Irresistible No-Churn Peach Ice Cream: Your Ultimate Guide to Homemade Summer Bliss
As peach season graces us with its sweet bounty, there’s no better way to celebrate than by crafting a batch of homemade peach ice cream. This incredibly delicious and simple no-churn peach ice cream recipe is destined to become your go-to summer treat, effortlessly satisfying any sweet tooth without the need for an expensive ice cream maker or a trip to the store. Imagine creating a creamy, fruity dessert with just a few common ingredients and easy-to-follow steps – it’s a delightful activity the whole family can enjoy. Forget chasing the ice cream truck; your kitchen is about to become the ultimate dessert destination!
Homemade No-Churn Peach Ice Cream Recipe
One of the most appealing aspects of this peach ice cream recipe, apart from its luscious, juicy peach flavor, is that it’s a completely no-churn method. This means you won’t need any bulky, expensive ice cream machines taking up precious counter space, nor will you have to endure the arm workout of hand-cranking. The beauty of no-churn lies in its simplicity and accessibility, making homemade ice cream a reality for everyone. Beyond the ease, this recipe offers countless ways to customize your peach ice cream and provides significant savings by allowing you to make your own delightful frozen treat all summer long, rather than constantly buying it from the grocery store.
Crafting this sweet peaches and cream delight requires only five basic ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your pantry. You’ll need fresh peaches (or a suitable alternative), heavy whipping cream, pure vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and a touch of cinnamon powder. With these simple components, you can create a truly scrumptious dessert that will be frozen and ready to enjoy in time for any occasion. The most challenging part of making this homemade peach ice cream is simply exercising the patience required to let it freeze to perfection.
More Peach Recipes You Will Love:
- Peach Lemonade
- Simple Peach Cobbler
- Instant Pot Peach Cobbler
- Peach Danish
Choosing the Best Peaches for Your Homemade Ice Cream
For the most vibrant flavor and ideal texture in your homemade peach ice cream, fresh, ripe peaches are highly recommended whenever possible. When selecting fresh peaches, look for ones that are soft to the touch and emit a sweet, fragrant aroma. These characteristics indicate that the fruit is at its peak sweetness and juiciness, which is crucial for creating a flavorful peach puree. If your peaches aren’t quite ready, a simple trick is to place them in a brown paper bag and leave them on the counter for a day or two. This method traps the ethylene gas produced by the peaches, accelerating the ripening process, and they’ll be perfectly soft and fragrant in no time.
However, this versatile no-churn peach ice cream recipe also performs beautifully with canned or frozen peaches. This means you can indulge in this delightful dessert even when fresh peaches are out of season. When using canned peaches, opt for those packed in juice rather than heavy syrup, and be sure to drain them thoroughly before pureeing. For frozen peaches, there’s no need to thaw them completely before blending; just let them soften slightly. Using these alternatives makes this a year-round treat, ensuring you can enjoy homemade peach ice cream whenever the craving strikes.
Should You Peel Peaches for Ice Cream? And How to Do It Easily
For the smoothest, most luxurious texture in your homemade peach ice cream, peeling fresh peaches is generally recommended. Peach skins, while edible, can sometimes create a slightly chewy or fibrous texture in the frozen dessert, which some prefer to avoid. If you desire an absolutely silky-smooth ice cream, taking the time to peel your peaches will yield the best results.
That being said, leaving the peels on is entirely a matter of personal preference. If you enjoy a more rustic texture or don’t mind tiny bits of peel in your ice cream, feel free to skip this step. Some even appreciate the slight tang and visual appeal the peels can add. However, if you opt to peel, there’s a quick and easy method that makes the process almost effortless: blanching. Simply bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully drop your peaches into the boiling water for approximately 45 seconds to 1 minute. This brief bath loosens the skins without cooking the fruit.
After the blanching time is up, immediately remove the peaches from the boiling water and plunge them into an ice bath (a bowl of ice water). This sudden temperature change halts the cooking process and causes the skins to shrivel and separate from the flesh, making them incredibly easy to peel right off, often with just your fingers, no knife or vegetable peeler needed! This method ensures you get perfectly peeled peaches with minimal fuss, ready for your delicious ice cream.
How to Make No-Churn Peach Ice Cream: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Make the Peach Puree
The foundation of this delectable dessert is a rich and flavorful peach puree. Regardless of whether you’re using fresh, canned, or frozen peaches, the process begins with pureeing them. For canned or frozen peaches (which are often softer), simply place them directly into a blender or food processor and blend until you achieve a smooth consistency. If using frozen peaches, allow them to thaw slightly for easier blending.
If you’re using fresh peaches, once they are peeled (using the blanching method described above), cut the fruit away from the pit and chop them roughly before adding them to your food processor or blender. Blend until the peaches form a smooth puree. For those who love extra texture and a burst of intense peach flavor in every bite, you can set aside a portion of finely diced peach chunks to fold into the cream mixture later, in addition to the smooth puree. This adds a wonderful contrast to the creamy base.
Once your peach puree is ready, transfer it to a saucepan. Add the granulated sugar, keeping in mind that the exact amount of sugar might need to be adjusted based on the natural sweetness of your peaches. If your peaches are exceptionally sweet, you might use slightly less sugar. Begin to simmer this mixture over a low heat for about 20 minutes. The simmering time can vary depending on how juicy your peaches are; juicier peaches will require a longer simmer to reduce. The goal is to cook the puree down until it has a slightly thicker consistency, similar to a runny peach preserve, and has reduced by about half, concentrating its flavor. This step is vital for a robust peach flavor in your ice cream.
After the puree has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Stir in the cinnamon powder and a generous splash of pure vanilla extract, mixing well to combine these warm, aromatic flavors. Once combined, allow the puree to cool completely, preferably in the refrigerator. For optimal results in this no-churn recipe, it is essential that all ingredients, especially the peach puree and heavy cream, are thoroughly chilled before they are combined. This helps create the lightest, fluffiest ice cream base.
Step 2: Make the Whipped Cream Base
While your peach puree is chilling to perfection, you can begin preparing the whipped cream, which forms the airy, rich base of this no-churn ice cream. For detailed instructions on achieving perfectly whipped cream, you can refer to my whipped cream recipe. However, here are the key steps and a crucial pro-tip:
Pro-tip: For the best and quickest results, make sure your mixing bowl and whisk (or the bowl and paddle attachment of your stand mixer) are thoroughly chilled beforehand. Placing them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes or in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes will help the heavy cream whip up more quickly and evenly, ensuring it stays as cold as possible throughout the process. This cold environment promotes better aeration and prevents the cream from deflating.
Pour your cold heavy cream and the remaining granulated sugar into the chilled bowl. Begin whipping them together on medium-high speed. Continue whipping until soft peaks are formed. You’ll know the soft peak stage has been reached when you lift your whisk or beaters out of the bowl, and the cream holds its shape just enough that the peak gently slumps over. Avoid over-whipping, as this can lead to a grainy texture. The goal is light, airy, and stable whipped cream.
Step 3: Combine Puree with Cream and Freeze
Once your heavy cream is beautifully whipped to soft peaks and your peach puree is completely chilled, it’s time to bring the magic together! This step requires a gentle touch to maintain the airiness of the whipped cream, which is essential for a light and creamy no-churn ice cream.
Carefully fold the chilled peach puree into the whipped cream. Use a spatula and a gentle, lifting motion, turning the mixture over itself rather than stirring vigorously. The goal is to incorporate the puree thoroughly without deflating the whipped cream too much. If you reserved any small peach chunks, gently fold them in now for an added textural dimension and burst of fresh peach flavor.
Once everything is combined into a uniform, pale orange mixture, it’s time for the final, and perhaps most challenging, step: waiting for it to freeze. Pour your delicious peach ice cream mixture into freezer-safe containers. You can use large containers or individual popsicle molds for fun frozen treats. Cover the containers tightly. For optimal results and to prevent the formation of ice crystals on the surface, press a layer of plastic cling wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream, ensuring there are no air bubbles between the wrap and the mixture. This acts as a barrier against freezer burn and keeps your ice cream wonderfully smooth.
Place the covered containers in the freezer for a minimum of six hours, or until the ice cream is firm enough to scoop easily. For the best consistency, an overnight freeze is often ideal, allowing it to set completely.
Creative Ways to Serve Your Homemade Peach Ice Cream
Once your irresistible peach ice cream is perfectly frozen and ready to scoop, the fun truly begins with how you choose to serve it! There are endless ways to elevate this refreshing treat and customize it to your liking:
- Add Crunch with Nuts: For a delightful textural contrast, sprinkle some chopped nuts over your scoops. Shaved almonds, toasted pecans, or crunchy pistachios all complement the sweet peach flavor beautifully.
- Brighten with Berries: Enhance the freshness by serving your peach ice cream with a handful of fresh berries. Raspberries, blueberries, or sliced strawberries add a pop of color and a tart counterpoint that makes the ice cream even more refreshing.
- Drizzle with Syrup: Elevate the sweetness with a drizzle of your favorite syrup. Classic vanilla syrup adds a comforting note, while maple syrup introduces a rich, earthy sweetness. For something unique, try a mint syrup for an unexpected cooling sensation.
- Extra Sweetness: A light sprinkle of brown sugar and a delicate drizzle of honey can bring out even more depth in the peach flavor, offering a caramelized sweetness that is simply divine.
- Serve with Other Desserts: This peach ice cream isn’t just a stand-alone star; it’s also the perfect accompaniment to a variety of warm desserts. Imagine a generous scoop melting over a warm peach cobbler, apple pie, or even a brownie, creating an unforgettable dessert experience.
- Spice it Up: A tiny dash of cardamom or ginger powder can add an exotic, warm spice note that pairs wonderfully with peaches.
- Chocolate Lover’s Twist: While not traditional, a light drizzle of white chocolate sauce or even finely grated dark chocolate can offer an intriguing flavor combination for those who like to experiment.
- Coconut Flakes: Toasted coconut flakes can add a tropical dimension and a lovely texture.
No matter how you choose to enjoy it, this homemade no-churn peach ice cream is guaranteed to be a hit!
Pin to save for later
Print the recipe card
Peach ice cream recipe
petro
Pin Recipe
Equipment
-
cutting board
-
kitchen knife
-
hand mixer
-
mixing bowl
-
saucepan
-
spatula
-
ice cream containers
Ingredients
For the peach puree
- 5 cups peach puree about 20-24 medium peaches
- 8 tbsp granulated sugar less if peaches are very sweet
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
For the whipped cream
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 cup if peaches are very sweet
Instructions
-
Peel fresh peaches and cut into wedges.
-
Add to a a food processor and puree
-
Transfer the puree to a saucepan and add sugar
-
Bring to a rolling boil
-
Turn the heat on low and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the puree is about half and is thicker (sort of like runny peach preserve). Add vanilla and cinnamon and mix well to combine. Chill the puree completely.
-
Meanwhile make the whipped cream by whipping heavy cream with sugar using a hand mixer. Whip until soft peaks form and the whipped cream is fluffy and airy.
-
Once the puree is chilled, gently fold it in the whipped cream with a spatula.
-
Add some peach chunks if you like. When completely combined, transfer to ice cream containers and keep in the freezer for at least 6 hours before serving
Nutrition