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
- 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.
- Strain the blueberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, incorporating lemon juice. Set aside the vibrant purple sauce.
- 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.
- Remove from heat and fold in heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract. Transfer to a large metal or glass bowl.
- Gently integrate the reserved blueberry puree, creating a marbled lavender-purple custard base.
- Cool the mixture by nestling the bowl in an ice bath for 1 hour, or refrigerate for 3 hours until temperature reaches 40°F.
- Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker, churning for approximately 25 minutes until reaching a soft serve consistency.
- For firmer texture, transfer to a loaf pan or sealed container, freezing for 2-4 hours. Cover with parchment paper to prevent ice crystallization.
- 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