Description
Enjoy a refreshing homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream made with fresh strawberries, creamy cream cheese, and a touch of vanilla. This delightful dessert is perfect for warm days, offering a smooth and creamy texture with optional graham cracker crunch for added flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers (optional, for texture)
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries thoroughly under cold water. Hull and slice them into quarters.
- In a medium bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat.
- Let the mixture sit for 15-20 minutes to macerate.
- Transfer the strawberries to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth, leaving some chunks for texture if desired. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar until smooth and creamy (2-3 minutes).
- Gradually add the heavy cream while mixing on low speed, then increase to medium speed until thick and fluffy (3-4 minutes).
- Pour in the whole milk and vanilla extract, mixing on low until combined.
- Gently fold in the strawberry puree until swirls are visible.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturers instructions (20-25 minutes).
- For a no-churn method, pour into a shallow dish and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes for 3-4 hours.
- If desired, fold in crushed graham crackers once the ice cream has thickened, or sprinkle on top before freezing.
- Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container, smooth the top, and freeze for 4-6 hours until firm.
- Once fully frozen, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping and serving.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, blend the strawberry puree until completely smooth.
- Adjust the amount of sugar based on the sweetness of the strawberries.
- The graham cracker crust is optional but adds a delightful crunch.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes