Lykkers, there’s nothing quite like homemade ice cream, especially when it’s strawberry-flavored! Making your own strawberry ice cream not only allows you to enjoy the freshest ingredients, but it also brings the joy of crafting a delicious treat right in your kitchen.

In this article, we’ll walk you through a detailed, step-by-step guide to making the creamiest, most flavorful strawberry ice cream from scratch. Grab your ingredients, and let’s dive in!

What You’ll Need: The Ingredients

Before we get started with the steps, let’s first gather the necessary ingredients for this delightful homemade strawberry ice cream. Here’s what you’ll need:

Fresh Strawberries – 500 grams (about 2 cups of chopped strawberries)

Granulated Sugar – 200 grams (about 1 cup)

Heavy Cream – 500 milliliters (2 cups)

Whole Milk – 250 milliliters (1 cup)

Egg Yolks – 4 large egg yolks

Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon

Lemon Juice – 1 tablespoon (optional, to enhance the flavor of the strawberries)

Salt – a pinch (to balance the sweetness)

With these ingredients, you’ll have enough to make about 1 liter (or 4 cups) of homemade strawberry ice cream. Now that we’ve got everything, let’s begin!

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

Start by washing the fresh strawberries thoroughly. Remove the stems and hulls, then chop them into small pieces. Once chopped, place the strawberries in a bowl and sprinkle 50 grams (about 1/4 cup) of the sugar over them. Gently mix and let the strawberries sit for about 30 minutes to release their juices. You can also add the lemon juice at this stage, which helps to bring out the strawberries' natural sweetness and acidity.

After 30 minutes, mash the strawberries with a fork or potato masher until they become a chunky puree. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend them in a food processor.

Step 2: Make the Custard Base

While the strawberries are resting, it’s time to prepare the custard base. In a saucepan, combine the whole milk and heavy cream. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to steam. Do not let it boil.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining 150 grams (about 3/4 cup) of sugar until the mixture becomes pale and thick. Once the milk and cream are heated, slowly pour a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly. This is called tempering the eggs and helps prevent them from scrambling. Gradually add the rest of the hot milk mixture to the yolks, whisking continuously.

Now, return the combined mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Cook until the custard thickens and coats the back of the spoon, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to let it boil.

Step 3: Combine the Strawberry Puree and Custard

Once the custard base has thickened, remove it from the heat. Stir in the mashed strawberry mixture and vanilla extract. For an extra smooth texture, you can strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve to remove any bits of strawberry pulp. This step is optional but will give your ice cream a silky consistency.

Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight. The cooler the mixture, the better it will churn.

Step 4: Churn the Ice Cream

After chilling the mixture, it’s time to churn it into ice cream! If you have an ice cream maker, pour the cooled custard into the machine and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes, and you should notice the mixture thickening as it churns.

If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can pour the mixture into a shallow dish and freeze it. Every 30 minutes, take the dish out and stir vigorously with a fork to break up any ice crystals. Repeat this process until the ice cream reaches the desired consistency, usually after 3-4 hours.

Step 5: Freeze and Enjoy!

Once your ice cream has finished churning or freezing, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the freezer for an additional 2-3 hours to firm up. When it’s ready, scoop it into bowls or cones and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

You now have a batch of homemade strawberry ice cream that’s rich, creamy, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. Whether enjoyed as a sweet treat on a hot day or as a delightful dessert after a meal, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

A Delicious Dessert You Can Be Proud Of

Lykkers, making your own strawberry ice cream at home is an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only do you get to enjoy a healthier, fresher version of the classic dessert, but you also get to experiment with flavors and create something truly special. We hope you enjoy making and eating your homemade strawberry ice cream. It’s a timeless treat that never goes out of style!

Now that you know how to make it, why not try it out today? Enjoy!