Print

Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe

4.7 from 124 reviews

This Honey Lavender Ice Cream recipe offers a creamy, floral treat perfect for those who love a fragrant twist on classic homemade ice cream. Utilizing a custard base infused with dried culinary lavender and naturally sweetened with honey, this dessert is smooth, rich, and delightfully aromatic.

Ingredients

Scale

Ice Cream Base

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp dried culinary lavender
  • Pinch of salt

Custard

  • 5 large egg yolks

Instructions

  1. Infuse lavender mixture: In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, honey, dried culinary lavender, and a pinch of salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches just simmering, being careful not to boil.
  2. Steep and strain: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the lavender to steep in the warm mixture for 15 minutes to fully release its floral flavor. After steeping, strain the mixture to remove the lavender buds, returning a smooth liquid.
  3. Prepare egg yolks: In a separate bowl, whisk the five large egg yolks until smooth. Gradually pour the warm lavender milk mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly to temper the eggs and prevent curdling.
  4. Cook custard: Return the combined mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This ensures the ice cream base is rich and creamy.
  5. Chill custard: Strain the custard once more to catch any cooked egg bits and then refrigerate it until completely chilled, approximately 2 hours. Proper chilling is crucial for the best churning results.
  6. Churn ice cream: Pour the cold custard into your ice cream maker and churn following the manufacturer’s instructions. This process aerates the mixture and gives it a smooth texture.
  7. Freeze until firm: Transfer the churned ice cream into an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 hours, allowing it to fully set and develop the perfect scoopable consistency.

Notes

  • Use culinary-grade dried lavender specifically intended for cooking to avoid bitterness or harsh flavors.
  • Tempering the egg yolks prevents them from scrambling when mixed with the hot milk mixture.
  • Adjust honey amount based on your sweetness preference; adding more results in a sweeter ice cream.
  • Ensure the custard is well chilled before churning to improve texture and reduce ice crystal formation.
  • If an ice cream maker is not available, pour the mixture into a shallow container and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes until firm.

Keywords: honey lavender ice cream, homemade ice cream, floral ice cream, custard ice cream, lavender dessert