Homemade Lemon Ice Cream (So Easy!)
Learn how easy it is to make Lemon Ice Cream; it is made with fresh ingredients and just the right amount of lemon for a bright, citrus flavor. This recipe for lemon ice cream can be sweetened with either sugar or agave nectar, depending on what you prefer
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Making this Lemon Ice Cream
Please forgive me for sharing this recipe for Lemon Ice Cream. I know lots of you are trying to be good. To eat healthy. To ignore the cravings for sweets.
How do I know that? Because that is exactly what I am doing too. And I know you and I have a lot in common.
I have been craving homemade ice cream for the past several weeks. It was easily put off because I didn’t have any cream in the house.
And that’s not to say I didn’t try to remedy the lack of cream.
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Buying the Ingredients for this Lemon Ice Cream
You could say that I “forgot” about said cream by the time I was at the store — I hear that’s what happens when you try to take two children under the age of 6 to the grocery store at 4:30 in the afternoon.
It’s just not a very good idea.
You forget at least a quarter of the items on your list and then you have to skip another quarter because you’ve just got to get the heck out of there before you, along with everyone else in the store, go completely berserk.
Not that I would know anything about that. But other moms will definitely tell you that it’s probably best to just go grocery shopping alone.
But sometimes the cravings are just too strong. And the ice cream won out in the end. After several failed trips to the grocery store.
I’ve been wanting to try this recipe for homemade lemon ice cream out for quite some time and it finally worked out. I had a big bag of lemons in my refrigerator drawer and I finally had the cream.
I learned the tip about xantham gum from Jane, and it definitely helped the homemade ice cream not come out so icy and hard after storing it in the freezer.
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Tools Needed to Make Creamy Lemon Ice Cream
You’ll need a few kitchen tools to make this amazing recipe for fresh lemon ice cream. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before getting started:
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – to measure the ingredients.
- Microplane Zester – to grate the lemon zest.
- Wire Whisk – to beat the eggs.
- Wooden Spoon – for stirring the ice cream base.
- Saucepan – For cooking the ice cream base.
- Ice cream maker – We love this Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. It’s very easy to use and makes big batches.
- Ice cream scoop – Place the ice cream scoop under running warm water to make it easier to scoop out the key lime ice cream.
- Ice cream storage container – Make your homemade ice cream look professional by storing it in a freezer-safe container made especially for homemade ice cream!
What’s in Lemon Ice Cream
This easy ice cream recipe calls for a few simple ingredients. For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make this homemade ice cream, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Lemon Zest
- Sugar or Agave Nectar
- Egg Yolks
- Salt
- Xantham Gum
- Whole Milk
- Heavy Cream
- Half and Half
How to Make Homemade Lemon Ice Cream
This lemon ice cream recipe comes together quickly, but allow for the ice cream to freeze before serving.
To make this homemade ice cream, first combine the lemon zest, juice, and sugar in a bowl and refrigerate to help the flavors come together.
Then, heat the milk and beaten eggs in a saucepan until the mixture thickens and can coat the back of a spoon.
Remove the milk mixture from the heat and stir in the xantham gum. Stir in the half and half and cream, then refrigerate for a few hours until chilled.
Add the lemon juice mixture to the chilled cream mixture and stir to combine. Pour into your ice cream maker and churn according to package instructions.
The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
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Tips for Making the Best Lemon Ice Cream
- This homemade ice cream recipe uses heavy cream, half and half, and whole milk to get that extra creamy texture. Don’t try to substitute either ingredient for something lower in fat.
- Make sure you have put the insert for your ice cream maker in the freezer at least 12 hours prior to churning the ice cream, or longer if your manufacturer’s user manual instruct to do so. You need to make sure it is frozen solid so the ice cream base freezes as it churns.
- You’ll achieve the smoothest, creamiest ice cream by churning an already chilled base, so I recommend that you chill the ice cream mixture for at least a few hours before you churn it.
The Best Toppings for Lemon Ice Cream
Lemon ice cream may seem difficult to dress up, but there are actually so many ice cream toppings that pair well with lemon!
Some of my favorite ice cream toppings to enjoy on this homemade ice cream are:
- Hot Fudge Sauce (something rich and dark to offset the tangy lemon)
- Strawberry Sauce
- Blueberry Sauce
- Fresh Berries
- Toasted Coconut
- Lemon Twists
- Fresh Basil (yes, really!)
Lemon Ice Cream FAQs
Got questions about how to make lemon ice cream? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.
Can I Use Meyer Lemons?
Yes! Meyer Lemons would work great in place of regular fresh lemons.
Do I Have to Use an Ice Cream Maker?
Don’t own an ice-cream maker? No worries — you can still make this creamy lemon ice cream!
I just happen to own an ice cream maker, so I use it when making ice cream, but you can make a no churn lemon ice cream, too.
How to Make Lemon Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Machine
- If NOT using an ice cream maker, place the lemon ice cream base in a freezer safe container with plenty of room for stirring.
- Then, transfer the container with the ice cream base in it to the freezer and freeze for about 2 hours.
- After 2 hours, remove the pan from the freezer and stir it to break up any frozen chunks. Make sure you scrape along the edges of the pan as well.
- Return to the freezer and freeze for 30-40 minutes.
- Repeat the stirring and freezing until the mixture is thick and frozen.
Try this Lemon Ice Cream at Home!
Next time you’re looking for a great recipe for creamy ice cream, give this Homemade Lemon Ice Cream recipe a try!
Did you love the fresh lemon flavor? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this great recipe.
On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of this delicious ice cream!
More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes
This Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream is swirled with pumpkin caramel and crunchy gingersnaps. Bonus: it’s a no-churn ice cream!
I don’t know a single person who can resist this No-Churn Brownie Ice Cream with Vanilla Bourbon Caramel.
Switch things up with this Vanilla Frozen Yogurt with Balsamic Roasted Strawberry and Rhubarb. The ultimate spring ice cream!
No one will guess that this Pistachio Ice Cream is actually dairy-free.
If you love lemon, give this Lemon Basil Ice Cream a try.
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What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Lemon Ice Cream
This Homemade Lemon Ice Cream is made with fresh ingredients and just the right amount of lemon for a bright, citrus flavor.
Ingredients
- Finely grated zest of 3 lemons
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup sugar or 2/3 cup agave nectar
- 4 egg yolks
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon xantham gum
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Instructions
- Combine the lemon zest, juice, and sugar in a non-reactive bowl. Refrigerate for an hour to blend flavors.
- Slightly beat the egg yolks in a large bowl. Pour milk into a heavy saucepan and heat to a bare boil.
- Pour the milk into the bowl with the eggs, whisking while you pour.
- Return the milk and egg mixture to the saucepan. Heat gently, don't boil, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and whisk the the xantham gum.
- Stir in the half and half and heavy cream. Cool, at least to room temperature, but it's definitely best if you chill in the fridge for at least a few hours.
- Combine the milk, egg, cream mixture with the lemon mixture. Mix well.
- Proceed with your ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer instructions.
Notes
adapted from Tartelette
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 475Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 201mgSodium: 79mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 1gSugar: 46gProtein: 6g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Beth says
Yum! I wanted a lemon ice cream, not a lemon ice and this delivers big time. Not too sweet either. Very lemony and very good. I didn’t have Xanthum Gum, but I’ll get that for next time as I need it anyway to expand my gluten free repertoire when baking for others.
Thank you!
Diane says
Love the dishes…do you have a source?
Katie says
I think they are from Crate and Barrel.
Sues says
Yum!! I saw xantham gum at Whole Foods the other day and was wondering what I would use it for. Now I know! 🙂
Katie says
I never even knew what it was before but it always bugged me when I made homemade ice cream and it turned out hard and icy after freezing in the freezer. It was never as good as it was the first day…no more problems like that! Xantham Gum is like cornstarch on steroids…
TraceyJoy76 says
wondering if you could use plain soy or almond milk instead of the heavy cream and half and half. I have never heard of lemon ice cream. This sounds just wonderfully delightful. It makes you smile just saying lemon ice cream = )
Katie says
Hi Tracey – unfortunately I do not know the answer to that question. In this post there is a recipe linked for a coconut milk ice cream. You could probably substitute coconut milk for the cream and then maybe the almond milk for the regular milk, but I don’t think I would personally try using almond milk for the whole recipe. It doesn’t seem like it would be thick/creamy enough. But do let me know if you play around with this and how it turns out.
Prerna@IndianSimmer says
Hey Katie,
Just got directed to your blog from Robyn’s and I’m so glad to discover it. Love your space and so looking forward to learning something new from you!
Jan says
This looks great. In an effort to minimize the number of ingredients, since half and half is half milk half cream, couldn’t you just use 1/4 cup more of each and not bother with the half and half?
Katie says
Jan, I’m sure you could. For me it was just because I needed some of the cream for another recipe and didn’t have quite enough for this and didn’t want to use all the kids’ milk either. But that’s how I made it and it tasted great.
vanessa says
no apologies!! thank you so much for sharing this! i’ve been craving a good batch of homemade ice cream as the weather starts to turn from summer to fall – and i’ve been keeping lemons in my kitchen and need more ways to use them before they go bad. can’t wait to try this!! 🙂
Lynda says
I love lemon, and this ice cream sounds intensely lemony and heavenly. I am so happy you gave in to your cravings.
Lynn says
This looks so good. I am going to have to try the xanthan gum trick. It is a staple in my kitchen since we have some in our family that eat gluten free.
Jennifer Sikora says
Lemon and Ice cream sound awesome together! Visiting you from Mingle Monday. Your blog is absolutely gorgeous! Can’t wait to read more.
Visit me at http://www.jennifersikora.com
Blessings,
Jennifer
Cookin' Canuck says
What a refreshing treat, Katie! Sometimes it is just better to give into the cravings. When my kids first started going to school, one of the things I reveled in was going to the grocery store…ALONE.
Katie says
Now that Logan is in kindergarten 4 days full day, 1 day half day and Madeline just started preschool 2 days a week I am definitely doing my errands alone. It is just way too crazy with both kids!
Kristen says
Looks delicious, Katie!
Picture Me Cooking says
Found you from Mingle Monday – That ice cream looks amazing! I am a fool for anything lemon!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
That sounds incredibly refreshing! I don’t think I’ve ever had lemon ice cream. Would love to try.
Robyn says
I’m so glad you joined in on the Mingle Monday fun this week. And lemon ice cream – one of my favorites!
Have a great week!