Imagine a dessert that captures the essence of a sun-drenched summer day in every single creamy, luscious bite. Our Peach and Toasted Almond Ice Cream isn't just another frozen treat—it's a symphony of flavors that will transport your taste buds to a perfect orchard, where ripe peaches and crunchy almonds dance together in a luxurious cream base. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or simply treat yourself to a moment of pure culinary bliss, this homemade ice cream promises an unforgettable experience that store-bought versions could never match.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Dessert
Serves: 1 quart
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups ripe peaches, diced
- 1/2 cup toasted almonds, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Prepare the peaches by washing, peeling, and dicing them into small, uniform cubes. Set aside in a bowl.
- Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until they become golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool, then roughly chop. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, whole milk, and granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar completely dissolves.
- Remove the cream mixture from heat and stir in vanilla extract and almond extract. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until thoroughly chilled.
- Pour the 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, gradually add the diced peaches and toasted almonds to distribute evenly.
- Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the ice cream to firm up completely before serving.
- Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping to ensure easy serving.
Tips
- Choose perfectly ripe, fragrant peaches for the most intense flavor. Slightly soft peaches with a deep orange-yellow color work best.
- Toast almonds carefully—they can quickly go from golden to burnt. Stir constantly and watch closely, removing from heat when they're light golden and aromatic.
- Chill your cream mixture thoroughly before churning; this ensures a smoother, creamier texture.
- If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can use the no-churn method by whipping the cream and folding in other ingredients before freezing.
- For extra richness, consider adding a tablespoon of bourbon or amaretto when mixing in the peaches for a sophisticated flavor boost.
- Allow the ice cream to soften for 5-10 minutes before serving to achieve the perfect scoopable consistency.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 100mg
