If you have a soft spot for ice cream that feels both elegant and comforting, this Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine the creamy, luscious texture of homemade ice cream infused with the delicate floral notes of lavender, perfectly balanced by the natural sweetness of honey. It’s a dreamy treat that’s surprisingly simple to make at home yet so special that it instantly feels like a gourmet experience. Whether you’re crafting a dessert for a casual family night or an impressive finale for a dinner party, this Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe dazzles every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe plays a starring role, coming together to create a rich and velvety texture with delicate floral undertones and smooth sweetness. These simple components ensure your ice cream is bursting with fresh, natural flavors and perfect creaminess.
- 2 cups heavy cream: Provides the rich, creamy base that makes the ice cream so smooth and indulgent.
- 1 cup whole milk: Lightens the cream slightly while adding a wholesome dairy flavor for balance.
- 1/2 cup honey: Adds natural sweetness and a lovely floral depth that complements the lavender beautifully.
- 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender: Infuses the ice cream with its signature fragrant, floral aroma and taste.
- 5 large egg yolks: Create a creamy custard base that helps the ice cream thicken and develop a luxurious texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances and rounds out the flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.
How to Make Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Infuse the Cream Mixture
Start by gently heating the heavy cream, whole milk, honey, and dried lavender in a saucepan over medium heat. As the mixture nears a simmer, the honey dissolves and the lavender releases its intoxicating fragrance. Then, covering and steeping it for 15 to 20 minutes allows those floral notes to fully infuse, setting the tone for the entire ice cream.
Step 2: Strain and Reheat
Carefully strain out the lavender buds to avoid any gritty textures in the finished ice cream. Return the infused cream to the pan and warm it up again—this step ensures the mixture is the perfect temperature to blend beautifully with the eggs in the next step.
Step 3: Whisk the Egg Yolks
Whisk your egg yolks until they’re light and a bit thicker. This not only helps with texture but gives the ice cream a lovely golden color. Gradually add the warm cream mixture to the yolks, whisking steadily to keep everything silky smooth and to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
Step 4: Cook the Custard
Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan and gently cook it over medium-low heat. Stir constantly; you’ll notice the custard thickens after about 5 to 7 minutes. Watch carefully here—the mixture should thicken without boiling, which is key to achieving that perfect custard consistency that will make the ice cream so lush.
Step 5: Add Vanilla and Chill
Once the custard is thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract for an extra layer of cozy sweetness. Then cover and refrigerate it for at least four hours or ideally overnight. This chilling step enhances the flavors and ensures the mixture is perfectly cold before churning.
Step 6: Churn the Ice Cream
Pour your cold custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions until it reaches a soft-serve texture. The magic is happening now—the creamy, floral goodness is coming to life as it aerates and freezes.
Step 7: Freeze to Firm Up
Transfer the churned ice cream to a lidded container and freeze for at least two hours. This final freeze firms it up nice and solid, readying it for those perfectly scoopable moments you’re about to enjoy!
How to Serve Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe
Garnishes
To highlight the elegance of this Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe, consider garnishing with a few dried lavender buds or a drizzle of honey. A sprinkle of crushed pistachios or edible flower petals can add not only visual appeal but a delightful textural contrast that elevates every bite.
Side Dishes
This ice cream shines beside fresh summer berries or atop a warm shortbread cookie for an irresistible duo of flavors and temperatures. It also pairs beautifully with a lemon tart or a simple almond cake, adding a striking burst of floral sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve scoops in crisp waffle cones sprinkled with a hint of dried lavender sugar. Or try crafting elegant ice cream sandwiches using buttery cookies—this transforms your Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe into a shareable treat that’s sure to impress friends and family alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, keep your ice cream tightly covered in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn and maintain maximum flavor. Store it at the back of the freezer where the temperature remains stable, and it should stay creamy and fresh for up to two weeks.
Freezing
If making the ice cream ahead of time, prepare the custard and fully chill it as directed before churning. After churning, promptly freeze the ice cream so it sets perfectly. Avoid repeatedly thawing and refreezing, which can affect its creamy texture.
Reheating
This ice cream is best enjoyed straight from the freezer. If it’s too firm, simply let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes to soften slightly for easier scooping. Avoid microwaving, as that will melt and ruin the texture.
FAQs
Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried for this Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe?
You can substitute fresh culinary lavender, but use it sparingly—about half the amount of dried—to avoid overpowering the ice cream. Always ensure the lavender is edible and pesticide-free.
Is it necessary to use an ice cream maker for this recipe?
While an ice cream maker gives the best texture and creaminess, you can achieve a similar result by freezing the custard and stirring every 30 minutes for a few hours to break up ice crystals.
Can I replace honey with another sweetener?
Honey adds unique floral sweetness that pairs beautifully with lavender, but maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as alternatives. Adjust quantity to taste, as sweetness levels differ.
How long does the ice cream take to freeze completely after churning?
After churning, allow the ice cream to freeze in a lidded container for at least two hours to firm up fully for the best scooping experience.
Is it okay to skip the vanilla extract?
Vanilla extract adds warmth and depth, perfectly rounding out the flavors, but if you don’t have any on hand, the ice cream will still be delicious with just the honey and lavender notes.
Final Thoughts
Making this Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe at home is like inviting a little scoop of sunshine and springtime into your freezer. Its elegant yet simple flavor profile never fails to impress and offers a fresh twist on a classic favorite. Give it a try—you’re going to love how delightfully creamy and fragrant every bite is.
Print
Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Honey Lavender Ice Cream recipe offers a delicate floral twist on classic homemade ice cream. Infused with dried culinary lavender and naturally sweetened with honey, this creamy custard-based dessert is perfect for a refreshing treat. The process involves steeping lavender in cream, tempering egg yolks for a silky texture, and churning the mixture in an ice cream maker for a smooth, aromatic finish.
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
Custard
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Infuse the Cream: In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, honey, and dried culinary lavender. Heat over medium heat until the mixture just begins to simmer. Remove from heat, cover the saucepan, and let the mixture steep for 15 to 20 minutes to extract the lavender flavor.
- Strain the Lavender: Strain out the lavender flowers from the cream mixture using a fine mesh sieve and discard them. Return the infused cream to the saucepan and gently reheat until warm but not boiling.
- Prepare the Egg Yolks: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they become light in color and slightly thickened. Slowly pour the warm cream mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly to temper the eggs and prevent curdling.
- Cook the Custard: Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat. Stir continuously until the custard thickens to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes. Be careful not to let the mixture boil to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Cool and Flavor: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Cover and refrigerate the custard for at least 4 hours or overnight to chill thoroughly.
- Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions until it reaches a soft-serve texture.
- Freeze to Set: Transfer the churned ice cream into a lidded container and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up the texture before serving.
Notes
- Use culinary-grade dried lavender to ensure a pleasant flavor.
- Tempering the egg yolks carefully is important to avoid curdling.
- Do not boil the custard mixture to maintain a smooth texture.
- For best results, refrigerate the custard overnight before churning.
- If you do not have an ice cream maker, freeze the mixture in a shallow container and stir every 30 minutes until firm.
