Are you craving a creamy, tangy dessert that screams summer in every single bite? Look no further than this incredibly simple yet mind-blowingly delicious Lemon Ice Cream! With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you can transform ordinary cream into a restaurant-worthy dessert that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. Forget complicated recipes - this no-churn wonder is about to become your new secret weapon in the kitchen!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. Whisk together until the mixture becomes smooth and well incorporated.
- Carefully zest one large lemon using a microplane or fine grater, ensuring you only collect the bright yellow outer layer and avoid the white pith underneath.
- Squeeze fresh lemons to extract 1/2 cup of lemon juice, straining out any seeds to ensure a smooth mixture.
- Add the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract to the cream mixture. Gently stir until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid, preferably a metal or glass container that will help the ice cream freeze more evenly.
- Cover the container and place in the freezer for 4-6 hours, or until the ice cream reaches a firm, scoopable consistency.
- For best texture, remove the ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly.
- Serve in chilled dessert bowls and optionally garnish with additional lemon zest or a small mint leaf for presentation.
Tips
- Use fresh lemons: Always choose ripe, firm lemons for the most vibrant and authentic citrus flavor. Avoid bottled lemon juice for best results.
- Zest carefully: When zesting, only remove the bright yellow part of the lemon peel. The white pith underneath can add unwanted bitterness to your ice cream.
- Chill your ingredients: For a smoother texture, ensure your cream is cold before whipping and mixing.
- Freezing hack: If you don't have a metal or glass container, wrap your plastic container in a freezer bag to help distribute cold more evenly.
- Softening trick: Always let your ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to achieve that perfect, creamy scoopability.
- Storage tip: Cover the surface with plastic wrap directly touching the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 24g
Cholesterol: 140mg
