The Perfect Summer Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe You’ll Love

Strawberry ice cream refines ordinary summer moments into delightful sensory experiences.

Succulent, vibrant berries blend seamlessly with smooth, luxurious dairy to create a heavenly frozen delight.

homemade strawberry ice cream captures the essence of seasonal freshness in every creamy spoonful.

Wild and sun-kissed fruit notes dance across your palate with remarkable intensity.

Intense natural sweetness mingles with rich, velvety textures that melt effortlessly on your tongue.

This classic dessert represents culinary simplicity at its most sublime, celebrating pure ingredient quality and craftsmanship.

Prepare to indulge in a refreshing treat that refines ordinary ingredients into extraordinary pleasure.

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream: A Creamy, Fruity Delight

• Burst Fresh Strawberry Flavor: Experience an explosion of pure, natural strawberry taste that captures the essence of ripe summer berries in every creamy spoonful.
• Effortless Homemade Luxury: Create gourmet-quality ice cream with minimal effort, transforming simple ingredients into a decadent dessert that rivals premium store-bought versions.
• Customize Your Dessert Dream: Easily adjust sweetness, add vibrant food coloring, or experiment with additional mix-ins to make this recipe uniquely yours, perfect for creative home cooks and dessert lovers.
• Quick and Refreshing Treat: Whip up this delightful dessert in under 30 minutes of active preparation, then let your freezer do the rest, making it an ideal last-minute indulgence for hot summer days or unexpected sweet cravings.

Ingredients for Making the Best Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

• Strawberries: Sweet, ripe berries with intense red color and maximum flavor for authentic homemade ice cream. Choose local, seasonal strawberries for best taste and freshness.

• Milk, Cream: Rich, smooth base providing creamy texture and luxurious mouthfeel. Full-fat dairy ensures better consistency and richer flavor profile.

• Sugar: Natural sweetener balancing strawberry tartness and improving overall taste. White granulated sugar works best for smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic ingredient adding depth and complementing strawberrys natural sweetness. Pure vanilla extract recommended for best flavor.
• Salt: Tiny pinch to enhance and balance overall flavor complexity.

• Food Coloring: Optional ingredient for more vibrant strawberry color if natural fruit color appears pale.

How to Make Smooth, Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream at Home

Step 1: Prepare Strawberry Base

Wash and hull fresh strawberries. Mash them in a bowl using a potato masher or fork. Optional: Sprinkle sugar over mashed strawberries to enhance sweetness and draw out natural juices.

Step 2: Create Ice Cream Mixture

• Mashed strawberries
• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Whisk ingredients until well blended. If desired, add a few drops of red food coloring for vibrant appearance.

Step 3: Churn the Ice Cream

Pour the strawberry mixture into an ice cream maker. Churn according to the machine’s specific instructions, typically 20-25 minutes, until the mixture reaches a soft, creamy consistency.

Step 4: Freeze and Set

Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container. Place in the freezer for 2-4 hours to firm up and develop a rich, smooth texture.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop the homemade strawberry ice cream into bowls or cones. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices or mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately and savor the creamy, fruity delight.

How to Achieve the Perfect Texture in Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

• Maximize Flavor Intensity: Use ripe, in-season strawberries for the most vibrant and sweet taste profile.
• Smooth Texture Secret: Strain mashed strawberries to remove seeds for a silkier, more refined ice cream texture.
• Sweetness Balance: Adjust sugar levels based on the natural sweetness of your strawberries to prevent over or under-sweetening.
• Churning Technique: Ensure ice cream maker bowl is completely frozen before starting to guarantee proper freezing and texture.
• Storage Pro Tip: Cover ice cream surface with plastic wrap before sealing container to prevent ice crystal formation and maintain creamy consistency.

Tips for Keeping Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream Fresh

• Refrigeration: Store homemade strawberry ice cream in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and maintain its creamy texture. Place plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing the container to minimize ice crystal formation.
• Freezing Duration: Keep your strawberry ice cream in the coldest part of the freezer for up to two weeks. After this time, the texture and flavor might start to deteriorate, so consume it within the recommended timeframe for the best taste experience.
• Serving After Freezing: Remove the ice cream from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping. This brief resting period helps soften the dessert, making it easier to scoop and restoring its original smooth, creamy consistency without compromising the flavor.

Best Toppings to Enhance Your Strawberry Ice Cream

• Pair with Crisp Champagne: The light, bubbly texture of champagne complements the creamy sweetness of strawberry ice cream, creating a delightful contrast that dances on your palate.
• Serve with Shortbread Cookies: Buttery, crumbly shortbread provides a perfect crunchy companion to the smooth, velvety ice cream, adding a delightful textural experience.
• Match with Fresh Mint Garnish: Sprinkle fresh mint leaves on top to introduce a subtle, refreshing herbal note that enhances the strawberry's natural brightness and cuts through the cream's richness.
• Combine with Dark Chocolate Drizzle: A rich, slightly bitter dark chocolate sauce creates a luxurious flavor profile that beautifully balances the ice cream's sweetness and fruity essence.

Unique Spins on Classic Strawberry Ice Cream

• Berry Swirl Sensation: Fold in fresh blueberries or raspberries into the strawberry base for a multi-berry experience with added texture and complexity.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers or chopped pecans throughout the churning process for a delightful crunch and nutty undertone.
• Chocolate-Dipped Dream: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the churned ice cream before freezing, creating rich chocolate ribbons within the strawberry base.
• Creamy Coconut Fusion: Replace half the cream with coconut milk and add a touch of shredded coconut for a tropical-inspired strawberry ice cream variation.

Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy homemade strawberry ice cream delivers pure summer delight with fresh ripe berries and rich cream. Smooth, sweet, and irresistibly fresh, this dessert brings Italian gelato elegance right to your kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, mashed
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) heavy cream
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) whole milk

Sweeteners:

• 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) salt
• 2 drops red food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Hull and thoroughly crush ripe strawberries in a mixing bowl, gently incorporating granulated sugar to intensify their natural sweetness and release juices.
2. Whisk together whole milk (240 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces), heavy cream (480 milliliters or 16 fluid ounces), additional white sugar, pure vanilla extract, and a delicate pinch of kosher salt until the mixture becomes smooth and uniformly blended.
3. Fold the macerated strawberries into the creamy base, ensuring even distribution and optional addition of natural red food coloring for enhanced visual appeal.
4. Pour the combined mixture into a pre-chilled ice cream maker, churning slowly and consistently according to the appliance’s specific instructions until the texture transforms into a soft, velvety consistency.
5. Carefully transfer the freshly churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container with an airtight seal, smoothing the surface to prevent ice crystal formation.
6. Allow the ice cream to mature and firm up in the freezer for 3-5 hours, ensuring optimal texture and flavor development.
7. Before serving, let the ice cream rest at room temperature for 2-3 minutes to soften slightly, then scoop into chilled bowls or crisp waffle cones for a delightful summer treat.

Notes

• Chill mixing bowl and utensils beforehand to keep ingredients extra cold during preparation.
• Freeze ripe, freshly picked strawberries for more intense flavor and natural sweetness.
• Adjust sugar levels based on strawberry ripeness and personal taste preferences.
• Use heavy cream with high fat content for smoother, creamier ice cream texture.
• Select organic, locally sourced ingredients for best possible taste and quality.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 43g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 100mg