Easy Classic Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe: Sweet Summer Joy

Sweet, luscious strawberry ice cream captures the essence of summer’s most beloved fruit in a creamy, dreamy dessert.

Ripe berries bursting with natural sweetness revamp into a delightful frozen treat that dances on your palate.

Smooth textures and vibrant colors make this classic dessert a nostalgic favorite for gatherings and quiet moments alike.

Cool, refreshing sensations blend perfectly with the natural tartness of carefully selected ingredients.

Homemade recipes elevate this traditional confection beyond store-bought alternatives, allowing you to control every delectable detail.

Seasonal fruits bring an authentic, garden-fresh quality to this timeless frozen delight.

Rich, velvety layers promise a sensory experience that celebrates simplicity and pure flavor.

Old-Fashioned Flavor in a Creamy Strawberry Scoop

• Burst with Fresh Strawberry Flavor: Macerated strawberries infuse the ice cream with intense, natural sweetness and vibrant fruit essence that dances on your taste buds.
• Creamy Dreamy Texture Delight: The combination of heavy cream and whole milk creates an incredibly smooth, rich, and luxurious ice cream that melts perfectly in your mouth.
• Simple Summer Dessert Magic: This no-fuss recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic kitchen skills, making it an ideal treat for home cooks looking to impress without complicated techniques.

What You’ll Need for Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

• Strawberries: Fresh, ripe berries with bright red color and sweet aroma for pure fruit flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus that helps enhance strawberry taste and prevents browning.

• Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Rich dairy base that creates smooth, creamy ice cream texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Warm, classic flavor that complements fruit and adds depth to the dessert.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the ice cream and helps create a soft, scoopable texture.

• Plastic Wrap: Used to prevent ice crystal formation during freezing.

How to Churn a Scoop Full of Nostalgia

Step 1: Prepare Strawberries

• Slice fresh strawberries into a medium bowl
• Add granulated sugar
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice
• Stir ingredients gently
• Let mixture sit for 30 minutes to macerate
• Mash strawberries with fork or blend in blender for desired texture

Step 2: Create Ice Cream Base

• Grab a large mixing bowl
• Whisk heavy cream
• Add whole milk
• Pour in vanilla extract
• Mix in prepared strawberries
• Blend until ingredients are completely combined

Step 3: Chill the Mixture

• Cover bowl with lid or plastic wrap
• Refrigerate mixture for 2 hours or overnight
• Ensure mixture is thoroughly cold before next step

Step 4: Churn Ice Cream

• Pour chilled mixture into ice cream maker
• Churn for 20-25 minutes
• Watch for soft-serve consistency
• Stop churning when texture is smooth and creamy

Step 5: Freeze and Set

• Transfer churned ice cream to airtight container
• Press plastic wrap directly onto ice cream surface
• Seal container completely
• Freeze for 4 hours or until firm

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

• Scoop ice cream into bowls or cones
• Add optional garnishes like fresh strawberry slices
• Serve immediately and savor creamy goodness

Tips for Getting Creamy and Smooth Texture

• Macerate Masterfully: Let strawberries sit with sugar and lemon juice to intensify their natural sweetness and create deeper flavor complexity.
• Puree Perfectly: Choose between fork-mashing or blending strawberries based on your desired texture – chunky or smooth.
• Chill Completely: Ensure the mixture is thoroughly cold before churning to guarantee a creamy, smooth ice cream consistency.
• Prevent Ice Crystals: Press plastic wrap directly onto the ice cream surface to block air exposure and maintain a silky texture.
• Serve Strategically: Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping to achieve the ideal softness and easy scoopability.

How to Store and Serve Without Freezer Burn

• Storing Method: Transfer leftover strawberry ice cream to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent freezer burn and minimize ice crystal formation.
• Freezing Method: Keep the ice cream in the coldest part of your freezer, typically the back, where temperature remains most consistent. Seal the container completely to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Serving Method: Remove the ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly. Use a clean, slightly warmed ice cream scoop for smooth, easy scooping and enjoy your creamy treat within 1-2 weeks for best quality.

Pairing Ideas for This Summer Classic

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Match the sweet, fruity strawberry ice cream with a chilled Moscato or Riesling. The light, refreshing wine complements the creamy dessert, creating a delightful summer treat.
• Serve with Buttery Shortbread Cookies: Crumble crisp, golden shortbread cookies alongside the ice cream. The rich, crumbly texture contrasts beautifully with the smooth, cold dessert, adding a delightful crunch.
• Enhance with Fresh Mint Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh mint leaves on top of the ice cream. The herb's bright, cool flavor elevates the strawberry's sweetness, creating a sophisticated and refreshing dessert experience.
• Pair with Champagne: Celebrate with a glass of bubbly champagne. The effervescent drink cuts through the creamy texture, while its subtle sweetness harmonizes with the strawberry's natural flavor.

Strawberry Ice Cream Flavor Upgrades to Try

• Berry Medley Fusion: Combine fresh raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries for a vibrant mixed berry ice cream bursting with summer flavors.
• Tropical Strawberry Escape: Blend coconut milk instead of whole milk and add diced pineapple for a creamy, exotic Caribbean-inspired treat.
• Chocolate-Dipped Dream: Fold in dark chocolate chunks and drizzle melted chocolate through the churned ice cream for rich, decadent swirls.
• Roasted Strawberry Sensation: Caramelize strawberries in the oven with brown sugar before pureeing, creating deeper, more complex berry notes and intensified sweetness.

Classic Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Summer’s sweetest delight, classic strawberry ice cream, brings pure joy with ripe berries churned into creamy perfection. Smooth, rich, and kissed with natural strawberry essence, this dessert invites you to savor each luxurious spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) whole milk

Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:

• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Hull and slice ripe strawberries into a medium mixing bowl, then sprinkle with granulated sugar and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Allow the fruit to macerate for approximately 30 minutes, releasing natural juices and intensifying sweetness.
2. Gently crush the strawberries using a potato masher or pulse in a food processor until achieving desired consistency – either chunky or smooth.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream (236 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces), whole milk (236 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces), and pure vanilla extract until thoroughly incorporated.
4. Fold the strawberry mixture into the cream base, ensuring even distribution of fruit throughout the liquid.
5. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight, to completely chill and allow flavors to meld.
6. Pour the cold mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions, typically 20-25 minutes, until reaching a soft, creamy texture.
7. Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container, smoothing the surface and pressing plastic wrap directly onto the top to prevent ice crystal formation.
8. Freeze for 4-6 hours until the ice cream firms up to a scoopable consistency.
9. Serve in chilled bowls or crisp waffle cones, garnishing with fresh strawberry slices if desired.

Notes

• Maceration Magic: Let sliced strawberries sit with sugar and lemon juice to intensify their natural sweetness and release juices for a more profound flavor profile.
• Texture Tip: Choose between mashing strawberries with a fork for rustic chunks or blending for a smoother, more uniform ice cream texture.
• Chilling Secret: Refrigerating the mixture for at least 2 hours allows flavors to meld and ensures a creamier, more consistent final product.
• Churning Technique: Use an ice cream maker to incorporate air and create a smooth, soft-serve consistency in about 20-25 minutes.
• Freezing Hack: Press plastic wrap directly onto the ice cream surface to prevent unwanted ice crystal formation, maintaining a creamy texture.
• Serving Suggestion: Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping to achieve the perfect, easily scoopable consistency.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks, Drinks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 456 kcal
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 52 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.9 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 124 mg