Homemade Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream

Here’s a delicious homemade cherry vanilla ice cream recipe that combines the sweet-tart flavor of cherries with the creamy richness of vanilla. This recipe doesn’t require an ice cream maker, although you can use one if you have it.

Ingredients

For the Ice Cream Base:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 large egg yolks

For the Cherry Swirl:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and chopped
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Cherry Swirl Preparation:

1. Cook the Cherries: In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, 1/4 cup of sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cherries break down and the mixture thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
2. Blend the Mixture: If you prefer a smoother consistency, blend the mixture with an immersion blender or regular blender. Let the cherry mixture cool completely.

Ice Cream Base Preparation:

1. Heat the Cream and Milk: In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, and 1 cup of sugar. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is hot but not boiling, stirring occasionally.
2. Whisk the Egg Yolks: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they are pale and slightly thickened.
3. Temper the Egg Yolks: Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling.
4. Combine the Mixtures: Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining cream mixture. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Add Vanilla: Remove the mixture from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
6. Cool the Mixture: Let the ice cream base cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 4 hours or overnight.

Combining and Freezing:

1. Layer the Mixtures: If using an ice cream maker, churn the chilled ice cream base according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once churned, gently fold in the cherry mixture, creating swirls.

   If not using an ice cream maker, pour half of the ice cream base into a freezer-safe container. Spoon half of the cherry mixture over the top and swirl with a knife. Repeat with the remaining ice cream base and cherry mixture.

2. Freeze: Cover the container with plastic wrap or an airtight lid and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.

Serving:

1. Scoop and Enjoy: Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping to soften slightly. Enjoy your homemade cherry vanilla ice cream!

Tips:

• If using fresh cherries, make sure they are pitted properly to avoid any bits in the ice cream.
• For a chunkier texture, you can skip blending the cherry mixture.
• To enhance the flavor, you can add a splash of almond extract to the cherry swirl.

Enjoy your homemade cherry vanilla ice cream!