Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Our Favorite Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

As far as ice cream is concerned, when the weather is warm nothing can quite compare. Grab a scoop of this cold and creamy frozen treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.

We're starting with Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Cream.

Make a nonalcoholic version of this grown-up ice cream by substituting cranberry juice cocktail for the wine.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Cream

Photo: Francesco Tonelli

Double Chocolate Ice Cream

A combo of cocoa powder and melted chocolate makes for a rich, ultra-chocolaty dessert. We updated the recipe to use heavy cream in place of the half-and-half in the original. Note: If you’re using a 1 1/2-quart tabletop ice-cream maker, it’ll be pretty full.

View Recipe: Double Chocolate Ice Cream

Photo: John Autry

Tangy Ice Cream with Cashew Brittle

This brittle is a delicious counterpoint to our Tangy Ice Cream. But, we can assure you, the ice cream is delicious on its own too.

View Recipe: Tangy Ice Cream with Cashew Brittle

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Lemon Verbena Ice Cream

"I remember discovering lemon verbena one summer at the greenmarket in New York," says Chef Hatfield (Hatfield's, Los Angeles). "The smell is intoxicating, and it stays with you forever."

View Recipe: Lemon Verbena Ice Cream

Photo: Colleen Duffley

Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Cool off on a hot day with a big bowl of this creamy homemade ice cream. Perfect for entertaining, this top-rated recipe makes enough for a crowd.

mbeezie called this recipe, "an annual favorite that we make after picking blueberries."

View Recipe: Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Salted Caramel Ice Cream

It's hard to beat the sweet-salty goodness of this indulgent yet light caramel ice cream. Light ice cream has evolved from its watery ice-milk days and in the Test Kitchen, we like to get creative with ingredients and flavors, but we hold fast to settling for nothing less than smooth, creamy, rich results.

View Recipe: Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Fresh Mint Ice Cream

This make-ahead creamy treat makes an ideal dessert for summertime entertaining. Not a mint fan? Substitute toasted coconut for mint.

View Recipe: Fresh Mint Ice Cream

Photo: Oxmoor House

Peach Ice Cream

Ripe peaches at peak season are key to this creamy, refreshing ice cream. It's best eaten the same day it's prepared.

View Recipe: Peach Ice Cream

Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream

Homemade chocolate ice cream and fudgy brownie bites are perfect companions in this recipe combo. Place the ice-cream freezer can and your freezer-safe dish for ripening the ice cream in the freezer while you make the custard. This helps the ice cream ripen quickly. We awarded this rich-tasting treat our Test Kitchens' highest rating.

View Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Banana-Coconut Ice Cream

The added creaminess of two percent milk (as opposed to fat-free or one percent) makes richer ice cream with fewer ice crystals. Cream of coconut is a sweet, thick mixture that's used to make piña coladas; look for it in cans near the drink mixes.

View Recipe: Banana-Coconut Ice Cream

Photo: Randy Mayor

Mango Mascarpone Ice Cream

Mascarpone's silky thickness lends a custardlike texture without the trouble of cooking custard. Except for dissolving sugar in mango nectar, this is a no-cook recipe. Press the puree through a fine sieve for a smooth texture.

View Recipe: Mango Mascarpone Ice Cream

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Honey-Lavender Ricotta Ice Cream

Infusing the syrup with lavender imparts a subtle floral flavor to this ice cream. Look for fresh ricotta cheese at gourmet markets, or you can make your own. It lends the ice cream wonderful richness. Serve with Fresh Raspberry Sauce, and garnish with lavender sprigs.

View Recipe: Honey-Lavender Ricotta Ice Cream

Photo: Jan Smith

Lavender and Toasted Almond Ice Cream with Warm Figs

This delicious ice cream is redolent with lavender, almonds, honey, and figs. Look for dried lavender flowers in natural foods or specialty grocery stores.

View Recipe: Lavender and Toasted Almond Ice Cream with Warm Figs

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

This ice cream has all the flavors of classic Key lime pie—even the crust. We used bottled Key lime juice for convenience. You can also squeeze the juice from fresh Key limes if your supermarket carries them.

View Recipe: Key Lime Pie Ice Cream