Ice cream made from watermelon is a refreshing and simple-to-prepare pleasure that’s ideal for the summertime.
All you need is some watermelon, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract.
People love watermelon ice cream because it’s light, refreshing, and has a unique flavor.
Watermelon season started early this year, so I decided to make some watermelon ice cream to enjoy while the weather was still warm.
Here’s how you can make your watermelon ice cream at home.
What You’ll Need:
- 3 cups cubed watermelon
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to make cubed watermelon?
- Cut the watermelon in half lengthwise.
- Use a large spoon to scoop out the flesh, careful not to include any of the green rinds.
- Cut the watermelon flesh into small cubes.
- Place the watermelon cubes in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Pour the watermelon puree into a large bowl.
What is heavy cream?
Heavy cream is a dairy product made from the high-fat content of milk.
It has a thick consistency and is used in many recipes to add richness and flavor.
Watermelon ice cream with heavy cream is easy to find at the grocery store.
All you need is watermelon, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract.
Why use Sugar, and how much is needed?
Sugar is used in ice cream to sweeten the flavor and add a bit of crunch.
The amount of sugar you’ll need will depend on how sweet your watermelon is.
I usually start with 1/2 cup of sugar and adjust from there.
What is a vanilla extract?
Vanilla extract is a flavoring made from vanilla beans.
It adds flavor and depth to many desserts, including ice cream.
Step By Step Instructions
1. Start by cubing your watermelon into bite-sized pieces. You should have about 3 cups of cubed watermelon when you’re done.
2. Add the cubed watermelon, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract to a blender or food processor.
3. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
4. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
5. Let the ice cream thaw for about 10 minutes before scooping and serving.
Notes
- If you want a more intense watermelon flavor, add a few drops of watermelon extract to the mixture before blending.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to taste. If you find your watermelon lovely, you may not need to add as much sugar.
- For lighter ice cream, you can substitute heavy cream for milk. The ice cream will be less rich but just as refreshing.
- You can also add other fruits to the mixture before blending. Berries or mango would be a great addition!
Storage and serving:
There are two ways to store and serve watermelon ice cream.
One is to scoop the mixture into a container, cover, and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
The other is to pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you store the ice cream in a container, it will be more like a sorbet.
It will be scoopable but will have a softer texture.
An ice cream maker will make the texture more like traditional ice cream.
Watermelon ice cream is best served cold.
Let it sit out for about 10 minutes before scooping to make it easier to scoop.
Serve with a sprig of mint or a slice of watermelon for a refreshing and summery dessert.
Nutritional Fact
- Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamins A and C. It’s also a good source of potassium. One cup of watermelon contains about 46 calories.
- Heavy cream is a good source of fat and protein. It’s also a good source of calcium and vitamin A. One cup of heavy cream contains about 821 calories.
- Sugar is a source of calories and carbohydrates. It has no nutritional value.
- Vanilla extract is a source of calories and carbohydrates. It has no nutritional value.
Nutritional Information
One serving of watermelon ice cream (1/2 cup) contains about:
- Calories: 146
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg
- Sodium: 36 mg
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 13 g
- Protein: 2 g
Can you eat ice cream with watermelon?
Watermelon and ice cream is a classic summertime combination.
The sweetness of the watermelon pairs perfectly with the creamy, rich flavor of ice cream.
While you can certainly eat watermelon and ice cream separately, eating them together takes this classic combo to a new level.
So, can you eat ice cream with watermelon?
The answer is yes!
This delicious combination will surely please your taste buds and sweet tooth.
Serve a scoop of watermelon ice cream at your next summer gathering, or enjoy a refreshing cup of cold watermelon sorbet on a hot day.
However you enjoy it, this tasty treat is sure to satisfy.
What does cornstarch do in ice cream?
Cornstarch is used as a thickener in many recipes, including ice cream.
When cornstarch is added to a liquid, it forms a gel-like substance that can help thicken, stabilize, and add structure to the final dish.
In ice cream, cornstarch helps to prevent ice crystals from forming.
Ice crystals can form when the mixture of milk, cream, sugar, and other ingredients gets too cold.
When these ice crystals form, they can make the ice cream feel grainy and icy.
Cornstarch can keep ice cream smooth and creamy.
By keeping ice crystals from forming, cornstarch allows the ice cream to maintain a smooth texture.
Recipes that contain cornstarch often instruct you to cook the mixture until it thickens, then cool it quickly.
Thus, it helps prevent the cornstarch from losing its thickening power.
So, if you’re wondering why a recipe for homemade ice cream calls for cornstarch, now you know!
The next time you make a batch of homemade ice cream, try adding a tablespoon or two of cornstarch to the mixture.
You might be surprised at how much it helps improve your ice cream’s texture and flavor.
How do you make watermelon ice cream?
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- 1 spoon
- 1 freezer
Ingredients
- 3 cups watermelon
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Start by cubing your watermelon into bite-sized pieces. You should have about 3 cups of cubed watermelon when you're done.
- Add the cubed watermelon, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract to a blender or food processor.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Let the ice cream thaw for about 10 minutes before scooping and serving.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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