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4.88 from 8 votes

Lemon Curd Ice Cream

A bright and creamy lemon ice cream with a thick swirl of tangy lemon curd.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Freezing and refrigeration1 day
Total Time1 day 45 minutes
Course: Dessert, Frozen dessert, Ice Cream
Cuisine: American
Keyword: ice cream, lemon
Servings: 1 quart
Calories: 2731kcal
Author: Tricia

Equipment

  • Ice cream maker

Ingredients

  • cup granulated sugar (135g)
  • zest of 2 lemons
  • 2 cups whole milk, plus 2 tablespoons, divided (17½ oz or 480 ml)
  • a pinch of fine sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (cut into small chunks)
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, strained of seeds and pulp (60g)
  • 8 ounces heavy whipping cream (1 cup)
  • 1 cup lemon curd

Instructions

  • Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from 2 lemons. You’ll want large strips of zest, with no white pith.
  • In a medium heavy bottom saucepan, combine the lemon zest and sugar with 2 cups of milk, sea salt and corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 3 minutes stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and cover with a lid. Steep for 30 minutes.
  • Combine the cornstarch with the remaining 2 tablespoons of milk. Stir until smooth and set aside.
  • Set the saucepan back on the stove top 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 adding one piece at a time. Whisk until melted then add lemon juice. Whisk until blended.
  • Set a large clean bowl in an ice bath. Add the heavy cream to the clean bowl and place a fine mesh sieve over the bowl. Pour the warm ice cream base through the sieve into the bowl with the heavy cream. Discard lemon zest. Whisk the ice cream every five minutes or so, or until cooled, about 30 minutes.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Process according to the manufacturer’s directions for your ice cream maker.
  • Spoon about ⅓ of the lemon ice cream into an airtight container. Dollop ⅓ of the lemon curd in spoonfuls on top. Repeat with half the remaining ice cream and half of the remaining curd. Make a third layer, using all the ice cream base and curd. Swirl the curd into the ice cream using a table knife. Cover and freeze until set. This can take up to 8 hours for the best consistency.

Notes

  • Base ice cream adapted Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home cookbook
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: 2731kcal | Carbohydrates: 351g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 140g | Saturated Fat: 86g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 33g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 422mg | Sodium: 1186mg | Potassium: 959mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 331g | Vitamin A: 4890IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 765mg | Iron: 1mg