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
Keep Calm and Eat On
Was wondering when cherries will be featured here knowing how much you love them. Cherry and cream cheese! Couldn't have asked for more. I am not big on ice cream but I do love my 'Cherry Garcia' from Ben and Jerry's...only ice cream I'm crazy for.
Jaya
Wow! What lovely pictures ..yes clicking ice-creams/kulfi is difficult..and yours look pretty perfect..adding fennel to ice- creme is new to me..hugs
Mallika
Hey Kankana, I can relate so much to what you have written! I am an ice cream fanatic while my husband has mood swings for ice creams! I too could eat them for all 3 meals, while I've never been able to figure out how one could dislike this treat. I am still trying to discover ways and means how I could make him eat one everyday! You've sold me completely to this recipe. With Marsala wine and red wine vinegar, this cherry ice cream is nothing less than a royal treat. I am sold! Gorgeous!
Jacqueline
Fantastic Kankana! Great as well the fact that you don't need an ice cream maker. The soften cherry recipe sounds truly delicious.
Great photos! I love cherries 🙂
wok with ray
Me too, I find that shooting photos of ice cream is not always easy. My problem is it melts so fast, so depending on the weather, I always chill the serving container for hero before I use it for the shoot. It's just a little trick. But I don't care how badly you scooped this ice cream Kankana, your photography skills compensates the flaws to turn it into a beautiful art. Amazing! 🙂
Kitchen Belleicious
i thin you could make anything look amazing with your picture taking. Cherry ice cream is a favorite of my mom and I must make this for her! It looks so beautiful and sweet!
Notyet100
Ummmm this looks so delicious,..I luv Icecream specially the one with fruits"""
Jennifer (Delicieux)
I think your ice cream looks absolutely stunning Kankana!!!! And you're right, shooting ice cream is especially difficult. Time is definitely of the essence. I absolutely love that last photo of the ice cream in the scoop. Stunning!!
I'm going to have to try condensed milk ice cream. I always use my tried and tested custard method, but I'm intrigued by the condensed milk.
Magic of Spice
Such beautiful flavors for an ice cream...truly luxurious!
erin @ yummy supper
And Kankana, your photos are stunning. What a great series!
erin @ yummy supper
Cherries and fennel in ice cream? Yum! You may not love ice cream, but you are a genius ice cream creator!
xxoo
E
Nash at plateful
You really don't like ice cream? Wait, I'm screaming.. REALLY?!! And you still have come up with this unique flavor, wish I could try it girl. I love, LOVE ice cream! And Oh, I loooove your photos too, wish I could shoot this good someday! Last one is my fave here 🙂
Erin Hess
Wow that sounds fantastic! We have cherry overload here. I can't wait to make this!
IshitaUnblogged
Kankana, fabulous recipe - all the ingredients are my favourite - cherries, wine... fennel is a surprising addition. Your photographs are as usual amazing, but this time supercool!
Sharing:)
dassana
even i am not so fond of ice cream. what i liked was the addition of fennel seeds in the ice cream. your photos are gorgeous. in fact the first pic of the ice cream scoops... the intricately designed bowl... i liked them all..even i am not so good at clicking ice cream pics.
mjskit
You really surprised me with the fennel seeds! But why not - a little licorice flavor with cherries sounds wonderful! For someone that doesn't like ice cream, you've created two wonderful versions of cherry ice cream! And once again - the clicks are amazing! I especially love the lone cherry sitting on the edge of the table.
Poornima
I could have ice cream for all my meals and I do think you're from a different planet, Kankana:) Absolutely love the flavors you've got going in this one and the pictures are as usual splendid!!
Yasmeen
Such beautiful photos - I especially love the single cherry photo just before the recipe. I am an ice cream lover, but have so rarely made it at home (not sure why, really). This cherry recipe has totally inspired me to try it, and remind myself of summer in this super cold winter we're having here.
Ameena
So the truth is that I'm not a huge fan of ice cream either. But this takes it to a whole other level! I wish we lived closer so I could drop by and do a little taste test. 🙂
Hope you had a great weekend my friend!
indugetscooking
I am so curious about the fennel flavour in your icecream! Would love to try it out. Love the pic of the softened cherries best of all.