Homemade peach ice cream is such a late summer indulgence. Its sweet, juicy flavor and creamy texture is so decadent, that it’s no wonder that peach ice cream is a favorite among many.
Peaches are the star of the show, so – I don’t know how many times I will say this – only use super ripe, fresh peaches to make the best peach ice cream. If you don’t, then the flavor won’t be the same – it will taste more like vanilla with a hint of peach!
Ingredients
This homemade peach ice cream recipe is based on David Lebovitz’s great peach ice cream from The Perfect Scoop, where he adds sour cream instead of milk. I love it and it makes it super easy. Also there are no eggs which I prefer, because you don’t need to worry about egg yolks and making an egg mixture.
Here are the few simple ingredients it takes to make delicious homemade peach ice cream!
Peaches: Can I say again how important it is to use fresh, ripe peaches 😉 The peach chunks should be peeled and pitted before being pureed or diced.
Heavy Cream (Double Cream): Heavy cream is must in making peach ice cream. It adds richness, body, and flavor to the finished product. When selecting a heavy cream, you may also see terms like “whipping” (double cream) or “cooking” cream. These are both suitable for making the best ice cream. Heavy whipping cream will produce a lighter finished product, while cooking cream will result in richer ice cream.
Sour Cream (or Soured Cream): Sour cream gives it that slightly tangy taste that works so well with peaches.
Granulated Sugar: Obviously, sugar sweetens the final product and plays an important role in the freezing process. Granulated sugar is the most common sugar used to make ice cream. Combined with cream, it also helps prevent ice crystals from forming, ensuring you get a smooth result.
Vanilla Extract: David suggests using vanilla. This enhances the ice cream giving it the rich flavor that makes this delicious recipe taste so good.
Lemon Juice: A few drops just adds that touch of sourness to the sweet peaches.
Steps
1. Clean the fruit
Wash the peaches thoroughly under running water. Peel them and then remove the stone and cut them into chunks.
2. Cook the peaches
After preparing the peaches the next step is to blend them into a smooth puree. Place peaches and the water into a medium saucepan and cook over medium-low heat for about 20-30 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes. Immediately add the sugar, so the sugar dissolves, Then, cool it to room temperature.
3. Make the puree
When cool, pour peach mixture into a high-speed blender or food processor with the vanilla extract, sour cream, heavy cream and few drops lemon juice. Then puree at medium speed for a few seconds until you get consistent and smooth peach puree.
Freeze (skip this step if you’re using an ice cream maker)
Transfer the milk mixture into a freezer-safe container or a shallow loaf pan (and cover tightly with plastic wrap) and place it in the freezer for about 4 hours.
After it’s completely frozen, keep the ice cream at room temperature to partially thaw it. Transfer it to the food processor for a minute or two (for a light, fluffy texture). Transfer the ice cream back into its container and refreeze for at least 3 hours.
Chill and transfer to the ice cream machine (skip this step if you’re not using an ice cream maker)
Place the ice cream mixture into a large bowl in the refrigerator until it is chilled. Transfer the mixture to the chilled container of your electric ice cream maker and churn ice cream as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
You can start eating your homemade ice cream immediately or keep it in the freezer for a couple of hours to firm it up.
Equipment
When making fresh peach ice cream, there are a few essential pieces of equipment that are necessary to ensure the best results. Here are some of the key items needed:
- Ice Cream Maker: A good quality ice cream maker is a must-have for making ice cream at home. There are many different types of ice cream makers available, including electric and manual models. Choose one that suits your needs and budget.
- Blender or Food Processor: You’ll need a blender to make the puree!
- Measuring Spoons and Measuring Cups: You will need measuring cups and spoons to measure the ingredients accurately.
- Mixing Bowls: You will need several mixing bowls of various sizes to mix and store the ingredients.
- Saucepan: A saucepan is required to heat the ingredients for the ice cream base. It is recommended to use a medium-sized, heavy saucepan or Dutch oven to ensure even heating. The saucepan should be able to hold at least 2 cups of liquid.
The Ice Cream maker to use!
You have to have an ice cream maker if you want to make ice cream or sorbet! I started making it using the Cuisinart ICE-100 Compressor Ice Cream and Gelato.
There is no faffing around with bowls in the freezer. When you are ready for ice cream, it’s ready. Just turn on the Cuisinart ice cream maker and go. In about 40 minutes, you have ice cream that you can eat right then, or you can put it in the freezer to harden up a bit more. Once done in, you’ll have about 1 litre of ice cream ready to devour!
Tips
When making peach ice cream, there are a few tips and tricks that can help ensure success:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The flavor of your ice cream will only be as good as the ingredients you use. Opt for fresh, high-quality cream, milk, and eggs.
- Chill your mixture thoroughly: Before churning, make sure your ice cream mixture is thoroughly chilled. This will help it freeze more quickly and evenly, resulting in a smoother texture. Aim for a temperature of around 40°F.
- Don’t overfill your ice cream maker: It can be tempting to fill your ice cream maker to the brim, but this can actually impede the freezing process. Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended capacity, and if you need to make a larger batch, do it in batches.
- Add mix-ins at the end: If you’re adding mix-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or fruit, wait until the last few minutes of churning to add them. This will help ensure they’re evenly distributed throughout the ice cream.
- Freeze your ice cream properly: Once your ice cream is churned, transfer it to an airtight container and freeze it for several hours or overnight. To prevent ice crystals from forming, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before sealing the container.
By following these tips and tricks, you can create delicious, creamy peach ice cream that’s sure to impress.
Variations
Peach ice cream is a delightful treat, and there are numerous variations you can try to enhance its flavor and texture. Here are some delicious ideas:
- Roasted Peach Ice Cream: Roast the juicy peaches in the oven until they caramelize and develop a deeper, richer flavor. Incorporate them into your ice cream base for a more intense peach taste.
- Peach Melba Ice Cream: Inspired by the classic dessert, add raspberry or raspberry sauce swirls to your peach ice cream. This combination of peach and raspberry creates a delightful and tangy flavor profile.
- Bourbon Peach Ice Cream: Infuse your ice cream base with a splash of bourbon to add complexity and depth to the peach flavor. Make sure the alcohol is adequately cooked off during the preparation process.
- Honeyed Peach Ice Cream: Replace some or all of the sugar in the base with honey, which pairs wonderfully with the fresh peach flavor and imparts a distinct floral sweetness.
- Ginger Peach Ice Cream: Add finely grated fresh ginger or ginger syrup to your peach ice cream base for a touch of warmth and spice.
Feel free to experiment with these variations and adjust the ingredient quantities to suit your taste preferences. Whether you prefer classic flavors or bold combinations, peach ice cream offers endless possibilities for creativity and enjoyment.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make lactose-free peach ice cream?
Absolutely! If you don’t have lactose tolerance and want to enjoy homemade ice cream, you can replace whole milk with lactose-free milk. moreover, you can also use coconut cream or lactose-free heavy cream.
Can you make dairy-free peach ice cream?
Yes! If you want a dairy-free ice cream without compromising its creamy and smooth consistency, use full-fat coconut milk instead of dairy milk. You can also add coconut cream instead of heavy cream for more creaminess.
Is peach ice cream gluten-free?
Ice cream is typically gluten-free, but it’s important to check the ingredients list to make sure there are no gluten-containing additives.
The Cherry on Top
Whether peach ice cream or peach sorbet, I love having a bowl of this during late July and early August during peach season. It’s summer in a scoop!
List of other ice creams
Here’s the Peach Ice Cream recipe!
Peach Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1⅓ lbs peaches seeded , peeled, and cut up into chunks
- ½ cup water
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- few drops lemon juice
Instructions
- Peel the peaches, slice them in half and remove the pits. Cut them into chunks
- Add the peach chunks, and the water to a saucepan over medium heat and cook, covered, until the paches are tender, stirring occasionally! This takes about 10 minutes.
- Add the sugar and stir.
- Let cool to room temperature
- Pour peaches with the liquid into a blender with the sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla and lemon juice and puree until smooth, unless you like a few chunks.
- Transfer to a bowl and chill in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready, take it out of the fridge and make it in an ice cream maker according to manufacture's instructions.
- Serve immediately or put in freezer to chill.
