From Farm to Bowl: Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

I took Wynn to a local farm here in North Carolina to pick strawberries, fresh from the field.  I was craving fresh strawberry ice cream and homemade jam and I wanted to show Wynn how God grows treasures like straweberries!  I wasn’t sure what to expect from a little boy, just turned two years old, in a strawberry patch, but the day turned out to be a great success.

He was a great helper and kept our fellow patrons entertained by waving wildly to anyone who passed by and saying “Hiiii!  How ya doin’???  Wynn’s pickin’ strawberries!!!!”

 

We also sampled one or two, warmed through from the hot morning sun.  I am so glad that God loved the world so much that he created strawberries to usher in the first of summer.

We took home a gallon of fresh berries and made ice cream that same afternoon.   Here is my recipe for perfectly delicious homemade strawberry ice cream.   I used an automatic ice cream maker.  Quick and easy and kept my toddler entertained the full 25 minutes it was churning!


Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
 1 Pint fresh ripe strawberries, sliced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup sugar, divided
1 cup whole milk*
2 cups heavy cream*
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
{*for a lighter version, substitute 3 cups 2% milk for the whole milk and cream (I did); the ice cream still has a wonderful fresh flavor, although the consistency is not as smooth and creamy.}

In a small bowl, combine the strawberries with the lemon juice and 1/3 cup of sugar, stir and allow the strawberries to sit for 2 hours.  In a medium bowl, combine the milk and remaining 2/3 cup of sugar, whisk well to dissolve sugar.  Stir in the cream, vanilla, and any accumulated juice from the strawberries.

Turn on your ice cream machine, pour ice cream mixture into the freezer container and let mix until thickened, about 25 minutes.  Add the sliced strawberries during the last 5 minutes of freezing.
 
 

If you can wait, put the freezer container full of ice cream in your freezer and wait an hour or two for the ice cream to have a firm, scoopable consistency.  I personally prefer it soft, right out of the bowl!

I scream, 
you scream, 
we all scream for ice cream!!!

First and last images via Cook2Shoot, all other images, mine.


5 Comments

  1. Lovely, lovely, LOVELY!!! This is just amazing! Wynn is amazingly precious, as always. The ice cream looks incredible…your styling is perfect! Love this!!!

  2. Love the pictures of Wynn – he is so cute!!
    Is there any way to make this strawberry ice cream without using an ice cream maker?

    Thanks
    Molly

  3. We tried to hunt down some farm-fresh berries today, but sadly the early warm weather in TN has shortened the season (I refuse to import from CA!). Maybe next year.

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