Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

$- 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved - 1 tablespoon lemon juice You start with fresh cherries. Choose ripe, juicy cherries for the best flavor. Pitting them is key, so you enjoy every bite. Halve the cherries to release their sweet juice. The lemon juice added helps balance the sweetness and brightens the flavor. - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup whole milk Next, gather your dairy. Heavy cream gives the ice cream its rich texture. Whole milk adds smoothness. Together, they create a creamy base that makes your ice cream delightful. The cream and milk work together to make each scoop luscious. - 3/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For sweetness, you’ll use granulated sugar. It helps bring out the cherry flavor. Semi-sweet chocolate chips add a nice contrast to the cherries. The vanilla extract enhances the overall taste, making it even more delicious. This blend of flavors is what makes cherry chocolate chip ice cream so special. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, you need to cook the cherries. In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of fresh cherries, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Heat this mixture over medium heat for about 5 to 7 minutes. You want the cherries to soften and release their juices. Once done, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool. This cooling step is key. It helps keep the cream from curdling later. Next, grab a separate bowl. In this bowl, whisk together 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 cup of whole milk, and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor. Mix well until the sugar dissolves completely. Once your cherry mixture has cooled, fold it into the cream mixture. Stir gently, so you don’t break the cherries. This step combines the sweet cherry flavor with the creamy base. Now it’s time to chill the mixture. Place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This step keeps the ice cream creamy when you churn it. Once it’s cold, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and churn it until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. During the last few minutes, add in 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Make sure they mix in well. Finally, transfer the mixture to an airtight container. Freeze it for at least 4 hours or until it becomes firm. Enjoy your homemade cherry chocolate chip ice cream! To get the best texture, chill your mixture well. This helps keep the ice cream creamy. After mixing the cream and cherry blend, place it in the fridge for at least two hours. This step is key to a smooth final product. Churning is also important. When using the ice cream maker, follow the instructions carefully. It’s best to churn until the mix looks like soft-serve. This keeps it fluffy and light. Taste is personal, so feel free to adjust the sweetness. If you like it sweeter, add more sugar. You can also reduce the sugar if you prefer a tart flavor. For the chocolate, you can play around too. If you love chocolate, toss in more chips. If you want a lighter taste, cut back a bit. Find the balance that makes your taste buds happy. Serve your ice cream at the right temperature. Let it sit out for 5-10 minutes before scooping. This makes it easier to serve. You can enjoy cherry chocolate chip ice cream on its own or pair it with other treats. Try it with brownies or a slice of pie. The mix of flavors will delight your guests. Pro Tips Use Fresh Cherries: For the best flavor and texture, always use fresh, ripe cherries when making your ice cream. Chill Your Mixture: Ensure the cherry and cream mixture is thoroughly chilled before churning for a smoother ice cream texture. Experiment with Chocolate: Try using dark chocolate chips or even white chocolate for a different flavor profile in your ice cream. Let It Soften: Allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping to make serving easier. {{image_2}} You can change the fruit in this recipe if you want. Strawberries or raspberries work well. They add their own sweet taste and color. Just make sure to adjust the sugar based on the fruit's natural sweetness. You can also play with the chocolate. Dark chocolate gives a rich flavor, while milk chocolate is sweeter. Mix and match to find your favorite combo! If you want a vegan version, swap heavy cream and milk for coconut cream or almond milk. For sugar-free options, use a sugar replacement like stevia or erythritol. These changes keep the taste without the extra calories. Always check the labels to ensure the substitutes fit your diet. Get creative with how you serve your ice cream! Try making ice cream sandwiches using cookies. Just scoop the cherry chocolate chip ice cream between two cookies. You can also make sundaes. Add whipped cream, nuts, or more cherries on top. This makes each scoop extra special. To store homemade ice cream right, use airtight containers. These keep air out. Air can cause ice crystals to form. Regular containers let air in, making your ice cream icy. - Use a clean, dry container. - Fill it to the top to limit air space. - Seal it tightly. You can keep cherry chocolate chip ice cream in the freezer for about 2-3 weeks. After that, it may lose flavor and texture. Look for signs of spoilage: - Ice crystals on the surface - A grainy texture - Changes in color If you see these, it’s time to toss it. You can re-freeze ice cream after thawing. Be careful, though. Each time you thaw and refreeze, ice crystals can form. This can change the texture. To minimize this, only take out what you need. Return the rest to the freezer right away. Enjoy your homemade treat while it’s still fresh! It takes about 15 minutes to prep the ice cream. After that, you need to chill it for 2 hours. Then, churn it in your ice cream maker. Finally, freeze the ice cream for at least 4 hours. So, the total time is around 6 hours. Most of this is hands-off time, making it easy to fit into your day. Yes, you can use frozen cherries. They work well, but fresh cherries give a better taste. Frozen cherries may also change the texture a bit. If you use frozen cherries, let them thaw and drain any extra liquid before cooking. This helps keep your ice cream creamy. I recommend using a compressor ice cream maker for this recipe. They chill quickly and make smooth ice cream. If you want a more budget-friendly option, a freezing bowl maker works too. Just remember to freeze the bowl overnight before using it. Brands like Cuisinart and Breville offer reliable options. In this post, we explored how to make cherry chocolate chip ice cream from scratch. We started with fresh cherries and dairy, then moved to sweeteners and flavors. I shared step-by-step instructions for preparing, churning, and freezing your ice cream. Tips can help you get the best texture and taste. Try the different variations to keep it fun. Remember to store it properly to enjoy longer. Making ice cream is simple and rewarding. I hope you enjoy every scoop!$

A delicious homemade ice cream featuring fresh cherries and chocolate chips.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 6

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
3.75 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
0.5 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine fresh cherries, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until the cherries release their juices and soften slightly. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, remaining 1/4 cup of sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar dissolves completely.
Once the cherry mixture has cooled, fold it into the cream mixture, stirring gently to incorporate.
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until it’s cold.
Pour the cherry and cream mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
During the last few minutes of churning, add the semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
When ready to serve, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly for easier scooping.

Notes

Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for easier scooping.

Keyword cherry, chocolate chip, ice cream