Zesty Brown Butter Lemon Ice Cream Recipe to Brighten Your Day

Silky, tangy, and luxuriously rich, this brown butter lemon ice cream swirls with unexpected depths of flavor that dance across your palate.

Deep golden butter caramelized to perfection merges seamlessly with bright, zesty citrus notes.

The nutty undertones of brown butter complement the sharp lemon, creating a sophisticated dessert that feels both comforting and elegant.

Summer afternoons call for something special, and this recipe delivers a delightful twist on classic ice cream.

Each spoonful promises a complex blend of warmth and brightness that will surprise and delight.

Grab your ingredients and whisk your way to a dessert that turns an ordinary moment into a memorable culinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Brown Butter Lemon Ice Cream

• Sugar: Brings delightful sweetness and helps balance the tangy lemon notes.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a luxuriously smooth and creamy texture in the ice cream.
• Salt: Enhances and deepens the overall flavor profile of the dessert.

• Lemon Juice: Provides bright, tangy flavor that cuts through the richness.
• Lemon Zest: Adds intense citrus aroma and concentrated lemon essence.

• Eggs: Act as a binding agent and contribute to the silky custard-like consistency.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Delivers rich, airy texture and luxurious mouthfeel.
• Butter: Brings nutty depth through browning and adds richness.

• Brown Sugar: Introduces caramel-like warmth and complexity.
• Cinnamon: Provides subtle warmth and aromatic depth to the dessert.

Ice Cream Making Equipment You’ll Want

• Mixer or Electric Beater: Essential for whipping cream and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Medium Saucepan (light-colored): Perfect for browning butter evenly and monitoring color changes.
• Small Nonstick Saucepan: Ideal for making lemon curd without sticking.
• Whisk: Crucial for stirring and preventing lumps in lemon curd and ice cream mixture.
• Heat-Safe Jar: Great for cooling brown butter and storing lemon curd.
• Sieve or Fine-Mesh Strainer: Helps strain lemon curd for smooth texture.
• Spatula: Useful for folding ingredients and scraping sides of mixing bowl.
• Loaf Pan or Freezer-Safe Container: Needed for freezing and setting ice cream.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Knife: Required for swirling layers of lemon curd and brown butter.

How to Churn Brown Butter Lemon Perfection

• Zesty Lemon Foundation

Combine ingredients in a saucepan, whisking gently over gentle heat. Let the mixture transform into a silky, luxurious curd that clings to your spoon. Strain through a fine mesh to ensure ultimate smoothness, then let it cool naturally.

• Golden Butter Magic

Select a light-colored pan and transform ordinary butter into a nutty, caramel-colored elixir. Watch carefully as it shifts from pale to rich amber, releasing a mesmerizing aroma. Transfer carefully to a cool container.

• Creamy Cloud Preparation

Whip cream until it reaches heavenly peaks, creating a pillowy base. Introduce condensed milk and zesty notes, blending until harmonious. Gently fold in warm brown butter and swirls of tangy lemon curd.

• Artistic Layering

In a freezer-friendly vessel, create beautiful layers by alternating cream mixture with playful dollops of lemon curd and brown butter. Use a knife to create dreamy, marbled patterns throughout.

• Frozen Transformation

Seal your creation and allow it to rest in the freezer’s embrace. Patience rewards you with a luxurious, velvety dessert that promises pure summer delight. Let it set for several hours until perfectly scoopable.

Cool Tips for Zingy Ice Cream Flavor

• Enhance the nutty flavor by browning butter a few minutes longer for a deeper, more caramelized taste that adds complexity to the ice cream.
• Experiment with different citrus zests like lime or orange to create unique flavor profiles that complement the brown butter's richness.
• Prepare lemon curd and brown butter up to a week in advance, storing them separately in airtight containers to streamline the ice cream-making process.
• Fold ingredients gently to maintain air pockets, ensuring a lighter, creamier texture that melts smoothly on the tongue.
• Garnish with candied lemon peels, toasted almond slivers, or a drizzle of honey to elevate the dessert's visual appeal and add complementary textures.

Scoop & Serve with Flair

• Serve Chilled Dessert Delight: Scoop the brown butter lemon ice cream into elegant dessert bowls or glasses for a stunning presentation that highlights its creamy texture and swirled patterns.
• Pair with Crisp Companions: Accompany the ice cream with delicate lemon shortbread cookies or crisp almond biscotti to complement the rich, tangy flavor profile.
• Garnish with Zesty Touches: Sprinkle fresh lemon zest, toasted almond slivers, or a light drizzle of honey on top to add extra dimension and visual appeal to this luxurious frozen treat.
• Brunch Brilliance: Showcase this sophisticated dessert as a refreshing finale to a weekend brunch, offering guests a memorable and indulgent culinary experience.

Ice Cream Storage Tips for Freshness

• Freeze and Savor: Store this brown butter lemon ice cream in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain its creamy texture and prevent freezer burn.
• Chill Duration: Enjoy the ice cream within 2 weeks for the best flavor and quality, keeping it consistently frozen at 0°F or below.
• Smart Portioning: Scoop individual servings into small freezer-safe containers for quick grab-and-go treats that stay fresh and delicious.
• Flavor Protection: Wrap the container's surface with plastic wrap before adding the lid to create an extra barrier against unwanted freezer odors and ice crystals.

Velvety Brown Butter Lemon Ice Cream Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy brown butter lemon ice cream blends nutty and citrus notes for a sophisticated dessert. Rich Mediterranean flavors combine delicate sweetness with tangy brightness. You’ll savor each luxurious spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (18 oz/510 g) heavy whipping cream, cold
• 1 can (14 oz/397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• ¼ cup (2 oz/57 g) salted butter, browned and cooled
• ¼ cup (2 oz/57 g) lemon juice, freshly-squeezed
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
• ¼ cup (1.8 oz/50 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps (25 g) light brown sugar
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 3 tbsps (42 g) unsalted butter, softened or melted
• Tiny pinch fine sea salt (for lemon curd)
• Tiny pinch fine sea salt (for ice cream)

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Instructions

1. Lemon Curd Creation: Blend granulated sugar, eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, unsalted butter, and salt in a nonstick saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens and coats a wooden spoon.
2. Curd Refinement: Strain the hot lemon curd through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean container, then allow to cool to room temperature.
3. Brown Butter Transformation: Melt butter cubes in a light-colored saucepan, stirring consistently and scraping the bottom to achieve a rich amber hue without burning.
4. Cream Preparation: Whip heavy cream in a stand mixer, progressing from medium to high speed until stiff peaks form, then blend in sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and salt.
5. Flavor Infusion: Gently fold cinnamon, brown sugar, half of the lemon curd, and cooled brown butter into the whipped cream, creating a delicate marbled effect.
6. Layering and Swirling: Pour half the ice cream base into a freezer-safe container, dot with remaining lemon curd and brown butter, then use a knife to create elegant swirls. Repeat the layering process.
7. Freezing and Setting: Seal the container and refrigerate for a minimum of 8 hours, allowing flavors to meld and texture to solidify.

Notes

• Prevent Curdling: Continuously whisk the lemon curd mixture to avoid scrambling eggs and ensure a smooth, silky texture.
• Brown Butter Technique: Use a light-colored pan to easily monitor the browning process and prevent burning, which can create bitter flavors.
• Whipping Cream Precision: Achieve stiff peaks by gradually increasing mixer speed and watching for the right consistency to maintain volume.
• Swirling Strategy: Create gentle, random swirls when incorporating lemon curd and brown butter to achieve a beautiful, marbled appearance without overmixing.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks, Drinks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg