Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe

If you’re searching for a dessert that tastes like summer in Provence, look no further than Honey Lavender Ice Cream. This creamy, dreamy treat marries floral notes of lavender with the golden sweetness of honey, creating a custard-based ice cream that’s both elegant and comforting. Every spoonful will transport you to rolling lavender fields, and the smooth texture makes it incredibly luxurious. Whether you’re making it for a dinner party or as a special treat for yourself, this recipe is guaranteed to become a new favorite.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Honey Lavender Ice Cream are simple, but each one plays a key role in achieving the perfect texture and luscious flavor. Every component works in harmony to create a dessert that’s both show-stopping and approachable for home cooks.

• Heavy Cream: This is the secret to an ultra-rich, smooth ice cream base that churns up perfectly velvety.
• Whole Milk: Balances out the cream for just the right consistency—neither too light nor too heavy.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and depth; choose a mild, floral honey to enhance the lavender.
• Dried Culinary Lavender: Essential for that signature floral flavor—be sure to use lavender labeled safe for culinary use.
• Large Egg Yolks: Key for making a luscious custard, providing body and that classic French ice cream texture.
• Salt: Just a pinch, but it’s vital—it deepens the flavors and keeps the ice cream from tasting flat.

How to Make Honey Lavender Ice Cream

Step 1: Infuse the Cream

Start by pouring the heavy cream, whole milk, honey, and dried lavender into a medium saucepan. Stir gently as you bring the mixture just to a simmer—this helps the honey blend beautifully and the lavender release its gentle aroma. Remove from heat, cover, and let the lavender steep for 15 to 20 minutes for maximum floral infusion.

Step 2: Strain and Prepare the Base

Once the cream mixture has steeped, strain it through a fine mesh sieve to remove all the lavender. This ensures your Honey Lavender Ice Cream has a smooth, creamy texture without any bits. Pour the now-perfumed liquid back into your saucepan, getting ready to turn it into custard.

Step 3: Temper the Egg Yolks

In a separate bowl, combine your egg yolks and a pinch of salt, whisking them until they’re smooth and slightly thickened. To avoid scrambled eggs, slowly pour a little of the warm cream mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly—this is tempering and it helps the eggs adjust to the heat gently without cooking too quickly.

Step 4: Cook the Custard

Gradually whisk the warmed yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the cream. Set over low heat, and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula. Watch carefully: you want the custard to thicken just enough to coat the back of the spoon (about 170–175°F), but don’t let it boil.

Step 5: Chill the Custard

Remove your saucepan from the heat, and for ultra-smooth Honey Lavender Ice Cream, strain the custard again if you wish. Cover and chill the custard in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight. This step ensures your ice cream churns up light and dreamy.

Step 6: Churn and Freeze

Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The transformation from liquid to creamy ice cream is pure magic! Once finished, scoop it into a container, cover, and freeze for an additional 2 to 4 hours until firm.

How to Serve Honey Lavender Ice Cream

Garnishes

Dress up every scoop with a drizzle of extra honey, a few dried edible flowers, fresh lavender sprigs, or even a small pinch of flaky sea salt. These delicate garnishes highlight both the flavor and beauty of Honey Lavender Ice Cream.

Side Dishes

Shortbread cookies or a scattering of fresh berries (think raspberries or blueberries) pair phenomenally with this flavor, offering a crunchy contrast or bright burst of tartness alongside the creaminess.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Honey Lavender Ice Cream into a showstopper by serving it sandwich-style between lemon macarons, nestled atop a slice of pound cake, or in edible chocolate or lavender-sugar cookie cups. For a brunch twist, top homemade waffles with a scoop and a drizzle of floral honey.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any extra Honey Lavender Ice Cream in an airtight container in your freezer. For maximum freshness and flavor, press a layer of plastic wrap or parchment directly onto the surface before sealing — this prevents pesky ice crystals from forming.

Freezing

This ice cream keeps beautifully in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Beyond that, the texture may still taste good, but you’ll start to lose those delicate lavender and honey notes. Always use freezer-safe containers to maintain optimal creaminess.

Reheating

While you won’t want to reheat Honey Lavender Ice Cream, you can easily soften it before scooping. Simply let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes for that perfect, creamy, scoopable texture.

FAQs

Can I make this ice cream without an ice cream maker?

Absolutely! After chilling the custard, pour it into a shallow dish and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes for 2–3 hours. The texture won’t be quite as silky as churned, but you’ll still get a lovely homemade treat.

Is lavender safe to eat?

Yes, when you use culinary-grade dried lavender, it’s completely safe and delicious. Avoid ornamental lavender, which can taste bitter and be too strong in recipes like Honey Lavender Ice Cream.

Can I use another type Dessert

For best results, stick to heavy cream and whole milk for their richness and texture. Swapping out dairy for coconut milk or other alternatives can be done, but the flavor will definitely change, and the custard may be less creamy.

How do I control the strength of the lavender flavor?

It’s all about the steeping time! Steep the lavender for a little less (about 10 minutes) for a subtler flavor, or up to 20 minutes for more pronounced floral notes. Taste after steeping to find your perfect balance.

What’s the best honey to use?

Choose a light, floral honey such as clover or wildflower — these varieties mesh beautifully with lavender. Strong, dark honeys can easily overpower the delicate floral flavors in Honey Lavender Ice Cream.

Final Thoughts

Once you taste the luxurious, floral sweetness of Honey Lavender Ice Cream, it’s bound to become a highlight of your homemade dessert repertoire. Don’t be surprised if it inspires you to dream up even more ways to play with lavender and honey. Give it a try and remember: every homemade scoop is a celebration!

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