Honey Lavender Ice Cream

Creamy lavender ice cream is naturally sweetened with honey and boasts a lovely, light, floral flavor of fresh lavender. It’s the ultimate summer evening ice cream, so I know you’ll love this refreshing and delicate recipe.

There are two things that really speak to me: warm summer nights spent outside chasing fireflies, while watching the kids (the goat and human kinds) trampling around the yard…and creamy ice cream.

Ice cream is one of my favorite foods. Like, it actually makes me happy. It may also be the memories of my mom making homemade ice cream on those hot summer days.

It always amazes me how many memories are connected to the flavors and smells of food. 

So, this lavender ice cream is a twist on the classic.

Fresh lavender flowers and leaves are steeped into the milk, cream, and honey, until it has reached the right amount of delicate floral flavor.

Then the mixture is chilled and added to an ice cream machine to be churned until it is light, creamy, and deliciously frozen.

Add beautiful fresh lavender flowers right from the garden for a pop of purple.

Why you will love this recipe:

• It is naturally sweetened. Not only is honey a better sweetener option than white sugar for the nutritional benefits, but it also lends a creamier texture to the ice cream and pairs so well with the lavender flavor. 
• The flavor is amazing. Lavender and cream are the perfect flavor match and they offer something slightly unusual without being too wild.
• Made from simple whole-food ingredients. Nothing weird here – just natural ingredients that are easy to find.

Tips For Making Lavender Ice Cream

• Save the egg whites that you don’t need for this recipe for an omelette (or another recipe you have in your repertoire that only requires egg whites, like angel food cake).
• Check the ingredients in your cream. It should only say simple things like cream and milk. Some cream companies add stabilizers and other unnecessary ingredients.
• Ensure your ice cream machine canister is frozen completely before using. You will want to make sure the custard mixture is completely chilled before churning, as this is also very important.
• You could easily make this recipe with dried ‘culinary grade’ lavender during the winter months. Just taste the mixture as it steeps to ensure it has reached the strength of lavender flavor you desire.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

What does lavender ice cream taste like?

It tastes sweet, creamy, and has a pleasant floral taste. Some people find lavender to be calming, while others might think it tastes like soap. Everyone’s taste buds are a little different, so just know your crowd before you invest time and ingredients in a large batch. But really….it’s delicious. 

Can you make ice cream without an ice cream maker?

To make ice cream without an ice cream maker, place the mixture in a glass baking dish and freeze for an hour. As it begins to freeze around the outsides, stir down around the outsides to add the frozen parts to the rest of the mixture. Freeze for an additional 30 minutes and scrape down the sides. Repeat until the ice cream is fully frozen.

Another way to make this recipe without an ice cream maker is by following the lavender ice cream instruction. After the ice cream base has chilled, pour it into a gallon sized ziplock bag and freeze flat. Once it is frozen, break it apart into small chunks and place in a blender or food processor (food processor will work better). Blend until smooth and creamy. Enjoy right away, or place in container and refreeze for later.

Tools you will need:

Ice cream machine (optional)

Loaf Pan

Ice cream scoop

Saucepan

Mesh strainer

Small bowl

Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients you will need:

Whole milk and heavy cream – These two combined make the creamiest texture. You want to use heavy cream or heavy whipping cream. The fat is what gives that smooth texture.

Honey – Not only naturally sweetens the recipe, but also adds to the smooth creamy texture.

Pinch of salt – Salt sounds like a weird ingredient to ice cream, but it actually brings out the sweetness out.

Fresh lavender leaves and flowers – This is what this recipe is all about! Fresh blooms and leaves add that beautiful distinct lavender flavor. I love making this recipe in the summer when my lavender bushed are in full bloom. If you don’t have your own bush you can usually find fresh lavender bouquets at the farmers market, or more specialty natural grocery stores.

Egg yolks – you can’t make a custard base without eggs. Egg yolks adds another layer of richness to the ice cream.

How To Make Lavender Ice Cream

Combine milk, cream, honey, salt, and lavender in a medium saucepan. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer and stir well to ensure honey is melted and all ingredients are combined. 

Remove from heat and allow lavender to steep in the mixture for 30 minutes. 

Taste the mixture while it steeps until it reaches the strength of lavender flavor you desire.

Strain lavender from the mixture and return the mixture to the pot. You will want to strain the lavender so you’re not chewing into the leaves.

Whisk egg yolks separately in a small bowl.

Gradually whisk in 1⁄2 cup warm cream mixture to the egg yolks, to temper the yolks and prevent curdling.

Whisk to combine yolk mixture into the remaining cream mixture in the medium saucepan. 

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, around 10 minutes or until mixture thickens and coats a spoon. 

Pour custard through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl. 

Place the bowl over an ice bath and stir until the custard is very cold, or alternatively, place the bowl in the refrigerator for a few hours until cold.

At this point, you can add in some of the lavender petals if you wish to have specks of purple flower throughout your finished product.

Pour the custard into the ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Once ice cream is churned, pour into a freezer safe container and freeze for a minimum of four hours.

Enjoy.

How To Store Honey Lavender Ice Cream

After the ice cream is churned, place it into an air-tight container with a lid and freeze for up to 2-3 months.

Find More Delicious Desserts Straight From The Farmhouse Kitchen:

• Sourdough Chocolate Rolls
• Gluten Free Lemon Cake
• Sourdough Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
• Sourdough Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler
• Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies