Go Back Email Link
Homemade Black Cherry Ice Cream

Homemade Black Cherry Ice Cream

This Homemade Black Cherry Ice Cream is rich, creamy, and bursting with sweet summer cherry flavor. Fresh black cherries are gently cooked to intensify their flavor, then folded into a silky vanilla ice cream base with a luscious cherry jam swirl. It’s an irresistible homemade frozen treat for warm days.
Hit the Rating button
Print Pin
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 50 minutes
Author: James Taylor

Equipment

  • Ice Cream Maker
  • Medium Saucepan
  • Large heat-safe mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Rubber spatula
  • Freezer-Safe Container:
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

For the Cherry Mixture

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen black cherries pitted and halved
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Ice Cream Base

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1¼ cups heavy cream
  • 1¼ cups whole milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

For the Cherry Swirl

  • ½ cup cherry jam or preserves

Instructions

  • Add the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice to a saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cherries soften and release their juices.
    Add the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice to a saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cherries soften and release their juices
  • Transfer the cherries to a bowl with a slotted spoon and refrigerate. Let the cherry syrup cool slightly.
    Transfer the cherries to a bowl with a slotted spoon and refrigerate. Let the cherry syrup cool slightly
  • Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a heat-safe bowl until pale and slightly thickened.
    Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a heat-safe bowl until pale and slightly thickened
  • Stir the heavy cream, whole milk, salt, and cherry syrup together in the saucepan. Warm over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.
    Stir the heavy cream, whole milk, salt, and cherry syrup together in the saucepan. Warm over medium heat until steaming but not boiling
  • Slowly whisk the warm cream mixture into the egg yolks. Return everything to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard reaches about 170°F (75°C) and coats the back of a spoon.
    Slowly whisk the warm cream mixture into the egg yolks. Return everything to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Strain the custard into a clean bowl, cover, and refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 3 hours.
    Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Strain the custard into a clean bowl, cover, and refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 3 hours
  • Churn the chilled custard in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Add the chilled cherries during the final few minutes of churning.
    Churn the chilled custard in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Add the chilled cherries during the final few minutes of churning
  • Layer the ice cream and cherry jam in a freezer-safe container, then gently swirl with a knife or spoon.
    Layer the ice cream and cherry jam in a freezer-safe container, then gently swirl with a knife
  • Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours, or until firm enough to scoop.
    Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours, or until firm enough to scoop

Notes

  • Fresh or frozen black cherries work well in this recipe.
  • Cooking the cherries first softens them and concentrates their flavor, while the cherry syrup adds extra fruitiness to the custard.
  • Keep the custard cold before churning for the creamiest texture.
  • Do not let the custard boil while cooking, as the egg yolks can scramble.
  • For a Cherry Garcia-inspired version, add up to ¼ cup mini chocolate chips during the final minutes of churning.
  • Store the ice cream in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Keyword Homemade Black Cherry Ice Cream