In the last few months, day-to-day life has changed quite a bit. Like most of you, I’ve worked hard to adjust to a new reality while maintaining sanity. And y’all, it hasn’t been easy. I mean, seriously, can we take a moment to celebrate our ability to adapt in the midst of uncertainty? To the parents that have taken on home-schooling, the healthcare professionals that work countless hours and the small businesses continuing to support their communities, I acknowledge you and I thank you.
With all that being said, there are pieces of my so-called “normal” life that I’ve found myself missing a lot lately. Family visits to the beach and solo trips to the movie theater are high on my “miss list”. But, the one I thing I miss the most? Date nights with my husband!
For years, my man and I have made it a point to keep up with regular date nights. One of our go-to spots is Frontera Grill, celebrity chef Rick Bayless’ restaurants in Chicago. Each decadent, romantic meal is made even more memorable by our dessert choice: Michigan Raspberry Ice Cream with D’aristi Rum. Each spoonful is life-affirming. Dramatic, I know, but it’s that good.
Tonight, I’m bringing the date night to my own home by recreating that refreshingly perfect raspberry ice cream. Shh, don’t tell my husband, it’s a surprise!
How to Make Raspberry Ice Cream
Since the moment I took the very first bite of that raspberry ice cream, I knew I needed to recreate it. It was crucial that I achieve that fresh, sweet raspberry flavor and smooth texture. And guess what y’all, I did it!
Here’s what I used to make it happen:
Raspberries – raspberries have a fresh sweetness to them, but their tart undertone makes them less sweet than a strawberry. Sometimes, they can even have a sort of floral, rose-like note. Their gorgeous color and enchanting flavor make for a stunning Summer treat.
TIP: Be sure to choose plump, dry, firm and uniformly colored raspberries. Avoid any withered, crushed or molded fruit.
Eggs & Eggs Yolks – eggs serve as both the base to our custard and a binder for the other ingredients. It’s best to work with room temperature eggs if possible.
Granulated Sugar – can’t make ice cream without a few spoonfuls of that sweet, magical fairy dust!
Heavy Whipping Cream – when aerated, HWC forms a smooth whipped cream that lightens the entirety of our mixture.
Half & Half – this is what will layer in that luscious, decadent element that any good ice cream should have.
All-Purpose Flour– flour will thicken the ice cream while in the mixer.
Vanilla Extract – vanilla is quite earthy and its floral notes highlight similar flavors in the raspberries.
Red Food Coloring (optional) – I wanted the color of this ice cream to truly ‘POP’. A few drops of food coloring does the trick!
DRESS IT UP!
Listen, this ice cream is incredible as is but, if you’re really looking to take things up a notch, you should totally go for it. I love using this recipe to dress up another dessert.
Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
- Chocolate Brownies topped with Raspberry Ice Cream
- Raspberry Sugar Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Raspberry Ice Cream Oreo Smoothie
HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
If you’re someone who enjoys homemade ice cream as much as I do, I’d suggest investing in a high-quality container that can be used year round. This container is a favorite of mine; it’s inexpensive and doesn’t take up much freezer space.
Looking to share your frozen fare? Spread the love with family and friends by using these biodegradable containers. Be careful though, folks always come back for more!
TIP: This homemade ice cream will last for months in the freezer. Just be sure to keep the container tightly sealed to prevent freezer burn.
GRANDBABY CAKES MOST RAVISHING RASPBERRIES
If you ask me, raspberries are a bit underrated. From rich brownies to cool sorbets, raspberries can do it all. And boy, do they do it well! Care to challenge me on that? Do it by stirring up a few of my BEST raspberry-filled recipes:
- KEY LIME PIE W/ RASPBERRY SWIRL
- RASPBERRY LEMON BARS
- PEACH RASPBERRY ICE CREAM
- RASPBERRY S’MORES PIE
Raspberry Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 pound raspberries pureed with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
- 4 drops red food coloring optional
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 pot and heat to boiling level. Remove from heat.
- 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 whisk the entire time to make sure it doesn't scramble.
- Add in raspberries and flour and stir to combine.
- Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to chill completely.
- Remove mixture from refrigerator and stir in vanilla extract.
- Add your mixture to an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions and freeze.
I’ve made this recipe a few times now and it is the best ice cream recipe I have ever tried. The only change I make is to add about 1-2 tblsp of Balsamic Vinegar to the raspberries when I am pureeing them. I think this enhances the raspberry flavor. I don’t think you really taste the vinegar at all. I also strain the liquid after I have mixed everything together just because I don’t like so many seeds. Thanks for the recipe!!
Yeah. it’s look delicious too!
Ohhhhh yum! What a beautiful color, and such a tasty combination. In the heat of the summer there are few things more refreshing than berries and cream 🙂
I could not agree more Eva!!
It sounds like an incredible ice cream! Anything that can change a life deserves a try! 😀
Thanks so much!
“Life-changing ice cream”. Best sentence ever.
Exactly! And shouldn’t all ice cream be that way???
I love raspberry and ice cream. I’ve got to give this one a try. Looks so beautiful and sounds decadent. 🙂
Thanks so much Amy!!
The ice cream looks scrumptious, especially in your beautiful dishes.
Thank you so much Barbara!
This looks fabulous, Jocelyn! So happy to be semi-settled from my move so I can start visiting my favorite bloggers again! xox
Hooray Carol! I have missed your recipes. I am so glad you are back!
Wow this looks so yummy if I had rasberries I would make it right now…
Thanks so much!