Creamy luscious with bites of cherry and walnuts in between, this Cherry Ice Cream is not a quick recipe, but it’s an incredibly easy one. I did use an ice cream machine to churn the ice cream, but it’s not a mandate at all.
Like last year, this year too we managed to go for Cherry picking and came home with a boat load. After munching most of it as is, I knew I had to remake the Ice Cream.
Eggless Cherry Ice Cream
The first time I made Cherry Ice Cream was almost 9 years back, and even though back then I didn’t have a sweet tooth, I enjoyed it a lot.
I updated the 9 years old recipe with this eggless Cherry Ice Cream. It is a custard base that is churned with cherry compote.
Ingredients required
For the custard:
- Whole Milk
- Heavy Cream
- Corn Starch/ Corn flour
- Sugar
For the Cherry Compote:
- Fresh Cherry
- Sugar
I also added some walnut while churning the ice cream, which gave a nice crunch to the creamy ice cream texture.
Cherry Compote
The cherry compote can be either prepared on the stove top or roasted in the oven.
I don’t pit the cherries beforehand, instead; just pick the seeds out once the compote is ready. I find this process quite fuss free and much less messy.
The compote is delicious on its own and easily be converted into jam by adding corn starch to thicken the consistency or chia seeds.
How to prepare the Ice Cream WITHOUT Ice Cream Machine?
To prepare the ice cream without the ice cream machine, all you need to do is whisk the custard once it’s cooled in the refrigerator. Add the cherry compote and walnut in intervals as you whisk.
Then place the container with the whisked custard and cherry compote in the freezer for 15 minutes. Take it out and whisk again.
Finally, transfer the whole mixture to a freezer friendly container and let it set overnight.
How to prepare the Ice Cream WITH Ice Cream Machine?
Freeze the ice cream maker overnight. This is the brand I use.
Once the custard is prepared and the cherry compote is, cool it in the refrigerator.
Start by just churning the custard and then add the cherry compote in an interval. The color will turn gorgeous pink with cherry bites in between.
Finally, add the walnut too in intervals and keep churning until the mixture looks thick and smooth.
You can enjoy right away as soft serve or chill it in an ice cream container and cover clear wrap pressed directly against the surface of the ice cream. Cover with lid and let it chill for 4 hours.
Cherry Ice Cream
Ingredients
for the cherry compote
- ½ cup fresh cherries with or without the pits
- ⅓ cup sugar (you might need to add more if the cherries are not sweet enough)
for the eggless custard
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar
other ingredient (optional)
- roughly chopped walnut or your choice of nuts
Instructions
- In a heavy bottom pan, add the cherries and the sugar. Turn the heat to medium and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Once done, remove the pits and place the compote in the refrigerator to cool completely.
- To prepare the custard, add the milk and heavy cream to a pan along with the sugar. Bring the heat to medium and gently stir around until the sugar is dissolved. Switch off the heat once done.
- Then mix the corn starch with a little cold water to make a slurry. Pour it to the warm milk and give a mix. Turn the heat to medium.
- Keep stirring and simmering at medium heat until the milk thickens and coats the back of the spoon.
- Pour the eggless custard to a bowl and layer plastic or clear wrap on top by pressing straight to the custard. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
- Pour the cold custard to the ice cream maker and turn it on. It will churn slowly and start to thicken up. Add the cherry compote and chopped walnuts in intervals, so it gets distributed evenly.
- Once the cherry ice cream is ready, you can serve it as a soft serve or scrape the entire thing to an ice cream freezer friendly container. Layer a plastic or clear wrap on the ice cream, pressing it straight to the surface of the ice cream.
- Cover the container with its lid and place in the freezer to chill further or store.
Notes
How to prepare the Ice Cream WITHOUT Ice Cream Machine?
To prepare the ice cream without the ice cream machine, all you need to do is whisk the custard once it’s cooled in the refrigerator. Add the cherry compote and walnut in intervals as you whisk. Then place the container with the whisked custard and cherry compote in the freezer for 15 minutes. Take it out and whisk again. Finally, transfer the whole mixture to a freezer friendly container (I use this to freeze ice cream) and let it set overnight.Nutrition
Vishakha
Kankana, I think that alien-ish planet does exist for the non-ice cream lovers. I am part of it or defn somewhere near by;-) I don't love ice cream and there's only a couple of ways I can have ice cream. Vanilla for a nice warm brownie:) Or a mocha / almond flavored ice cream. I do taste it once in a while but when i am forced to 😉 That single cherry shot and the shot with the cherry paste (2nd last one) are simply outstanding!
nisha
same here...not that much a fan of ice cream, except maybe the cookie dough one from ben and jerrys which again i cant have regularly. since the husband likes only choc ice creams ive never even bothered 2 try making them at home 🙂
that bowl is just so so so pretteeee and it complements the ice cream so well.
beena
i simply love the combination and your pics are out of the world....lovely...
Tes
Confession: I've never tried a cherry ice-cream! I need to make this 🙂
Nandita
Oh wow!!! This ice cream has come out so good that it's hard to believe that you don't like ice cream. And this time, I just loved that bowl. The pink patterns on that complements the colour of the ice cream so well 🙂
Nami | Just One Cookbook
What a cute post, Kankana! And congrats on achieving the delicious & successful ice cream recipe! I know, ice cream is the hardest photo shoot ever and I'm constantly worry about not being able to take good shots. I love your first photo - I love the rustic feeling!
jeyashrisuresh
You are no longer a person from a different planet. My 6yr old boy doesn't like icecream and the reason he gives for that is the same as u said " cold and sweet".
Beautiful clicks and delicious icecream
Nisha
what are you talking about? you've made the ice cream look prettier than it could ever be!!!!
it's new for me to hear saunf powder in ice cream. love all the photos, the single hero cherry, the relish, the ice cream, all of 'em! 🙂
for once when i saw those cherries on basket, my eyes went wide imagining how you put the stems together to create that pattern ... then realized it's something else underneath. hehe! 😛
Rosa
Splendid clicks and fabulous ice cream!
My BF loves ice cream and goes crazy whenever he hears the word, yet it leaves me neutral. I like the stuff, but don't really care for it...
Cheers,
Rosa
Prerna@IndianSimmer
Yes, you are from a different planet for not liking ICE CREAM! But that ice cream really came from a different planet. Wish I could have some more the other day 🙁 I might wanna have you make some more for me. So should I just ask you or go through "A's" route because I know if he asks you might not say no 🙂
Love you honey and love that ice cream!
Arch
Really lovely combination of ingredients ! Love that bowl, its so perfect for that ice-cream. I hope you enjoyed eating this one at least !
vimitha
Ooooh dear. Thats an awesome combo of flavors. Nice refreshing icecream
Archana
Wow..wow. Beautiful photography and awesome combination of ingredients.Keep them coming.
Ritu
Beautiful pictures!!
Reem | Simply Reem
Kankana your photography always makes me skip a heart beat!!!
Beautiful!! ...
Gorgeous recipe but honestly I end up spending more time seeing the pics...God they are gorgeous!!
Rose ( Magpie's Recipes)
LOVE! the pictures as usual are gorgeous and that flavour is totally unexpected! Am sure this tastes as amazing as Viji said it was! One more thing to add to the list of what I want you to make for me some day :))
Vijitha
Finally!!! The ice cream post is up in your blog sweety. What more can I say? 🙂 It looks and taste uber delicious! I am waiting for our next meet up.
Sudeshna
I have almost everything except the cherries, let me make it tonight will let you know :).
Amy @ fragrantvanill
This ice cream is so lovely, and it sounds delicious as well! Love the addition of the marsala wine, it must have such wonderful flavor!
Grishma @Zaikazabard
Unbelievable flavor combinations! Cherry n Fennel - wow! Surely trying it once I get cherries home 🙂