Description
This homemade Watermelon Ice Cream is a sweet and creamy frozen dessert that perfectly captures the refreshing flavor of watermelon. It’s made with fresh watermelon puree, cream, and just a touch of sweetness, making it the ideal treat to cool off with during the summer months!
Ingredients
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4 cups watermelon, cubed and seeds removed
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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1/2 cup whole milk
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1/2 cup granulated sugar (or more, to taste)
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for added flavor)
Instructions
Prepare the Watermelon Puree:
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Blend the watermelon: In a blender or food processor, combine the watermelon cubes and blend until smooth. You should have about 2 cups of watermelon puree.
Make the Ice Cream Base:
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Mix the cream and milk: In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the watermelon puree to the mixture and stir until everything is well combined.
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Add lemon and vanilla: Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla extract (if using) for added depth of flavor.
Freeze the Mixture:
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Churn the ice cream: If you have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into the machine and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually about 20-25 minutes) until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
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No ice cream maker? No problem! Pour the mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe dish and place it in the freezer. Every 30 minutes, use a fork to scrape and mix the ice cream for the first 2-3 hours to prevent large ice crystals from forming. After about 4-5 hours, the ice cream should be firm and scoopable.
Serve:
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Scoop and enjoy: Once the ice cream has set to your desired consistency, scoop it into bowls or cones, and enjoy your homemade watermelon ice cream!
Notes
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For extra creaminess, you can add a bit of sweetened condensed milk in place of some of the sugar.
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You can add mix-ins like chocolate chips, chopped mint, or coconut flakes if desired.
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Make sure to strain the watermelon puree through a fine sieve if you prefer a smoother texture with no pulp.