Luscious Lemon Ice Cream
Beyond easy, this luscious lemon ice cream comes together in a snap then churns to glorious creaminess in an ice cream maker.
Also known as “Tutu’s Lemon Ice Cream” to those in the know, this simple, refreshing ice cream recipe was sent to me by Danielle H, who has corresponded with me for a long while now about recipes and MKC content.
Her grandmother Tutu (called that sweet name because she lived in Hawaii when her first grandchild was born and Tutu means grandmother in Hawaiian) was the creator of this delicious ice cream and it is definitely a legacy to hang on to!
Beyond easy, this ice cream comes together in a snap by whisking the four every day ingredients together and then churning to glorious creaminess in an ice cream maker.
Easy peasy. And absolutely one of the most light and refreshing frozen treats I have ever partaken of.
I served this with a fall fruit crumble (recipe to come soon!) and have made it twice more just to enjoy by itself.
Perfect as a pick-me-up for a warm day, I can see myself enjoying this all winter long, as well.
There is no shame in eating ice cream throughout the bitterly cold winter, even if it means donning an extra sweatshirt or three in order to function.
Luscious Lemon Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 3 cups half & half
- 1 ½ cups (318 g) granulated sugar
- Juice of 3 lemons, about 1/2 cup
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, grate the lemons before juicing
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl or large liquid measure. Whisk or stir until the sugar is dissolved and it is mixed well.
- Using an electric ice cream maker, freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions. I place the churned ice cream in a sealed tupperware in the freezer for 3-4 hours to firm up perfectly before scooping.
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Recipe Source: adapted slightly from a recipe sent to me by Danielle H, by way of her Grandma Tutu
Perfectly lemony and creamy! So easy and wonderful for a summer treat.
This ice cream is amazing! One of my most favorite to make, everyone asks for the recipe each time I make it!
I’ve made this several times! It’s SO yummy!!!!! Thank you for all your amazing recipes
This looks so yummy. Has anyone tried this without sugar? Does honey work to sweeten and still make a good consistency?
Just finished a bowl of this and it was so good I want to preach! I’ve made it a couple of times now and it is delicious. In fact, I think it’s my favourite ice cream I’ve made with my ice cream maker. It’s a nice non-chocolate dessert option. I have served it with berries and gingersnaps to rave reviews. It’s just so hard to make sure all your amazing recipes get the credit they deserve, Mel! There are too many!
this was so easy and so good! I’d love to see more ice creme options on your blog! I’m addicted to Blue Bell and I’m having to try other things now that I can’t get it.
This recipe is awesome. I love lemon in the spring and this is springy, lemony, and delightful. I have made it three times in the past week or so, thanks heavens not just for my consumption. I did look back at my vanilla recipe and after looking at it, I tried 1 c half and half and 2 cups heavy whipping cream. Yes, I know that makes it less healthy but you aren’t eating ice cream if you are on a diet, right? The results brought a much more creamy result. My first batch was icy around the edge and so I started freezing the bowl for a few hours before the ice cream is done….it totally helped. I used a glass bowl. Also, my lemons were huge because I got a cup of lemon juice from 3 lemons. It was still delicious….I tried it with just a half cup and it’s not as lemony, so I think it just depends how strong of a lemon taste you want. Thanks for an incredible recipe. I will make this every spring and summer….so refreshing!
How much does this make? Three quarts? Four quarts?
Never mind, just saw at the top that it makes one quart.
Thanks Mel! I used bottled lemon juice and then half cream and half milk. It was delicious! I cannot wait to make it with real lemons!!! And you better believe it will be as soon as I make it to the store! This is a great recipe the way I made it, so I am SO excited to make it the “right” way!
So if I happen to have no fresh lemons, can I still make this with lemon juice from a bottle? Or should I run to the store?
And if I have cream, I can mix that with milk to make half an half right? 🙂
Thanks for always answering my questions!!
Salem – I personally wouldn’t use bottled lemon juice since the lemon flavor is the main focus here and I don’t like the taste of bottled lemon juice; however, if you like the taste of it, its certainly worth a try. And yes, you can experiment with mixing milk and cream together. Good luck!
I love anything lemon…. And this ice cream is in my top five! It was so simple and tasted so delicious. I can’t wait to make it again!
I grew up on lemon ice cream. But lost my mothers recipe a few years back. I’m 65.
This ice ceam recipe brings back lots of memorys. Thanks so much.
I just received an ice cream maker for my birthday last month and decided to try this recipe for my second batch. I absolutely love lemon so I had high expectations and let me tell you, this lived up to everything I was imagining. Thanks for sharing Mel, Danielle and Tutu!
I looooove lemon ice cream! This is so simple I can make it everyday 🙂
tutu’s ice cream and jo jo potatoes–you have a thing for rhyming names this week! (or, rather, last week…) this is indeed luscious and quite lovely. the blackberries are a nice touch–a swirl incorporated into the ice cream might be nice!
Thanks so much, lemon, one of my favorite flavors, easy, my favorite option in the kitchen. And to serve this over a fall crumble, oh my! With you all the way with this recipe.
wow! this looks very refreshing!
Oh, I’m so glad you liked it! I was pretty sure you would. Tutu would be so proud!
No ice cream maker 🙁 but does it ever look delicious.
I too only wish I had an ice cream maker! Looks so refreshing. Yum!
Oooooh. That looks amazing. I’m totally addicted to lemons (and other citrus). I’ve had and made lemon sorbet before, but now I need to try lemon ice cream! Tangy and smooth? Awesome.
I’m running for the kitchen NOW!
I love lemon sorbet, but have never had lemon ice cream. This looks so refreshing and creamy…a must try recipe for sure! 🙂