Name: Homemade Peach Ice Cream Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 6 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups fresh peaches (peeled and diced); 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 cup whole milk; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

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If there’s one dessert that truly captures the taste of summer, it’s Homemade Peach Ice Cream. Creamy, sweet, and bursting with the sunny flavor of fresh peaches, it’s a treat that feels both nostalgic and luxurious. Whether you’re celebrating the season’s freshest fruit or just craving something cool and delightful, this recipe delivers everything you love about homemade ice cream with the irresistible charm of ripe, juicy peaches in every bite.

Homemade Peach Ice Cream Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Homemade Peach Ice Cream lies in its simplicity. Every ingredient plays a key role, from the peaches that bring all that summer flavor to the cream that gives it that luscious, dreamy texture. Here’s what you’ll need and why each item matters:

Fresh Peaches: The heart of the recipe; their sweetness and juiciness define the ice cream’s flavor. Choose ripe peaches for best results.
Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and balances the sweetness, keeping the peaches vibrant and fresh.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens both the fruit and the cream base while helping keep the ice cream smooth.
Heavy Cream: The secret to ultra-creamy, rich texture—don’t skimp on this!
Whole Milk: Balances out the richness so the ice cream isn’t too heavy but still velvety.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the peach flavor with a subtle warmth and rounds out the overall taste.
Pinch of Salt: Just a little brings out all the flavors and keeps the sweetness from tasting flat.

How to Make Homemade Peach Ice Cream

Step 1: Macerate the Peaches

Start by combining your diced peaches, a splash of lemon juice, and a quarter cup of sugar in a medium bowl. Let them sit together for about 30 minutes—this softens the peaches, draws out their juices, and transforms them into a sweet, fragrant mix that’s perfect for your ice cream base. Afterward, you can gently mash them with a fork if you like a chunky texture, or blend them up for a silky-smooth finish. Both ways are delicious, so go with your favorite style!

Step 2: Mix the Cream Base

In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining sugar, heavy cream, whole milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Keep whisking until the sugar dissolves completely; this ensures your ice cream will churn up perfectly smooth. The liquid base should already smell heavenly from the vanilla and richness of the cream.

Step 3: Combine Peaches and Cream Mixture

Pour all those juicy, macerated peaches (with every last drop of their syrupy juice) into the creamy base. Stir everything together gently—this is where the magic starts as peach flavor infuses every bit of your mixture. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Cold base means your ice cream will churn up faster and fluffier!

Step 4: Churn Into Ice Cream

Once your mixture is thoroughly chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker and let the machine work its wonders. Depending on your model, this usually takes 20 to 25 minutes. The aroma of Homemade Peach Ice Cream as it churns might just test your patience, so have a spoon ready for taste-testing!

Step 5: Freeze Until Firm

Transfer your soft, freshly churned ice cream into a lidded container, smoothing the top with a spatula. For a classic scoopable texture, let it freeze for at least 4 hours until firm. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can stir in extra bits of peach during the last minutes of churning for little bursts of fresh fruit in every bite.

How to Serve Homemade Peach Ice Cream

Garnishes

Dress up each scoop with fresh peach slices, a sprig of mint, or even a dusting of chopped pistachios for color and crunch. A drizzle of honey or a scatter of toasted coconut flakes can make your Homemade Peach Ice Cream feel extra special, especially for gatherings.

Side Dishes

This ice cream is a delight on its own, but it’s also right at home next to buttery shortbread cookies, crisp waffle cones, or a slice of warm pound cake. For a fun twist, spoon it atop grilled stone fruits or serve with a handful of summer berries for contrast and color.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re entertaining, try serving your Homemade Peach Ice Cream in hollowed-out peach halves, pretty glass parfait cups, or even sandwiched between soft sugar cookies for an ice cream sandwich with Southern flair. Little touches like edible flowers or colored sprinkles will make your dessert table unforgettable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

For any leftover Homemade Peach Ice Cream, keep it in an airtight container in the coldest part of your freezer. Press a piece of wax paper directly onto the surface before closing the lid to prevent ice crystals from forming, and always use a clean scoop!

Freezing

This ice cream holds up beautifully for up to two weeks when properly stored, but its fresh flavor truly shines in the first few days. If you like, you can make the base up to a day ahead to fit your schedule, then churn it the day you plan to serve.

Reheating

While ice cream doesn’t need reheating, if your Homemade Peach Ice Cream has been in the freezer a while and seems a bit too firm for easy scooping, just let it sit on the counter for about 10 minutes to soften up perfectly.

FAQs

Can I make Homemade Peach Ice Cream without an ice cream maker?

Absolutely! After mixing the base and peaches, pour it into a freezer-safe container, freeze for 45 minutes, then whisk it well. Repeat every 30 minutes for 2–3 hours to break up ice crystals—this takes more effort but produces a deliciously creamy treat.

What if I want to use frozen peaches?

If fresh peaches aren’t in season, thaw and drain frozen peaches thoroughly before macerating them with sugar and lemon juice. The flavor will still be lovely, though nothing tops the taste of truly ripe, in-season peaches.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can swap in full-fat coconut milk and a rich nondairy cream for the heavy cream and milk. Keep in mind that the taste and texture will be a little different, but you’ll still get that wonderful peach flavor!

What’s the best sugar substitute for a lighter version?

Stevia or a monk fruit blend can both work if you’re looking to reduce sugar, though the texture of the ice cream may be slightly icier. Taste and adjust; sometimes a little extra vanilla extract can help bring out the peach sweetness naturally.

How do I get the best peach flavor in my ice cream?

Use the ripest peaches you can find, and for even more peachiness, try stirring in finely chopped fresh peaches during the last few minutes of churning. This gives pops of fruity flavor and a gorgeous color to your Homemade Peach Ice Cream.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a dessert that tastes like pure sunshine, Homemade Peach Ice Cream is the answer. Gather your peaches, invite someone special to share a scoop, and get ready for a flavor experience that’s as warm as a summer hug. Let this recipe become your new seasonal obsession—you really won’t regret it!

Homemade Peach Ice Cream Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the creamy sweetness of homemade peach ice cream, bursting with the fresh flavors of ripe peaches. This delightful treat is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.

Ingredients

Scale

Fresh Peach Mixture:

3 cups fresh peaches (peeled and diced)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Ice Cream Base:

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

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Instructions

Prepare Peach Mixture: Combine diced peaches, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup sugar. Let sit for 30 minutes, then mash slightly.
Make Ice Cream Base: Whisk together heavy cream, milk, 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until sugar dissolves. Stir in mashed peaches.
Chill Mixture: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Churn Ice Cream: Pour mixture into ice cream maker and churn for 20-25 minutes.
Freeze: Transfer to a container and freeze for at least 4 hours.
Serve: Enjoy cold with fresh peach slices.