If you have a sweet tooth and a love for fresh fruit, you are going to adore this Homemade Peach Ice Cream Recipe. It’s the perfect way to capture the juicy, sun-ripened flavor of peaches in a creamy, dreamy frozen treat that feels like summer in every bite. This recipe takes simple ingredients and turns them into a luscious ice cream that is bursting with natural peach goodness and a silky smooth texture that melts beautifully on your tongue. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or enjoying it as a one-person indulgence, this ice cream will quickly become your new favorite way to celebrate fresh peaches.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients in this Homemade Peach Ice Cream Recipe are straightforward but crucial. Each one plays an important role in building the ice cream’s perfect balance of flavor, creaminess, and that irresistible peach hue.
- Fresh Peaches: Use 2 pounds peeled, pitted, and chopped peaches for a natural fruit sweetness and vibrant taste.
- White Sugar: One cup to enhance the peaches’ natural sugar and help create a smooth texture.
- Half-and-Half Cream: One pint of this adds richness and creaminess without being too heavy.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: One 14-ounce can brings smooth texture and sweetness that melts beautifully in every scoop.
- Evaporated Milk: One 12-ounce can adds a wonderfully creamy depth to the ice cream base.
- Vanilla Extract: One teaspoon enhances all the flavors by adding a delicate warmth and aroma.
- Whole Milk: About 2 cups to adjust the consistency perfectly for churning and freezing.
How to Make Homemade Peach Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Peach Mixture
Start by dicing those beautiful fresh peaches and tossing them together with the cup of white sugar in a bowl. Letting this mixture sit for a while is key — it helps the peaches release their natural juices and sweetens them, creating the fruity heart of your ice cream.
Step 2: Combine the Creamy Base
In a separate bowl, combine half-and-half cream, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract. This blending creates the luscious, creamy base that contrasts perfectly with the bright peaches. Gently stir in the peach and sugar mixture, ensuring everything is well incorporated for uniform flavor.
Step 3: Prepare for Freezing
Pour your luscious mixture into the ice cream maker’s gallon-sized freezer container. Then, add enough whole milk to fill to your machine’s fill line, about 2 cups, carefully balancing the creaminess and helping the ice cream churn well.
Step 4: Freeze to Perfection
Follow your ice cream maker’s instructions and freeze the mixture until it reaches a creamy, scoopable consistency. This usually takes around 30 minutes but can vary depending on your machine; patience ensures the best texture and flavor development.
How to Serve Homemade Peach Ice Cream Recipe
Garnishes
Top your homemade peach ice cream with fresh peach slices, a sprinkle of toasted almonds, or a drizzle of honey for an extra touch of natural sweetness and crunch. These garnishes bring an added dimension that makes the experience all the more special and inviting.
Side Dishes
This ice cream pairs wonderfully with warm treats like freshly baked pound cake or buttery shortbread cookies. The contrast between warm and cold, soft and creamy, creates a delightful textural harmony that your taste buds will celebrate.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not serve this peach ice cream inside hollowed-out peach halves or in clear dessert glasses layered with macerated peaches for a stunning presentation? You can even create mini parfaits with granola and fresh herbs like mint for a fresh and colorful dessert experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover homemade peach ice cream in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Storing it in the coldest part of your freezer will maintain its texture and flavor for up to two weeks, making sure every scoop stays as enjoyable as the first.
Freezing
If you want to freeze the ice cream longer term, seal it tightly with plastic wrap pressed against the surface before placing the lid on the container. This extra step helps prevent ice crystals and keeps the texture smooth after extended freezing.
Reheating
Ice cream isn’t meant to be reheated, of course, but if it becomes too hard in the freezer, let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to soften slightly without losing its delicious creamy consistency.
FAQs
Can I use frozen peaches instead of fresh ones?
Absolutely! Frozen peaches can work well, especially when fresh peaches are out of season. Just thaw and drain them before mixing with sugar to avoid extra liquid making the ice cream icy.
What if I don’t have an ice cream maker?
While this recipe is designed for an ice cream maker, you can try freezing the mixture in a shallow pan, stirring every 30 minutes until it’s smooth and creamy. The texture won’t be quite the same, but it’ll still be delicious!
Can I adjust the sweetness?
Definitely. The recipe balances natural peach sweetness and sugar carefully, but if you prefer it less sweet, simply reduce the sugar slightly and adjust to taste once the peaches have macerated.
Is this recipe dairy-free or can it be made vegan?
Not as written, since it relies on several dairy ingredients. However, experimenting with coconut milk or almond milk substitutes and dairy-free condensed milk alternatives could provide a similar creamy texture.
How long can I keep the ice cream in the freezer?
For the best flavor and texture, enjoy your homemade peach ice cream within two weeks. Beyond that, it might develop ice crystals and lose its creamy smoothness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own ice cream from fresh ingredients, and this Homemade Peach Ice Cream Recipe is a standout treat to try any time peaches are ripe and ready. It’s not just a dessert — it’s a joyful experience, full of sweet memories in every spoonful. Give it a go; I promise you’ll love sharing this taste of summer with everyone you know.
Print
Homemade Peach Ice Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes (churning/freezing time)
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: About 1 gallon (approximately 12 servings)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
Description
This homemade peach ice cream is a creamy, refreshing dessert made from fresh peaches and a blend of milks and creams. Perfect for summer, it combines the natural sweetness of ripe peaches with rich dairy for a smooth, dreamy treat that’s easy to prepare at home using your ice cream maker.
Ingredients
Fruit and Sugar
- 2 pounds fresh peaches, peeled, pitted, and chopped
- 1 cup white sugar
Dairy and Flavorings
- 1 pint half-and-half cream
- 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups whole milk, or as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the Peaches: Dice the fresh peaches and combine them with the white sugar in a bowl. Allow this mixture to sit so the peaches can release their natural juices and the sugar can dissolve, enhancing the flavor.
- Mix Dairy Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the half-and-half cream, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended. This forms the creamy base for your ice cream.
- Combine Peach Mixture: Add the peach and sugar mixture to the dairy blend and stir thoroughly until well combined, ensuring the peach pieces are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Fill the Ice Cream Maker: Pour the combined mixture into the gallon ice cream freezer container. Then add whole milk gradually until the mixture reaches the fill line, approximately 2 cups, to ensure the correct volume and texture.
- Freeze the Ice Cream: Follow your ice cream maker manufacturer’s instructions to churn and freeze the ice cream. This process typically takes about 30 minutes and results in a creamy, scoopable homemade peach ice cream ready to serve or store.
Notes
- For best flavor, use ripe, fresh peaches and allow them to sit with sugar to macerate before mixing.
- If peaches are not in season, frozen peaches can be used but thaw and drain excess liquid.
- Adjust the amount of sugar depending on the sweetness of the peaches and your taste preference.
- Make sure the mixture is well chilled before churning for the best texture.
- Homemade ice cream is best enjoyed within a few days of freezing for optimal freshness and flavor.
