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Lemon Ice Cream with a Blackberry Swirl ~ bright, tart lemon ice cream with a sweet blackberry swirl – this is a pretty terrific bowl of deliciousness!
Fresh picked, juicy blackberries are a great match for fresh lemon juice – why didn’t I think of this a long time ago?!
I just love summer fruits and of course I love ice cream so this was a natural combination. And no – haha – I didn’t eat the whole bowl by myself … but I wanted to!
Rich homemade ice cream with a fresh blackberry swirl
Ingredients
For the lemon ice cream:
- 2 cups whole milk plus 2 tablespoons, divided
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch plus 1 teaspoon
- a pinch of fine sea salt
- 2 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 8 ounces heavy whipping cream
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- zest of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
For the blackberry swirl:
- 3 cups blackberries fresh or frozen
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
To prepare the blackberry sauce:
- Combine the blackberries, granulated sugar and lemon juice in a medium heavy bottom saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until the blackberries break down. Smash the berries with a large spoon while cooking. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce reduces a little.
- While the berries are cooking, combine the cornstarch and water and stir until smooth. Add the cornstarch slurry to the blackberries and cook until thickened and bubbly. Remove from the heat and pour through a fine mesh sieve set over a glass bowl. Press the berries in the sieve with the back of a large spoon to get all the juice. Discard seeds and pulp. Cover the sauce and refrigerate until cold and ready to add to the ice cream.
To make the lemon ice cream:
- In a medium heavy bottom saucepan, combine the lemon zest and sugar with 2 cups of milk, a pinch of sea salt and the corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 3 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and cover with a lid. Steep for 30 minutes.
- Combine the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of milk and stir until smooth. Set aside.
- Set the saucepan back on the heat and warm on medium-high. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook until slightly thickened, about 1 minute.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in the cream cheese and lemon juice.
- Set a large clean bowl in an ice bath. Add the heavy cream to the bowl and place a fine mesh sieve on top. Pour the warm ice cream base through the sieve into the bowl with the heavy cream. Discard any lemon zest. Whisk the ice cream every five minutes or so until cooled, about 30 minutes.
- Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight then process according to the manufacturer directions for your ice cream maker.
- Spoon about ⅓ of the lemon ice cream into an airtight container. Drizzle ⅓ of the blackberry sauce on top. Repeat two more times. Freeze until set.
Recipe Notes
The base ingredients are adapted from Jenis Splendid Ice Creams at Home.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
Nutrition
Calories: 1697kcal | Carbohydrates: 239g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 80g | Saturated Fat: 49g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 248mg | Sodium: 308mg | Potassium: 1194mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 214g | Vitamin A: 3876IU | Vitamin C: 77mg | Calcium: 628mg | Iron: 2mg
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Picking blackberries is a summer tradition in our family. These juicy little nuggets usually end up in a Blackberry Tart, Blackberry Frozen Yogurt, or my Mom’s Blackberry Cobbler! I really want to try these Blackberry Pie Bars from Taste and Tell, and these Blackberry Cheesecake Brownies from Oh Sweet Basil too!
It’s been quiet lately … I think everybody’s on vacation! Have you taken a break this summer? Please share – I always love to hear about adventures. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Tricia
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
This ice cream looks delicious!! I haven’t made ice cream in FOREVER! Thanks for the reminder.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks for stopping by Cathleen – hope you are all doing great!
cheri says
This is summer ice cream at it’s best, love it!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Cheri 🙂 Happy weekend to you!
Susan says
What a beautiful bowl of ice cream, Tricia! I know I’d love it with the lemon and berry mix. Would you believe I still haven’t taken my ice cream maker off the shelf this summer? I agree it has been quiet in blogland recently. I think people are on vacation or just savoring every last minute of summer weather before we head back into fall and you-know-what. I know I am!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Susan – Hope you get that ice cream maker out soon! Summer feels more like a picnic with homemade ice cream.
Kennedy Cole| KCole's Creative Corner says
YUM! I really love the combination of blackberry and lemon! It makes for a beautiful presentation, and I know that photo shoots with melty items on hot summer days, are impossibly hard. Trust me, I know from experience 😉 But, you’re pictures turned out beyond wonderful! I will certainly be making these ASAP! 😀
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Kennedy! Hope you have a wonderful week 🙂
Beth says
I’m with you – this sounds like a perfect combination for ice cream, and I’d be tempted to eat the whole bowl as well! What a lovely summertime dessert.
Tricia Buice says
Ice cream makes a great summer dinner Beth – not that I know from experience or anything 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
handmade by amalia says
This is a bit harsh, Tricia. I’m sitting here, looking at this amazing ice cream, and there is absolutely nothing delicious in the house. Send a friend a virtual scoop.
Amalia
xo
Tricia Buice says
Oh I am so sorry!~ I really wish I could because I would send you a big scoop! Hope you have a terrific week 🙂
Monique says
Gorgeous swirls..I bet it tatses divine!
I have been remiss and not made ice cream once this summer….
Tricia Buice says
Hi Monique – everything you make looks wonderful! Summer is not over yet – hope your ice cream turns out great 🙂
2 Sisters Recipes... by Anna and Liz says
Boy Tricia – it’s so funny! I too made this ice cream 2 weeks ago and even added a few fresh strawberries and it was divine! Yours too looks heavenly! We have been MIA for a while, just returned from Punta Cana with my daughter ( Lizzy) and my sister Liz. It was a mother-and-daughter trip, a high school graduation trip with friends ( can’t believe my baby is going to college) and since my sister doesn’t have any kids, she always comes too. It was so much fun! Then we’re off to NY again for our grandson’s Baptism. Life is so busy, as you can imagine and I am trying to catch up with some blogging in between everything. Have a great weekend! xo Anna
Tricia Buice says
Wow Anna what a wonderful trip! Congratulations on your daughters graduation – how time flies. Life seems so busy and I just can’t figure out why – haha! Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by – I miss you and your wonderful fresh, healthy recipes!
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
This is gorgeous! I love blackberries and this ice cream feels like summer. Would happily gobble up that bowl in your photo…..shhhh. We have taken a few little trips this summer with a bigger adventure coming up.
Tricia Buice says
Can’t wait to hear about your big adventure coming up! I love travel and adventures and have enjoyed your posts about Rocky Mountain National Park – one of my personal favorites 🙂 Enjoy!
Mandy says
I want to vacation in your kitchen – just a week or two to enjoy all of your magnificent recipes.
Have a super weekend Tricia.
🙂 Mandy xo
Tricia Buice says
Aww that is so sweet Mandy – come on over!
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
What I would give for a scoop of that right now! I’d even skip dinner! I everything you make so gorgeous?
Tricia Buice says
Ice cream makes a fine dinner Abbe – we sure think a lot alike! Have a great weekend and thank you!!!
Chris Scheuer says
I would be super happy to share that bowl with you Tricia. I love the beautiful swirls!
Tricia Buice says
Come on over Chris – I’ll give you a bowl of your own – and a spoon! Have a great weekend.
Becky Green says
Be Still My Heart!!!!! There is NOTHING BETTER than Lemon Ice Cream, & now Blackberries added to it? Sigh! HEAVENLY!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😉 Saving this one, Tricia!!!! 😉
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Becky – you are the sweetest!
Larry says
Looks and sounds delicious Tricia
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Larry!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Oh now you’ve gone and done it, I’ll be daydreaming about this all day – I love the mix of ingredients in the recipe, I’ve been making super simple ice creams lately, and I think it’s time to step up my game!
Tricia Buice says
I love your ice creams – all of them. The colors, the flavors, the texture – all beautiful! I think you would like this 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Totally irresistible! I love that beautiful blackberry swirl.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks so much Angie!
Cali @ Cali's Cuisine says
Love the blackberry swirl with the lemon ice cream. My husband isn’t keen on ice cream, he is more of a sorbet guy but I think this lemon ice cream would be right up his alley!
We spent time at Pismo Beach this summer. I have a fair complexion so the sun and I have a mutual disrespect for each other, but my family is olive-skinned and therefore sun-loving. Sun aside, the beach makes for a very relaxing vacation!
Tricia Buice says
Relaxing beach vacation sounds wonderful! I don’t lay out in the sun anymore – but enjoy behind under a palm tree in the shade!
Monica says
Now that is my size portion for ice cream, Tricia! : ) Funny enough, I woke up today with the urge to make a batch of fudge ripple ice cream (of course, I’m always thinking chocolate…). Ironically but maybe not surprisingly, I was going through my little short workout routine as I thought of this! I’m so happy to see your summery version. The blackberry swirl is so gorgeous. We have some trips planned for August – can’t wait!
Tricia Buice says
Haha Monica! Fudge Ripple sounds great – chocolate is always my go-to, gotta have flavor 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend and I bet you are looking forward to vacation in August!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
That is a beautiful bowl of ice cream and I love the flavour combination! I’m also a fan of Jeni’s ice cream base anytime 🙂
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Jennifer 🙂 I love your recent ice cream post – coffee rules!