Ice Cream is a delicate and floral homemade treat perfect for summer. Infused with culinary-grade dried lavender and combined with a creamy custard base, it offers a unique and refreshing flavor that pairs wonderfully with lemon cakes, berries, or shortbread cookies. The recipe involves steeping lavender in warm milk, tempering egg yolks to create a silky custard, and churning the mixture in an ice cream maker for a smooth and creamy texture.
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Infuse Lavender: In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, and dried culinary lavender. Heat over medium heat until the mixture is hot but not boiling. Remove from heat, cover, and allow the lavender to steep for 15–20 minutes to infuse the milk with its delicate flavor.
- Strain Mixture: Use a fine mesh sieve to strain out the lavender from the milk, returning the infused milk to the saucepan. This ensures a smooth base free of lavender bits.
- Prepare Egg Yolks: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks vigorously until they become pale and thick, creating a custard base.
- Temper Eggs: Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the warm lavender-infused milk into the whisked egg yolks while continuously whisking. This gradual mixing prevents the eggs from curdling by gently raising their temperature.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling.
- Add Cream and Flavor: Remove the saucepan from heat, then stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract to enrich the custard.
- Chill Custard: Transfer the custard mixture to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. This step is crucial for proper texture when churning.
- Churn: Once chilled, pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
- Freeze Until Firm: Transfer the churned ice cream to a container and freeze for several hours until firm before serving.
Notes
- Use culinary-grade lavender to ensure the flavor is food-safe and not overly bitter.
- For a lighter lavender flavor, reduce the dried lavender to 1 tablespoon.
- This ice cream complements desserts like lemon cakes, fresh berries, or buttery shortbread cookies perfectly.
