Homemade Peach Ice Cream
This Homemade Peach Ice Cream recipe captures the fresh, vibrant flavor of ripe peaches in a creamy, smooth dessert perfect for warm days. Made with simple ingredients like fresh peaches, heavy cream, and vanilla, it can be easily customized or made dairy-free. Enjoy a naturally sweet and luscious treat that outshines store-bought versions any time you want a taste of summer.
- Author: Gloria
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours (including chilling and freezing time)
- Yield: About 1 quart (4 servings) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-churn or churned freezing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh ripe peaches, peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Variations
- Coconut cream and almond milk (for dairy-free version)
- Cinnamon or cardamom (for spiced peach version)
- Homemade or store-bought peach jam (for jam swirl)
- Toasted pecans or almonds (for crunch)
- Bourbon or peach schnapps (for boozy boost)
- Prepare the Peaches: Wash, peel, and dice about 3 cups of fresh peaches. Toss the chunks with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to preserve color and prevent browning. For a smoother texture, puree half of the peaches and leave the rest chopped for added texture.
- Make the Ice Cream Base: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup granulated sugar and a pinch of salt with 2 cups heavy cream and 1 cup whole milk until the sugar dissolves completely. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract for a warm, sweet undertone.
- Combine Peaches and Base: Gently fold the peach puree and the chopped peach pieces into the cream mixture, blending flavors while keeping some chunks intact for texture.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours or overnight to meld flavors and ensure it’s cold enough for churning.
- Churn the Ice Cream: If using an ice cream maker, pour the chilled mixture into the machine and churn for 20 to 30 minutes until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. Without an ice cream maker, pour mixture into a freezer-safe container and stir vigorously every 30 minutes for 3-4 hours until firm.
- Freeze Until Firm: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for an additional 2 to 3 hours for perfect scoopable texture.
Notes
- Use ripe peaches for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Do not skip chilling the base; it improves texture and churn quality.
- Add sugar gradually to balance sweetness with peach flavor.
- For extra smooth ice cream, strain the peach puree to remove fibrous bits.
- If no ice cream maker, stir frequently during freezing to prevent ice crystals and maintain creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: peach ice cream, homemade ice cream, summer dessert, fresh peach recipe, no churn ice cream, dairy-free peach ice cream, fruity ice cream