Lavender Ice Cream Recipe

Dreamy Lavender Ice Cream Recipe: Homemade Summer Bliss

Creamy, dreamy summer days call for an enchanting lavender ice cream that whispers elegance with every spoonful.

This delicate dessert blends floral notes with rich, smooth cream for a truly magical treat.

lavender transforms ordinary ice cream into an extraordinary culinary experience that delights the senses.

Soft purple hues hint at the sophisticated flavor waiting to be savored.

Each scoop promises a delicate balance of sweetness and aromatic charm.

The recipe unlocks a simple yet stunning dessert that will impress even the most discerning palates.

Prepare to transport your taste buds to a fragrant Provençal garden with this irresistible frozen delight.

Lavender Ice Cream: A Scoop Of Floral Luxury

  • Lavender and blueberry blend into an unexpected, delightful combination that transforms ordinary ice cream into a gourmet dessert experience.
  • Breaking down the ice cream-making process into manageable steps allows home cooks to create professional-quality frozen treats without advanced culinary skills.
  • The recipe offers flexibility in texture preferences, letting you choose between soft serve and hard-packed ice cream based on personal enjoyment.
  • Prepare this dessert in advance and keep it fresh for weeks, making it perfect for unexpected guests or sudden sweet cravings.

Calming Ingredients That Set Lavender Ice Cream Apart

Dairy Base:
  • Whole Milk: Provides the creamy foundation for the ice cream.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds richness and smooth texture to the dessert.
Fruit and Flavor Components:
  • Blueberries: Delivers natural sweetness and vibrant color to the ice cream.
  • Lavender: Contributes a delicate floral essence and unique flavor profile.
  • Lemon Juice: Brightens the overall taste and balances the sweetness.
Sweeteners and Thickeners:
  • Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a smooth ice cream texture.
  • Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent to stabilize the ice cream base.
Enhancers and Seasonings:
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall flavor.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances the other flavors in the ice cream.
Additional Components:
  • Water: Helps in cooking the blueberries and creating the sauce.

Ice Cream Tools For The Smoothest Texture

  • Large saucepan: Perfect for cooking blueberry sauce and preparing the base.
  • Fine mesh strainer: Essential for smoothly straining the blueberry puree.
  • Whisk: Key tool for mixing cornstarch, milk, and creating smooth custard.
  • Large metal or glass bowl: Crucial for combining all ingredients and chilling mixture.
  • Smaller bowl: Needed for ice water bath to cool down the custard quickly.
  • Ice cream maker: Mandatory for churning and creating creamy ice cream texture.
  • Loaf pan or sealed container: Used for freezing and storing the final ice cream.
  • Parchment sheet: Helps cover and protect the ice cream during storage.

Step-By-Step Guide To Lavender Ice Cream Creation

Step 1: Burst Blueberries Into Sauce

Cook blueberries with sugar and lavender in a large saucepan.

Simmer the mixture until berries break down into a thick, bubbling sauce.

Mash the berries while cooking.

Strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl.

Add a splash of lemon juice and set aside.

Step 2: Create Silky Milk Base

Clean the previous pan.

Whisk cornstarch into whole milk until smooth.

Blend in sugar and heat over medium flame.

Stir continuously until the mixture thickens and nearly starts simmering.

Remove from heat.

Step 3: Blend Creamy Elements

Mix in these delightful ingredients:
  • Heavy cream
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract

Transfer the combined mixture to a large metal or glass bowl.

Fold in the blueberry puree until well incorporated.

Step 4: Cool Down The Mixture

Chill the mixture using one of two methods:
  • Place the bowl in an ice water bath for one hour
  • Refrigerate for three hours until the temperature drops to 40F

Step 5: Transform Into Frozen Delight

Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker.

Churn according to machine instructions, typically around 25 minutes for soft serve consistency.

For firmer texture, transfer to a loaf pan or sealed container.

Freeze for at least two hours.

The ice cream will remain creamy and easily scoopable for up to two weeks when stored properly.

Pro Tricks For Dreamy, Creamy Lavender Scoops

  • Mash blueberries thoroughly while simmering to ensure a smooth, even sauce without large berry chunks.
  • Whisk cornstarch slowly and steadily into milk to prevent lumps and achieve a silky smooth custard base.
  • Use an ice bath to rapidly cool the mixture, which helps maintain a creamy texture and prevents ice crystals from forming.
  • Add a tiny pinch of salt to enhance the lavender and blueberry flavors, creating a more complex and balanced dessert.
  • Use parchment paper directly on the ice cream surface to prevent freezer burn and maintain the creamy consistency during storage.

Playful Twists On Classic Lavender Ice Cream

Lavender Blueberry Ice Cream Variations:
  • Vegan Version: Replace whole milk and heavy cream with coconut milk and coconut cream. Use maple syrup instead of sugar for natural sweetening.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Substitute dairy ingredients with almond milk and almond cream. Add extra vanilla extract to enhance flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Verify cornstarch is certified gluten-free. Swap sugar with coconut sugar for additional nutritional benefits.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar. Reduce total sweetener quantity by half to maintain authentic lavender blueberry essence.

Beautiful Serving Styles For Lavender Ice Cream

  • Berry Lavender Parfait: Layer scoops of lavender ice cream with fresh blueberries and crumbled shortbread cookies in a clear glass for an elegant dessert presentation.
  • Gourmet Sundae Style: Top the ice cream with candied lavender petals, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of toasted almonds for a luxurious and sophisticated dessert experience.
  • Rustic Dessert Plate: Serve a generous scoop alongside a warm lavender shortbread cookie, garnished with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar for a delightful homemade touch.
  • Summer Dessert Companion: Pair the ice cream with a crisp white wine or lavender lemonade to enhance the delicate floral and berry flavors of this refreshing treat.

Smart Storage For Floral Ice Cream Delights

  • Transfer lavender blueberry ice cream to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals. Consume within 2 weeks for optimal flavor and texture.
  • Wrap the container tightly with additional plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Store at consistent zero-degree temperature for up to 3 months without significant quality loss.
  • Let ice cream sit at room temperature for 3-5 minutes before scooping to soften slightly. Use a heated ice cream scoop or run under warm water for smoother, easier serving.
  • Keep container in the back of the freezer where temperature remains most stable, avoiding frequent temperature fluctuations that can compromise creamy consistency.

FAQs

  • How can I enhance the lavender flavor in the ice cream?

Use culinary-grade dried lavender buds and crush them slightly before adding to release more aromatic oils. Ensure you’re using fresh lavender to get the most potent flavor profile.

  • Is it necessary to strain the blueberry sauce?

Yes, straining removes seeds and skin, creating a smoother, more refined blueberry puree that integrates better into the ice cream mixture and provides a silky texture.

  • Can I make this recipe without an ice cream maker?

While an ice cream maker helps achieve a creamy texture, you can manually churn the mixture every 30 minutes during freezing to break up ice crystals. Pour into a shallow pan and stir vigorously with a fork every half hour to create a similar consistency.

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Lavender Ice Cream Recipe

Lavender Ice Cream Recipe


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4.5 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Creamy lavender ice cream blends French Provence’s floral essence with rich dairy. Delicate purple-hued scoops offer cool, elegant sweetness you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.


Ingredients

Scale

Dairy Base:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk

Fruits and Sweeteners:

  • 2 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen)
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Flavor Enhancers and Thickeners:

  • 3 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan, combine blueberries, half the sugar, lavender, and water. Bring to a rapid boil over medium heat, simmering for 7-8 minutes while mashing the berries into a thick sauce.
  2. Strain the blueberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, incorporating lemon juice. Set aside the vibrant purple sauce.
  3. Rinse the saucepan and whisk cornstarch into whole milk, then blend in remaining sugar. Heat for 4-6 minutes, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and approaches a simmer.
  4. Remove from heat and fold in heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract. Transfer to a large metal or glass bowl.
  5. Gently integrate the reserved blueberry puree, creating a marbled lavender-purple custard base.
  6. Cool the mixture by nestling the bowl in an ice bath for 1 hour, or refrigerate for 3 hours until temperature reaches 40°F.
  7. Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker, churning for approximately 25 minutes until reaching a soft serve consistency.
  8. For firmer texture, transfer to a loaf pan or sealed container, freezing for 2-4 hours. Cover with parchment paper to prevent ice crystallization.
  9. Store the lavender blueberry ice cream in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks, maintaining a creamy, scoopable texture without requiring room temperature thawing.

Notes

  • Customize Flavor Intensity by adjusting lavender quantity, ensuring a delicate floral note without overwhelming the blueberry sweetness.
  • Prevent Ice Crystallization by using heavy cream and stirring frequently during the chilling process, which helps maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Enhance Dietary Adaptability by substituting whole milk with dairy-free alternatives like coconut or almond milk for a vegan-friendly version.
  • Boost Nutritional Value by incorporating fresh blueberries as a topping or mixing in antioxidant-rich berries during the final churning stage for added health benefits.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 422
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 22 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 23 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 97 mg
Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed

Founder & Food Content Creator

Expertise

Single-recipe development, Seasonal and local ingredient utilization, Food photography and styling, Culinary writing and content creation​

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, WV
Focus: Fundamentals of culinary techniques, emphasizing hands-on experience in small-scale kitchen settings.


Marcus’s story begins in Asheville, where good food and family kitchens shaped his earliest memories. After hands-on culinary training and a lot of trial (and a little error), he realized that real cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
At Pan and Oven, Marcus crafts recipes that are easy to follow, packed with flavor, and built for real kitchens.

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