Vanilla Cherry Ice Cream
This Vanilla Cherry Ice Cream recipe combines the classic, creamy richness of vanilla ice cream with the sweet-tart flavor of fresh cherries, creating the ultimate homemade dessert. Whether you're using fresh or frozen cherries, this ice cream is simple to prepare with an ice cream maker and is a perfect treat for summer or any special occasion. The cherry swirl adds a beautiful pop of color and extra burst of flavor in every scoop.
Equipment
- 1 Ice Cream Maker (electric or manual)
- (1) Whisk
- (1) Mixing bowl (large)
- 1 Measuring Cup (for liquids)
- 1 Measuring spoons
- 1 spatula
- 1 – Storage Container (Airtight for freezing)
Ingredients
- 2 cups – Heavy Cream
- 1 cup – Whole Milk
- 3/4 cup – Granulated Sugar
- 1 tablespoon – Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup – Fresh or Frozen Cherries pitted and chopped
- 1 –2 tablespoons – Sugar for macerating cherries
Optional:
- 1 Vanilla Bean if using instead of extract
- 1 tablespoon – Lemon Juice optional for added flavor balance
Instructions
Prepare the Vanilla Ice Cream Base:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract (or vanilla bean seeds if using). Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. If using a vanilla bean, scrape the seeds from the pod and add them to the mixture.
Chill the Base:
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours or until the mixture is thoroughly chilled.
Prepare the Cherries:
- Pit and chop the cherries into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle with 1–2 tablespoons of sugar and let sit for about 15 minutes to macerate. This helps release the juices and enhances the cherry flavor.
Combine the Cherry Mixture with the Vanilla Base:
- Once the vanilla base is chilled, fold in the macerated cherries (and any juice they’ve released) into the base. Mix gently to create a beautiful swirl of cherry throughout the vanilla.
Churn the Ice Cream:
- Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.This typically takes about 20–30 minutes, or until the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency.
Freeze the Ice Cream:
- Transfer the churned ice cream into a shallow, airtight storage container. Smooth the top with a spatula and freeze for at least 4–6 hours, or overnight, to firm up.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the ice cream has frozen and reached the desired consistency, scoop into bowls or cones and enjoy! Garnish with extra cherries if desired.
Notes
- Using Frozen Cherries: Frozen cherries work just as well as fresh ones. Allow them to thaw slightly before chopping and macerating them with sugar.
- Customizing Sweetness: Taste the cherries before adding sugar to adjust for sweetness. If using very sweet cherries, you can reduce the amount of sugar in both the cherry mixture and the base.
- Churning Tip: The more you churn, the creamier your ice cream will be. Make sure to follow the ice cream maker's instructions for the best results.
- No Ice Cream Maker: For a no-churn option, whip the cream to stiff peaks, fold in the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and cherries, then freeze. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.