Oh, let me tell you about my latest obsession: creamy honey lavender ice cream! Imagine a velvety scoop that melts in your mouth, bringing together the floral notes of lavender and the sweetness of honey. It’s like a gentle hug on a hot day! I first discovered this delightful treat during a sunny picnic in the park, and it instantly transported me to a dreamy, aromatic garden. The combination of rich creaminess with that subtle hint of lavender is simply divine. Trust me, once you try this creamy honey lavender ice cream, you’ll find yourself longing for warm afternoons just to indulge in it again and again!
Ingredients List
- 2 cups heavy cream: This is the base of your ice cream, lending it that rich, creamy texture we all love.
- 1 cup whole milk: Adds a bit of lightness and balances the richness of the cream.
- 3/4 cup honey: Sweetens the ice cream and infuses it with a lovely floral flavor. Feel free to adjust based on how sweet you like it!
- 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender: Make sure it’s culinary grade for the best flavor; this will give your ice cream that unique and aromatic essence.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A classic flavor enhancer that rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: This adds sweetness and helps achieve that smooth texture when churning.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch! It helps balance the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
How to Prepare Creamy Honey Lavender Ice Cream
Step 1: Combine Cream and Milk
Start by grabbing a medium saucepan and adding the 2 cups of heavy cream, 1 cup of whole milk, and 3/4 cup of honey. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s warm but not boiling. You just want it cozy enough to blend the flavors beautifully!
Step 2: Infuse Lavender
Once your mixture is warm, add the 2 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender. Let it steep for about 15 minutes. This is where the magic happens! The lavender will infuse the cream with its delightful floral notes. Just make sure to keep an eye on the clock so it doesn’t steep too long, or it might become overpowering.
Step 3: Strain the Mixture
After steeping, it’s time to strain the mixture. Use a fine mesh strainer to pour the cream mixture into another bowl, discarding the lavender flowers. This step is crucial for that smooth texture, so don’t skip it!
Step 4: Mix Remaining Ingredients
In the bowl with your strained mixture, whisk in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Keep whisking until everything is fully dissolved and well combined. You should have a beautifully fragrant mixture at this point!
Step 5: Chill the Mixture
Now, transfer the bowl to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours. This step is super important for achieving that creamy consistency when you churn it later, so be patient! If you can let it sit overnight, even better.
Step 6: Churn the Ice Cream
Once chilled, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to churn it until it thickens and resembles soft serve. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on your machine.
Step 7: Freeze and Serve
After churning, transfer the ice cream to a container and freeze it for at least 4 hours to firm up. When you’re ready to serve, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping. This makes it easier to get those perfect, creamy scoops!
Tips for Success
To achieve the best creamy honey lavender ice cream, here are a few pro tips to keep in mind! First, use high-quality honey and culinary lavender for the most vibrant flavor. If you want a stronger lavender taste, feel free to increase the steeping time, but don’t exceed 20 minutes to avoid bitterness. Also, be sure to chill your mixture thoroughly; this step is crucial for that smooth, creamy texture. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this ice cream—just pour the mixture into a container and stir every 30 minutes until it’s frozen. And finally, always let the ice cream sit out for a few minutes before scooping; it’ll make serving so much easier!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a rough estimate of the nutritional values for this creamy honey lavender ice cream. Keep in mind that these are based on the ingredients listed and can vary depending on specific brands or quantities used:
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Sugar: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
These values can help you keep track of your treats! Enjoy every creamy spoonful, and remember, balance is key!
FAQ Section
Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried?
Yes, you can use fresh lavender, but you’ll need to adjust the amount since fresh herbs tend to be more potent. Start with about 1 tablespoon of fresh lavender and taste to see if you want to add more!
What if I don’t have an ice cream maker?
No worries! You can still enjoy this creamy honey lavender ice cream. Just pour the mixture into a shallow container and freeze it. Every 30 minutes, stir it vigorously with a fork to break up any ice crystals until it reaches your desired consistency.
How long can I store the ice cream?
You can store your creamy honey lavender ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Just remember to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping for easier serving!
Can I substitute the honey with another sweetener?
Absolutely! If you prefer a different sweetener, you can use maple syrup or agave nectar. Just keep in mind that this may slightly alter the flavor profile, but it’ll still be delicious!
Is this ice cream suitable for vegans?
This recipe isn’t vegan due to the heavy cream and honey, but you can make a vegan version by using full-fat coconut milk or a non-dairy cream alternative and substituting maple syrup for honey. It’ll still be a delightful treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy preparation—perfect for a last-minute dessert!
- Rich and creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Unique flavor combination of honey and lavender that’s sure to impress.
- A refreshing treat for hot summer days or any time you need a sweet escape.
- Customizable sweetness; adjust the honey to suit your taste.
- Made with simple, natural ingredients you can feel good about.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To store your creamy honey lavender ice cream, transfer it to an airtight container. Make sure to smooth the top and press a piece of parchment paper directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals from forming. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 weeks—if it lasts that long! When you’re ready to enjoy, let it sit at room temperature for about 5–10 minutes to soften slightly. This will make scooping so much easier and help you get those perfect, creamy scoops. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
For more information on the health benefits of honey, you can visit Healthline.
For a deeper dive into the culinary uses of lavender, check out The Spruce Eats.
If you’re interested in making other delicious ice cream flavors, consider visiting Serious Eats for tips and recipes.
Imprimer
Creamy Honey Lavender Ice Cream: 7 Steps to Pure Bliss
- Temps Total: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Rendement: 1 quart 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A rich and smooth ice cream infused with honey and lavender.
Ingrédients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, whole milk, and honey. Heat over medium until warm.
- Add dried lavender and let steep for 15 minutes.
- Strain the mixture to remove lavender.
- Whisk in vanilla extract, sugar, and salt until dissolved.
- Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- Pour into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Transfer to a container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.
Notes
- Use culinary lavender for the best flavor.
- Adjust honey based on your sweetness preference.
- Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 15 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Ice Cream Maker
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sucre: 24g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 15g
- Graisses Saturées: 10g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 3g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 28g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 3g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 70mg
Mots-clés: creamy honey lavender ice cream
