Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

Cherry vanilla ice cream is a classic and delicious treat! Here’s how you can make it at home, whether you have an ice cream maker or not.

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients

• For the Ice Cream Base:
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
• For the Cherry Swirl:
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries (pitted)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Make the Cherry Swirl:

• In a small saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and water.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cherries soften and release their juices (about 10 minutes).
• Use a fork or immersion blender to lightly mash the cherries, leaving some chunks for texture.
• Let it simmer for another 5 minutes until thickened slightly. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.

2. Prepare the Ice Cream Base:

• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the sugar is dissolved.
• Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

3. Churn the Ice Cream:

• If using an ice cream maker: Pour the chilled ice cream base into the machine and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually 20–25 minutes).
• If not using an ice cream maker: Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and place it in the freezer. Stir vigorously every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals, repeating for about 3 hours.

4. Add the Cherry Swirl:

• Once the ice cream has thickened to a soft-serve consistency, gently fold in the cooled cherry mixture to create swirls. Be careful not to overmix—you want visible ribbons of cherry!

5. Freeze:

• Transfer the swirled ice cream to a lidded container and freeze for an additional 2–4 hours, or until firm.

6. Serve:

• Scoop and enjoy! You can garnish with fresh cherries, whipped cream, or even chocolate shavings for extra flair.

This homemade cherry vanilla ice cream is creamy, sweet, and bursting with fruity goodness. Let me know how it turns out!