Get ready to fall in love with Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks! This delightfully rich, churned ice cream captures the very essence of summer’s sweetest berries in every luscious bite. Each mouthful bursts with vibrant strawberry flavor, balanced by a silky, custard base and abundant pockets of real, juicy fruit. Whether you’re sharing with friends at a sunny picnic or sneaking a scoop after dinner, this homemade treat will charm even the most discerning dessert lovers.

Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks really lies in its handful of simple, quality ingredients. Each one has a role to play: the freshness of the berries, the rich creaminess of the dairy, a whisper of vanilla, and, of course, those irresistible strawberry pieces that make this ice cream so special.

Fresh strawberries (2 cups, hulled and chopped): The star ingredient, these provide bursts of tart-sweet fruitiness and a gorgeous natural color.
Granulated sugar (3/4 cup, divided): Sweetens the custard and helps the strawberries release their juices for maximum flavor.
Heavy cream (2 cups): Brings unmatched richness and that ultra-creamy texture to the finished ice cream.
Whole milk (1 cup): Balances out the heaviness of the cream for perfect scoopability.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Accentuates both the sweet notes of the cream and the fruitiness of the strawberries.
Pinch of salt: Don’t skip this! A little salt makes all the flavors bloom.
Large egg yolks (4): These give the custard its silky body and help emulsify everything into dreamy smoothness.

How to Make Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks

Step 1: Macerate the Strawberries

Start by giving your strawberries some love! In a bowl, toss the chopped berries with 1/4 cup of sugar. Let them sit for about 20 minutes until they soften and glisten with sweet juice—this draws out their flavor and gives you juicy pockets throughout the ice cream. After that, mash them lightly with a fork, making sure to leave some hearty chunks.

Step 2: Create the Custard Base

It’s time to build that creamy backbone. In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, vanilla extract, salt, and half of the remaining sugar. Gently heat over medium until the mixture is steaming—no bubbling! This warms everything through and gets the flavors mingling.

Step 3: Temper the Egg Yolks

While the milk mixture warms, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining sugar in a separate bowl until it’s pale and a bit thick. To keep things silky and avoid scrambled eggs, slowly drizzle in a bit of the hot cream, whisking rapidly to temper the yolks. This crucial step prevents curdling and ensures a sumptuous ice cream base.

Step 4: Combine and Thicken

Once tempered, pour the yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the cream. Cook gently over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Patience is key—this step is what makes the texture so creamy and luxurious.

Step 5: Strain and Chill

Take the saucepan off the heat and immediately strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl. This filters out any little bits for a perfectly smooth ice cream. Let it cool slightly, cover, and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or even overnight if you’re planning ahead. Chilling the custard helps it churn up extra smooth.

Step 6: Churn and Add Strawberry Chunks

Once the custard is fully chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker and churn following the manufacturer’s instructions. During the last 5 minutes (when it’s good and thick but not quite frozen solid), add in those juicy macerated strawberries—juices and all! This is what truly sets Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks apart.

Step 7: Freeze Until Set

Scoop the finished ice cream into a container, give it a gentle swirl if you like, then press a layer of parchment or plastic wrap directly on the surface before covering. Freeze for at least 4 hours to let the flavors meld and the ice cream firm up to perfect scoopability.

How to Serve Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks

Garnishes

A scoop of Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks looks stunning on its own, but top it off with a few fresh berry slices, a sprig of mint, or a drizzle of homemade strawberry sauce for an extra pop of color and flavor. A dusting of crushed graham crackers can also add a playful crunch.

Side Dishes

Pair your ice cream with buttery shortbread cookies, crisp meringues, or a slice of simple vanilla pound cake to soak up any melting goodness. For a seasonal touch, serve with a medley of mixed fresh berries on the side to let the strawberry theme shine.

Creative Ways to Present

Go beyond the bowl—try sandwiching scoops between chewy cookies for dreamy ice cream sandwiches, stacking it atop warm waffles for a brunchy treat, or layering with sponge cake and whipped cream in a trifle. The bold, fruity chunks and creamy base make this ice cream a showstopper in any form.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks in an airtight container in the freezer. Pressing parchment or plastic wrap right against the surface helps prevent ice crystals and keeps each scoop as fresh as the first.

Freezing

Store your ice cream in the coldest part of your freezer for best texture. It will stay delicious for up to two weeks (if you can resist that long!). Let it sit at room temperature for a minute or two before scooping for the best creamy texture.

Reheating

Ice cream isn’t meant to be reheated, but if you find it’s too firm to scoop, just leave it out on the counter for 5 minutes. This softens it up, making it easy to serve without losing its luscious texture or those vibrant strawberry chunks.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

Absolutely! Thaw and drain the frozen strawberries first, then proceed with the maceration step. The result is still a wonderful Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks, with maybe a slightly softer texture in the fruit.

Do I need an ice cream maker?

An ice cream maker gives you the creamiest results, especially with those luscious egg yolks and cream. However, if you don’t have one, you can try the no-churn method: freeze the custard, stirring vigorously every thirty minutes until set, then fold in the strawberries and freeze until solid.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can experiment with coconut cream and a rich non-dairy milk in place of the cream and whole milk. The base will still be delicious and creamy, and your homemade Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks will be a treat everyone can enjoy.

How can I intensify the strawberry flavor?

For a bigger berry punch, puree half of the macerated strawberries before adding them to the custard, as suggested in the recipe notes. You’ll get an extra rosy color and even more strawberry essence rippling throughout.

What mix-ins work well with this ice cream?

White chocolate chunks, crushed graham crackers, or even bits of meringue are heavenly with the sweet-tart strawberries and creamy base. Just fold them into the soft churned ice cream right before that final freeze.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the pleasure of homemade Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks on a warm day. The blend of silky custard and bright berry flavor is truly something special. Give this recipe a try—you might just discover your new favorite way to celebrate strawberry season!

Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes active, plus chilling and freezing
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the luscious goodness of homemade Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream with Fresh Chunks. This delightful dessert combines the sweetness of ripe strawberries with the creamy richness of a classic ice cream base, creating a perfect treat for hot summer days.

Ingredients

Scale

Strawberry Mix:

2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Ice Cream Base:

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar

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Instructions

Prepare Strawberry Mix: Combine strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar, let sit, then lightly mash.
Make Ice Cream Base: Heat cream, milk, vanilla, salt, and half of sugar. Whisk yolks with remaining sugar, temper with cream, then cook until thickened.
Chill and Churn: Strain custard, chill, churn in ice cream maker. Add macerated strawberries during last 5 minutes of churning. Freeze before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, purée half of strawberries before adding to custard.
Can use frozen strawberries, thawed and drained.
For added indulgence, swirl in white chocolate chunks or crushed graham crackers before freezing.

Prep Time: 25 minutes plus chilling and freezing
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Churned Ice Cream
Cuisine: American