This southern style custard based Strawberry Ice Cream recipe is enhanced with the richness of heavy cream and made irresistible with fresh strawberries in season during the Spring and Summer.
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Back in the day, my mom would take me to the ice cream parlor for strawberry ice cream. Now that I’m a mom, instead of taking my daughter to the ice cream parlor, I want to pass down my strawberry ice cream recipe to her. She can then pass it down to my granddaughter and so on. Besides, homemade strawberry ice cream tastes way better than anything I’ve ever had at an ice cream parlor. when in reality it’s simple and produces some of the best quality ice cream you’ll ever have.
The Heart and Soul of the Best Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe
Cuisine Inspiration: American Summer Classics
Primary Cooking Method: Churning
Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free (check your mix-ins and toppings)
Key Flavor: Bursting with fresh, sweet strawberry goodness
Skill Level: Beginner-friendly, but with a gourmet twist
Sweet Highlights:
- Fresh Strawberry Puree: We’re keeping it 100% real with fresh strawberries, blended into a puree that packs a punch of flavor.
- Perfect Creaminess: This has the smoothest texture
- Sweet, But Not Too Sweet: We’ve got the sugar balance just right
- Versatile Vibes: Whether you’re dressing it up with chocolate drizzle or keeping it classic with a waffle cone, this recipe is your canvas.
- Summer in a Scoop: One taste and you’re transported to sunny days, picnics in the park, and all the joy that the best season has to offer.
Ingredients
The ingredients that make a strawberry ice cream super creamy and luscious are the following:
- Eggs and Egg Yolks
- Sugar
- Heavy Cream
- Half and Half
- Fresh Strawberries
- Vanilla Extract
The eggs and additional egg yolks add a lot of richness to this recipe and create the custard that is needed for a smooth mixture.
Sugar of course is super important to sweeten the recipe. Feel free to make changes to this amount. If you grab strawberries during the spring and summer season when they are indeed in season, you might have a much sweeter variety than those you would get in the fall and winter. Adjust accordingly.
The addition of heavy cream and half and half creates a wonderful indulgence to the recipe. It makes the ice cream sooo creamy!
Lastly fresh strawberries (or even frozen strawberries if that is all you have on hand) and finally vanilla extract that brightens the flavor even more are the last ingredients.
How to Make Strawberry Ice Cream
The process starts by beating both eggs and egg yolks with your sugar while bringing heavy cream and half and half to a boil. Ice cream is only as good as the ingredients you use to make it. So if you can afford it, buying high-quality cream and eggs will ensure a fresher taste. The same rule applies to the strawberries and vanilla extract that will be added later on.
Next, slowly add three tablespoons of the hot milk mixture to the egg mixture to temper it and whisk together to combine. Then slowly add in the rest of the milk mixture and continue to whisk the entire time to make sure it doesn’t scramble. I’m sure no one wants chunks of scrambled egg lingering in their sweet treat.
Add that perfectly sweet strawberry puree, vanilla extract and food coloring if you choose to use it. There’s no shame in adding in that perfect pop of pink but even without it the result is delicious.
Your next move is key. Chill your mixture until completely cool. I’ll say it one more time for the people in the back. Completely cool. Doing this enables your mixture to be aerated as much as possible in the maker, making for the creamiest, smoothest ice cream possible.
Once your mixture has cooled it’s time to get it into your mixer. If you’re using the type of ice cream maker that uses a freezer bowl, make sure to freeze the bowl at least 24 hours ahead of time. If your bowl is not cold enough there’s a chance your mixture will never freeze properly. Disregard this tip if you’re using any other kind of ice cream maker. Be sure to add your mixture to an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions and freeze.
The end result is strawberry ice cream like you’ve never had it before. The taste of natural strawberries comes through while leaving that sickly sweet artificial berry flavor that lingers on the teeth. The texture is smooth, light and oh so wonderfully creamy. You’ll never look at strawberry ice cream the same way again.
How to Properly Store
I love to add my ice cream to some amazing cartons. They allow me to store them in disposable containers that I can also gift to family and friends during the summer. They are easy to carry as well and store in the freezer since they don’t take up too much room.
More Amazing Ice Cream Recipes
If you love Ice Cream, definitely check out these other homemade ice cream recipes:
Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 pound strawberries pureed with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Red food coloring if desired
Instructions
- Beat eggs and egg yolks in a medium sized bowl. Next add sugar to the bowl and whisk together.
- Add heavy cream and half and half to a large saucepan and heat gently; do not let come to a boil.
- Temper eggs by slowly pour 1 cup of hot heavy cream mixture into egg mixture while whisking quickly. This will raise the temperature of the eggs carefully without scrambling them. Then while stirring, pour the tempered egg mixture slowly into the remaining heavy cream mixture in the saucepan.
- Gently heat ice cream base over medium low heat, stirring constantly (especially the corners of the pot), until thickened and reaches 170F on a digital thermometer. The mixture should look silky and coat the back of a spoon so when you run your finger through it, it doesn’t come back together.
- Remove from heat and add strawberry puree, vanilla extract and food coloring. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve (to catch any cooked egg pieces) and chill in an ice bath (a bowl set inside of a bowl of ice water) until it’s cooled to room temperature. Then cover with plastic wrap and move into the refrigerator until completely cold, about 2-3 hours.
- Add your mixture to an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions and freeze.
- Store in freezer while not serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Want more Mother’s Day Inspiration? Check out my Pinterest Board HERE:
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Aw, this is so sweet Jocelyn! Your mom sounds so special! Moms are such angels – I know mine is. And you are going to be a great mama when your time comes.
Just make sure you make this awesome strawberry ice cream for them when they are old enough! They will love it!
We love homemade strawberry ice cream around my house – and yours looks amazing! xo
Well now that sounds like a good plan Robyn! Strawberry ice cream is the way to any kid’s heart right? Thank you so much!
Love you thoughts on mothers. I feel just the same way- my mom is my best friend, she has pushed me the right amount my entire life but also knows when to let go, sit back, and let me do my own thing. My friends have all adopted her as their own psuedo-mom, too 🙂
This ice cream looks to die for! I love strawberry and homemade is the best!
My mom is totally my BFF too. I seriously can’t imagine life without her.
This recipe screams summer fun! I am a huge fan of strawberry ice cream. It brings back childhood memories! And sugar cones are the best.
OMG same here! I feel like a kid again with one of these cones!
There is nothing like homemade ice cream, especially strawberry ice cream – which a favorite in our home.
Isn’t it fantastic? My fave too!!
What a sweet post, in every way:) This looks so incredibly good!
Thank you so much Matt!!
Of course you will be a great mom. You had a great example. Motherhood is the toughest job out there but also the most rewarding.
I love strawberry ice cream….just a few more weeks and we will be able to pick local strawberries.
I certainly pray so Karen!! Same here, I can’t wait to pick up some local ones!!
I love what you shared about your mother, she sounds like a fantastic person and a wonderful mother.
I’m loving this ice cream, too, so classic and perfect for this time of year!
Thank you so much Sam! You are so sweet!
Mommies are really just the best!! God sent them to be our angels on earth and watch over us! Your mom is amazing and so glad you appreciate her. You have the perfect example and role model for when it’s your turn!!
OK send me some ice cream please? Thanks!!
They are complete angels in every single way! And you are going to be a wonderful mother!
Your mother sounds like such a warm, inspiring woman and I can see why your friends adopted her! I have always admired women (moms or not) who are able to pull people into their circles and make them feel needed and welcome–very much like you do right here in this lovely space of yours 🙂 And this strawberry ice cream has me drooling (I am craving them hardcore this last trimester and I need this ice cream in my life)!
I think you are going to be one heck of a mom Amy. You are such a beautiful and warm soul. Happy Early Mother’s Day!
J, first off, this strawberry ice cream is BEAUTIFUL!!! love your photos! and secondly, your mother is awesome. . I know this even just from the few times I have met her and our weekend in Kohler. . she loves you and your brother so much! A mother’s love is something undeniable. . and you will certainly be as awesome a mother as your mother is. . I can’t wait to see you preggers .. but I’m jumping the gun here! 😛 love you, boo! give your mother a big hug from me!
Gosh you are just so special Alice. I love you to pieces. Seeing you around your girls is something that is always so special to me. You are one hell of a mom. If I am anything like you, my kinds are in amazing hands.
i am enjoying a nice cone right now! it is super sweet and tasty!
Hooray Hollie I am so glad you are enjoying it!