Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will transform your dessert experience forever! Our Cherry Balsamic Ice Cream is not just a recipe—it's a symphony of flavors that dances between sweet, tangy, and luxuriously creamy. Imagine a dessert that surprises your palate with an unexpected twist, blending the luscious richness of ripe cherries with the sophisticated depth of balsamic vinegar. This isn't just ice cream; it's a gourmet experience that will elevate your dessert game and leave your guests absolutely mesmerized.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cherries, pitted and chopped
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, whole milk, and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar completely dissolves and mixture is smooth.
- Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent skin formation.
- While cream mixture cools, prepare cherry balsamic reduction. In a separate small saucepan, combine chopped cherries and balsamic vinegar. Simmer over low heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture thickens and cherries break down.
- Strain cherry balsamic reduction through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing cherries to extract maximum flavor. Discard solids and let reduction cool completely.
- Once cream mixture is cooled, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to chill thoroughly.
- Pour chilled cream mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's instructions, typically 20-25 minutes.
- During the last 5 minutes of churning, slowly drizzle in the cooled cherry balsamic reduction to create a swirled effect.
- Transfer churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.
- Before serving, let ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly for easier scooping.
Tips
- Use the highest quality ingredients possible, especially the balsamic vinegar. A good aged balsamic will provide a more complex flavor profile.
- Ensure your cream mixture is completely chilled before churning to achieve the smoothest texture.
- When reducing the cherries and balsamic, watch the heat carefully to prevent burning. Low and slow is the key to developing rich flavors.
- For an extra luxurious touch, use fresh, in-season cherries when available.
- If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe by freezing the mixture and stirring vigorously every hour to break up ice crystals.
- Allow the ice cream to temper for a few minutes before serving to achieve the perfect scoopable consistency.
- For a more intense cherry flavor, you can add a small amount of cherry extract to the base mixture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 32g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Cholesterol: 95mg
