Lavender Ice Cream (Printable)

A fragrant, creamy ice cream infused with delicate lavender for a refreshing summer dessert.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy Base

01 - 2 cups heavy cream
02 - 1 cup whole milk

→ Custard Base

03 - 5 large egg yolks
04 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar

→ Flavorings

05 - 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender buds
06 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
07 - Purple food coloring (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine milk and lavender buds in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until just simmering. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes to extract floral flavors.
02 - Pour the milk through a fine mesh sieve to remove lavender buds, pressing gently to maximize flavor extraction. Return the infused milk to the saucepan.
03 - Whisk egg yolks and sugar together in a separate bowl until the mixture becomes pale yellow and slightly thickened, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Slowly pour the warm lavender milk into the egg yolk mixture while whisking constantly. This gradual process prevents the eggs from curdling and ensures a smooth custard.
05 - Return the mixture to the saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, until the custard thickens and coats the back of the spoon (approximately 170°F). Do not allow the mixture to boil.
06 - Remove from heat immediately. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract until fully combined. Add food coloring if using.
07 - Pour the custard through a fine sieve into a clean bowl. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to develop flavors.
08 - Process the chilled mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until firm, approximately 2-4 hours.
09 - Scoop into serving bowls. Garnish with additional lavender buds or edible flowers if desired. Serve immediately for optimal texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The texture is incredibly silky and restaurant quality, but comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have
  • People cannot guess what makes it so special until you tell them, making it the perfect dinner party surprise
02 -
  • Overheating the custard will cause the eggs to scramble, so keep the heat low and stir constantly during this crucial step
  • The steeping time matters too little and the flavor will be subtle, too much and it becomes bitter
03 -
  • Chill your ice cream canister in the freezer for at least 24 hours before churning for the best results
  • Place your storage container in the freezer while the custard chills so the ice cream stays cold during transfer

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