Description
This Fresh Blueberry Ice Cream recipe offers a creamy, naturally fruity treat made with pureed blueberries and rich dairy. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy, it's churned in an ice cream maker for a smooth texture, then frozen to set, making it an ideal homemade dessert for summer or any time you crave fresh berry flavor.
Ingredients
Fruit Puree
- 4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Sweetener & Flavorings
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Dairy
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 cups whipping cream
Instructions
- Puree Blueberries: Place the fresh or frozen blueberries in a blender and puree until smooth, creating a vibrant base for the ice cream.
- Warm Blueberry Mixture: Transfer the pureed blueberries to a sauce pan, add the sugar, and stir over low heat until the sugar completely dissolves. Be careful not to boil; you only need to warm it enough to dissolve the sugar.
- Chill Mixture: Remove the pan from heat and refrigerate the blueberry mixture until it is thoroughly chilled. This helps to develop flavor and ensures a smooth ice cream texture.
- Combine Dairy Ingredients: Once the blueberry mixture is cold, add the vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, whole milk, half and half, and whipping cream. Mix everything well until fully combined.
- Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the combined mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually about 20-30 minutes, until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
- Freeze to Set: Transfer the churned ice cream to a container and freeze for at least 4-6 hours to allow it to firm up and the flavors to ripen for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Using fresh blueberries will give the brightest flavor, but frozen can be used and thawed before pureeing.
- Make sure the blueberry-sugar mixture is fully cooled before adding the dairy to avoid curdling when churning.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can freeze the mixture in a container and stir every 30 minutes until firm to help prevent ice crystals.
- For a smoother texture, strain the pureed blueberries before warming to remove skins and seeds if desired.
- This recipe can be adjusted to reduce sugar or substitute with a sugar alternative for a lower-calorie version.
