Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe is one of my all-time favorites, especially when I’m craving that perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and fruity on a warm afternoon. Nothing beats the cozy aroma and natural vibrancy of real strawberries blended beautifully into luscious ice cream. Whether you’re looking for a fun weekend project or a super refreshing treat to share with family and friends, this recipe hits all the right notes. You’ll enjoy how fresh and homemade this is, plus, it’s surprisingly simple to make without a ton of fancy ingredients.
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What Makes This So Good
What I love most about this Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe is the celebration of simple, real ingredients. That burst of pure strawberry flavor combined with the smooth creaminess makes all the difference. It’s light enough to enjoy anytime but comforting enough to feel like a cozy reward.
- Big Flavor, Minimal Fuss: You get the fresh strawberry brightness alongside rich vanilla and cream, all without lots of complicated steps or ingredients.
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will flock to this. Plus, you know exactly what’s inside—no mystery additives.
- Simple Ingredients: Fresh strawberries, cream, milk, and sugar—easy finds at any grocery store or farmers market.
- Works Any Night: You don’t have to wait for special occasions. Make it as a quick weekend treat or celebrate sunny days whenever they come.
Ingredient Guide
Picking the right ingredients is key to your Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe turning out perfectly. Here’s a quick rundown on the essentials and how you can prep or swap them if needed.
- Fresh Strawberries: Look for ripe, fragrant berries with deep red color. The juicier they are, the more vibrant your ice cream flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Standard white sugar works great to sweeten and help macerate the berries, but you can try fine sugar if you want quicker dissolving.
- Heavy Cream: This is what gives your ice cream that creamy texture. Use the freshest and highest fat content you can find for best richness.
- Whole Milk: Adding whole milk lightens the cream just enough without sacrificing smoothness, so be sure to grab full-fat dairy here.
- Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon of real vanilla brings warmth and balance. Avoid artificial flavoring if possible for authentic taste.
- Salt: Just a pinch wakes up all the other flavors beautifully without tasting salty.
Quick Reminder: Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1 — Prep & Ready
Start by hulling and slicing your fresh strawberries. Toss them gently with a bit of sugar and let them sit for about 30 minutes. This maceration is key—it softens the berries and releases a natural, juicy syrup that adds incredible flavor depth. While you're waiting, get your equipment ready: make sure your ice cream maker’s bowl is well chilled (check your manufacturer’s instructions), and gather your cream, milk, and vanilla. Having everything at hand keeps the whole process smooth and fun.
Step 2 — Cook with Confidence
Blend the macerated strawberries until smooth, or leave a few small chunks for texture if you prefer that fruity bite. In a separate bowl, whisk the heavy cream, whole milk, remaining sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt together until the sugar is completely dissolved—that's your creamy base. Then fold the strawberry puree into this mixture gently until everything looks beautifully combined and vibrant. Pour into your ice cream maker and churn according to the machine’s instructions. You'll notice a sweet, fresh aroma filling your kitchen and a gradual thickening as it approaches soft-serve consistency.
Step 3 — Finish & Serve
Once churned, transfer your strawberry ice cream into an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours so it firms up nicely. When you scoop into it later, you’ll love the creamy texture with delightful pockets of fresh strawberry throughout. Serve it in bowls or cones, and maybe even add a few fresh strawberry slices on top for an extra pop of color and flavor. It’s pure summer happiness in every spoonful!
Extra Helpful Tips
I’ve found a few tricks that make this Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe even easier and tastier. These little insights help keep your ice cream silky and packed with natural strawberry flavor every single time.
- Watch for This Sign: When your ice cream reaches a thick, soft-serve texture in the machine, that's your cue to stop churning and freeze it solid.
- Temperature Trick: Chill your mixing bowl and utensils ahead of time so the cream mixture stays cool while you work, boosting your ice cream’s creaminess.
- Prep-Ahead Option: Macerate strawberries the day before and keep them refrigerated to deepen the juicy, sweet flavor.
- Avoid This Common Mistake: Don’t skip letting the sugar dissolve fully in the cream mixture—it ensures smooth ice cream without graininess.
Serve & Enjoy
Easy Enhancements
Take your Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe up a notch by drizzling warm chocolate sauce, adding fresh mint leaves for a herbal touch, or sprinkling crushed toasted almonds for crunch. A light dusting of cinnamon or a splash of lemon zest can also brighten the flavor wonderfully, making each scoop feel a bit more special.
Tasty Pairings
Serve this strawberry ice cream alongside a slice of angel food cake, a buttery shortbread cookie, or fresh fruit salad for a balanced dessert plate. For drinks, I love pairing it with sparkling lemonade or a chilled rosé to complement the berry sweetness.
Quick Plating Tips
Scoop the ice cream into chilled bowls or waffle cones for a wonderful contrast. Garnish with a single strawberry half or a sprig of mint. Using a drizzle of strawberry coulis or a tiny spoon of whipped cream adds an elegant, inviting finish—perfect for impressing guests or just treating yourself.
Store, Freeze & Reheat
Fridge Storage
This ice cream is best stored in an airtight container in the freezer, not the fridge, to maintain its creamy texture. If you leave it in the fridge, it will melt and lose that ice cream magic. So plan ahead for chilling time in the freezer.
Freezer Friendly?
Yes, this Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe freezes beautifully for up to two weeks. Just make sure it’s sealed tightly to prevent ice crystals. When it’s time to serve, let it thaw for about 5–10 minutes at room temperature to soften slightly for easy scooping without melting too much.
Reheat Like New
Ice cream doesn’t really reheat, but to bring back that fresh-made scoop texture after freezer storage, simply let it sit at room temperature a few minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, as that melts your ice cream into a soupy mess instead of that creamy dream you made.
Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work just fine—just thaw and drain any excess liquid before macerating. The flavor might be slightly less fresh, but it still makes delicious ice cream.
While an ice cream maker gives the best texture, you can also freeze the mixture in a shallow container and stir every 30 minutes until semi-frozen for a no-machine version.
The sugar amount balances the natural tartness of strawberries. You can adjust it to taste, but too little sugar can result in icy or bland ice cream.
Definitely! Add your favorite mix-ins during the last few minutes of churning for even distribution and a fun texture contrast.
Final Flavor Thoughts
Thanks for joining me on this strawberry-sweet adventure! If you give this Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe a whirl, I’d love to hear how it turns out—whether you kept it classic or tweaked it with extra mix-ins. Don’t forget to leave a star rating if you enjoyed it, and maybe next time try swapping in fresh basil or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a grown-up twist. Happy churning!
Print📖 Recipe
Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe
A refreshing homemade strawberry ice cream recipe that combines fresh macerated strawberries with creamy milk and cream, flavored delicately with vanilla. This no-bake dessert is churned in an ice cream maker to create a smooth, creamy texture perfect for enjoying the natural sweetness of summer berries.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: About 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Strawberries
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for macerating strawberries)
Ice Cream Base
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Macerate Strawberries: In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with ¼ cup of sugar. Let them sit for about 30 minutes to macerate, which helps release their natural juices and enhances sweetness.
- Puree Strawberries: Using a blender or food processor, puree the macerated strawberries until smooth, leaving some small chunks if you prefer a bit of texture in your ice cream.
- Prepare Cream Mixture: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, remaining ¾ cup sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the strawberry puree into the cream mixture until fully combined, ensuring an even distribution of fruit flavor throughout the base.
- Churn Ice Cream: Pour the combined mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency, typically about 20-30 minutes.
- Freeze: Transfer the churned ice cream into an airtight container, cover, and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm for optimal texture.
- Serve: Scoop and enjoy your homemade, fresh strawberry ice cream, a perfect treat for warm days or any time you crave a sweet, fruity dessert.
Notes
- For chunkier ice cream, pulse the strawberries less when pureeing.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce fat content, but texture may be less creamy.
- If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can pour the mixture into a shallow container and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes until firm.
- Adjust sugar levels based on the sweetness of your strawberries or personal taste.
- Use ripe, fresh strawberries for the best flavor and color.
- Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping to soften slightly.
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