If you have ever dreamed of capturing the delicate floral notes of lavender paired with the natural sweetness of honey in a luscious frozen treat, this Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe will be your new favorite indulgence. Creamy, aromatic, and simply irresistible, this ice cream combines the elegance of lavender with the cozy sweetness of honey, creating a scoop that feels both sophisticated and comforting. It’s a perfect treat for warm days or whenever you want to impress with a homemade dessert that tastes like summer in a bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating this dreamy ice cream. These simple, wholesome components work harmoniously to create a rich texture and a perfectly balanced flavor profile that lets the honey and lavender shine through.
- Whole milk: The foundation that adds creaminess and smoothness to the ice cream base.
- Heavy cream: Essential for that rich, velvety texture that makes every spoonful melt in your mouth.
- Honey: Provides delicate, natural sweetness and floral notes that blend beautifully with lavender.
- Dried lavender buds: The star ingredient that infuses the creamy base with subtle and fragrant floral flavors.
- Large egg yolks: Key to achieving a silky custard texture and deep color in your ice cream.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the honey’s natural sweetness and helps with ice cream consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and complements the floral and honey notes perfectly.
- Optional purple food coloring: Adds a lovely pastel hue to highlight the lavender theme without altering flavor.
How to Make Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Infuse the milk mixture
Start by gently heating the whole milk, heavy cream, honey, and dried lavender buds together until it just reaches a simmer. This slow warming allows the lavender’s fragrant oils to infuse beautifully into the creamy mixture. Once simmering, take it off the heat and let it steep for 20 minutes to develop that enchanting floral aroma before straining out the lavender buds.
Step 2: Whisk the egg yolks and sugar
While the milk mixture is steeping, whisk together the egg yolks and granulated sugar until the mixture turns pale and slightly thickened. This step is crucial because it aerates the eggs, which contributes to the creamy texture of the custard later on. Gradually pour in the warm milk and cream mixture into the eggs to temper them, preventing scrambling and ensuring a smooth, silky custard.
Step 3: Cook the custard
Pour the combined mixture back into the pan and cook it gently over low heat. Stir continuously and patiently until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This slow cooking step transforms the mixture into a rich custard base. Once thickened, stir in the vanilla extract and a few drops of purple food coloring, if using, to bring an inviting color and complementary flavor to your ice cream.
Step 4: Cool and refrigerate
After cooking, allow the custard to cool to room temperature, then cover it and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Chilling the mixture thoroughly not only enhances the flavor melding but also helps the ice cream churn better and develop an ultra-creamy texture.
Step 5: Churn and freeze
Finally, pour your chilled custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for an additional 2 hours to firm up before serving. This last step ensures that each scoop holds its shape perfectly, ready to delight.
How to Serve Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe
Garnishes
To enhance your Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe presentation, consider garnishing with a sprinkle of dried lavender buds, a drizzle of honey, or even a few fresh edible flowers. These simple touches not only add a visual appeal but also intensify the floral and sweet aroma, making every bite an immersive experience.
Side Dishes
This ice cream pairs beautifully with light, complementary desserts like shortbread cookies or lemon pound cake. The buttery richness of shortbread contrasts perfectly with the floral sweetness, while the citrus notes in lemon pound cake add a refreshing lift that balances the creaminess.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe in delicate waffle cones sprinkled with crushed pistachios or alongside a bowl of fresh berries for a colorful, textural contrast. Another idea is to scoop it into pretty glass dishes layered with a spoonful of honey-lavender syrup or lavender-infused whipped cream for an elegant dessert parfait.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store your Honey Lavender Ice Cream in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and unwanted odors. Keeping it well sealed ensures your ice cream keeps its creamy texture and delicate flavors intact.
Freezing
You can freeze the ice cream for up to 2 weeks for the best texture and flavor. Avoid over-freezing, which may cause ice crystals to form and alter the smooth creaminess you worked so hard to achieve with this Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe.
Reheating
Since this is ice cream, reheating isn’t applicable, but to enjoy your ice cream at the perfect serving temperature after freezing, simply take it out of the freezer 5 to 10 minutes before scooping. This brief thaw will soften it just enough for easy serving without losing that wonderfully creamy texture.
FAQs
Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried?
Fresh lavender can be used but it tends to have a more subtle flavor than dried buds. If you choose fresh, use slightly more and be sure to wash and dry it thoroughly to avoid bitterness in your ice cream.
Is it necessary to use an ice cream maker?
An ice cream maker helps achieve the best texture by churning the mixture and incorporating air. However, if you don’t have one, you can freeze the mixture in a shallow container and stir every 30 minutes until firm to help break up ice crystals.
Can I substitute honey with another sweetener?
You can use maple syrup or agave nectar as alternatives, but keep in mind that honey’s unique floral sweetness complements lavender in a way that few other sweeteners do, so the flavor will change slightly.
How long does the ice cream take to churn?
Most ice cream makers require about 20 to 30 minutes of churning. The mixture should thicken to a soft-serve consistency before transferring to the freezer for firming up.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
To make a vegan version, substitute dairy milk and cream with coconut milk or another plant-based milk and replace egg yolks with a cornstarch or agar thickener. Keep in mind the flavor and texture may vary but you can still enjoy the lovely honey and lavender flavors.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe is truly a labor of love that rewards you with every creamy, fragrant spoonful. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply to treat yourself on a sunny afternoon, this ice cream has a timeless charm that’s hard to resist. Give it a try, invite some friends over, and watch how a little homemade magic can turn into big smiles and happy hearts!
Print
Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes (including chilling and freezing time)
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delicate and aromatic Honey Lavender Ice Cream recipe that combines creamy custard with floral notes of lavender and natural sweetness from honey. Perfect for a refreshing homemade dessert infused with subtle purple hues.
Ingredients
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A few drops of purple food coloring (optional)
Herbs and Flavorings
- 1/4 cup dried lavender buds
Egg and Sugar
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Infuse Milk and Cream: In a saucepan, combine whole milk, heavy cream, honey, and dried lavender buds. Heat gently over medium heat until the mixture reaches a simmer. Remove from heat and allow the lavender to steep for 20 minutes to infuse flavor. Strain the mixture to remove lavender buds, setting the infused milk mixture aside.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and granulated sugar until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened. This step ensures a smooth custard base.
- Temper Eggs: Gradually pour the warm milk and cream infusion into the egg yolk mixture while whisking continuously to prevent the eggs from curdling. This tempers the eggs and incorporates the flavors evenly.
- Cook Custard: Return the combined mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 8 minutes. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling. Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla extract and optional purple food coloring to enhance appearance.
- Chill Custard: Transfer the custard to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to cool completely and develop flavor.
- Churn Ice Cream: Pour the chilled custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
- Freeze and Serve: Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for an additional 2 hours to firm up before serving. Scoop and enjoy your homemade honey lavender ice cream.
Notes
- Use high-quality dried lavender buds labeled for culinary use to ensure safety and flavor quality.
- Tempering the eggs is crucial to avoid scrambled eggs in your custard.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can freeze the custard and stir every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals for a smoother texture.
- The optional purple food coloring is for visual appeal and can be omitted if you prefer natural color.
- For a stronger lavender flavor, increase steeping time but be cautious of bitterness.
