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Indulge in the Ultimate Creamy Homemade Lemon Ice Cream

Experience the most exquisite lemon ice cream you’ve ever tasted. This remarkable recipe transforms vibrant lemon curd into a velvety lemon custard, then freezes it to a perfect, scoopable consistency. It’s an absolute must-try for any summer occasion, delivering a burst of refreshing citrus flavor in every decadent spoonful.

Celebrate the Sweetness of Summer: National Ice Cream Month

Did you know that July is officially National Ice Cream Month? With National Ice Cream Day always falling on the third Sunday of July, it’s the perfect excuse to indulge in everyone’s favorite frozen treat. We certainly celebrated the occasion with gusto, and what better way to honor this beloved dessert than by crafting a batch of homemade lemon ice cream?

From Our Kitchen to Yours: A Recipe Born from Friendship and Culinary Passion

This exceptional lemon ice cream recipe comes straight from the kitchen of one of my cherished foodie friends, Debi, from Life Currents. Her culinary expertise shines through in every aspect of this delightful creation, making it a truly special treat.

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining a fantastic group called Fantastical Food Fight. Each month, a passionate community of food bloggers comes together to create recipes centered around a specific ingredient or theme. This particular month, the theme was—you guessed it—ice cream! It seems I joined the party at just the right moment, ready to dive into the wonderful world of frozen desserts.

For the challenge, participants could either develop an original ice cream recipe or choose one from a fellow blogger, a cookbook, or any other source. My decision was immediate. I had been admiring and anticipating this very recipe ever since Debi first shared it back in May of 2016. Its promise of rich, tangy creaminess had captivated me, and I knew it was the perfect recipe to bring to our ice cream-themed showdown.

The Secret to Unforgettable Lemon Ice Cream: A Custard Base

The magic of this lemon ice cream begins with a handful of remarkably simple, yet high-quality ingredients: fresh lemons (naturally, they’re the star!), granulated sugar, farm-fresh eggs, rich unsalted butter, and decadent heavy cream. These foundational elements come together to create a base that is both intensely flavorful and incredibly smooth.

Crafting the Perfect Lemon Curd

The journey to this sublime ice cream starts with creating a luscious lemon curd. In a large metal bowl, or the top section of a double boiler, you’ll whisk together the fresh lemon juice and eggs until well combined. Then, incorporate the sugar and butter. Place this bowl over a saucepan of simmering water on the stove. This gentle heat ensures even cooking without curdling the eggs. As you continue to whisk, the mixture will gradually thicken into a vibrant, glossy lemon curd – the flavorful heart of our ice cream.

Transforming Curd into Creamy Custard

Once your lemon curd has reached its perfect consistency, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. This step is crucial before introducing the remaining ingredients. Next, whisk in the heavy cream, a delicate pinch of salt to balance the flavors, and a touch of lemon extract to further amplify that bright, zesty lemon essence. The mixture will transform into a rich, creamy custard, ready for its final transformation. Cover the bowl and refrigerate this delightful base for several hours, or ideally, overnight. This chilling period is essential for allowing the flavors to meld and for the mixture to reach the optimal temperature for churning. Patience truly is a virtue here – trust us, the wait is absolutely worth it!

Churning to Perfection

After the base is thoroughly chilled, transfer it to your ice cream freezer and churn it according to your manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a thick, soft-serve consistency. For a firmer, more traditional ice cream texture, transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze it overnight. This extra freezing time allows the ice cream to harden beautifully, making it perfectly scoopable and even more enjoyable.

Finally, scoop this incredible lemon ice cream into a bowl, perhaps garnish with a fresh lemon slice or a sprig of mint, and savor every single spoonful. It’s a taste of pure sunshine and culinary delight!

Why This Lemon Ice Cream Will Be Your New Favorite

Lemon-infused recipes consistently rank as top favorites among my readers and my own family. If you share our deep appreciation for the bright, zesty flavor of lemon, then trying this recipe is an absolute must. Its unparalleled richness and creamy texture guarantee it will become an instant favorite in your household. This isn’t just ice cream; it’s a refreshing escape, a perfect balance of tart and sweet, and a testament to the simple joy of homemade desserts.

Before we dive into the full recipe details, I thought you might enjoy exploring some of my other beloved ice cream and frozen treat recipes? Expand your frozen dessert repertoire with these delightful options:

Vanilla Caramel Swirl Ice Cream – Indulge in this incredibly creamy, no-churn homemade ice cream. With only 4 simple ingredients, it’s a dessert dream come true.

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter and Banana Ice Cream – Achieve the luscious creaminess of ice cream without the added sugars or guilt! Make this delightful “ice cream” today; no ice cream maker needed.

{Copy Cat} Baskin Robbins Daiquiri Ice – If you, like me, miss Baskin Robbins’ Daiquiri Ice, now you can recreate it at home! This copycat recipe tastes exactly like the original.

Pineapple Dole Whip – Ever enjoyed a refreshing Pineapple Dole Whip at Disney? Good news – you can now easily make them in your own kitchen!

Ready to create your own batch of this sensational lemon ice cream? Let’s get straight to the recipe!

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Overhead of Lemon Ice cream in a blue bowl

Average Rating: 4.48 out of 5 stars from 19 votes

Print Recipe

Lemon Ice Cream

The creamiest Lemon Ice Cream you ever did taste… lemon curd turns into a creamy lemon custard, then frozen until it’s perfectly ice-cream-scoop-able. A summer MUST try.

Recipe Details:

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Additional Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Lemon Ice Cream
Servings: 6-8
Calories: 465 kcal
Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

½ cup fresh lemon juice – I used Meyer Lemons
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon lemon extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream
pinch salt

Instructions

In a large metal bowl or the top of a double boiler, combine lemon juice, butter, eggs, and sugar.
Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water on the stove. Whisk until sugar dissolves and butter melts. The mixture will begin to thicken. This will take about 15 minutes.
Remove the lemon curd from the heat and allow to slightly cool.
Whisk in the lemon extract, cream, and salt. Cover and refrigerate until cold (several hours or overnight).
Remove from the fridge, stir well, and pour into your ice cream freezer. Freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions. When finished, the ice cream will be soft, like soft serve. For firmer ice cream, place in the freezer for a few hours.

Notes

Recipe from Life Currents

Nutrition

Don’t miss out on more incredible ice cream creations! Be sure to check out the other fantastic ice cream recipes from our passionate group of food bloggers. You’ll find a world of frozen delights to explore and enjoy!