This homemade lemon ice cream recipe is so easy, and it’s the perfect summer dessert. All you need to make it are fresh ingredients and a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker.
When you think of summer, what comes to mind? For me, it’s pool time, warm weather, flip-flops, long walks, and plenty of ice cream. There’s just something about a frozen treat on a hot day that makes everything feel a little more special. Today I’m sharing a simple and refreshing homemade lemon ice cream recipe that’s full of bright flavor…and the best part? It couldn’t be easier to make.
Before getting into the recipe details, I want to share a short summer story. When I was growing up, my mom and dad made ice cream every summer in our hot garage using an old crank ice cream maker. Eventually, they upgraded to an electric one, which helped, but the tradition stayed the same. My mom prepared the mixture, and my dad took care of the churning while my brothers and I gathered old lawn chairs or buckets and sat around the ice cream maker, waiting for it to stop. As it began to slow down, our anticipation grew. The rock salt and ice made quite a mess, but my parents never seemed to mind. That homemade ice cream was always such a treat, and it had the most incredible taste. It’s one of those sweet memories from childhood that has stayed with me.
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Why This Recipe Works
This homemade ice cream recipe works so well because it’s simple, fun, and perfect for summer. Using a Cuisinart ice cream maker takes all the guesswork out of the process, so you can enjoy homemade ice cream anytime. It’s a great way to get the whole family involved, especially the kids. Everyone can take part, from mixing the ingredients to watching the ice cream come together.
Instructions
- Prepare to make the ice cream by placing the Cuisinart bowl in the freezer for 24 hours.
- In a large bowl, place milk, whipping cream, sugar, salt, and vanilla. Whisk to combine, or use a mixer on low speed.
- Add fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Combine well.
- Cover and place in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, or overnight.
- Remove the milk mixture from the refrigerator and gently whisk together.
- Remove the Cuisinart bowl from the freezer and place it on the ice cream maker.
- Pour the milk mixture into the frozen bowl.
- Add the mixing paddle and easy-lock lid. Churn for 20 minutes.
- When finished, put the ice cream in a freezer safe container.
- Freeze until firm.
- Garnish with fresh lemon zest if desired. Serve & enjoy!
Tips For Great Ice Cream
- As the mixture churns, it also expands. Towards the end of the churning time, it may start to overflow just a bit. It’s nothing to worry about, because by that time the ice cream is set, and no dripping occurs.
- The Cuisinart freezer bowl is really very nifty. It can be stored right in the freezer, so it’s ready to go anytime you feel like making ice cream!
- After the finished ice cream has been in the freezer a while, it gets very hard. Just remove it from the freezer for about 10 minutes before serving. It will be much easier to scoop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Variations
(adapted from cuisinart.com)
- Vanilla Ice Cream: 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup sugar, pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon high quality vanilla bean paste. (This is what I made my dad, and it was delicious!)
- Chocolate Ice Cream: 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup sifted cocoa powder, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/3 cup brown sugar, pinch of salt, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract.
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Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker | set of 6 yellow bowls | ice cream scoop | set of 4 yellow towels | white handled flatware | citrus juicer | citrus zester | glass loaf pan with lid | lemon table runner
If you’re on the fence about purchasing an ice cream maker, I want to encourage you to give it a try. It’s the best way to get that fresh, old-fashioned taste and creamy consistency that’s hard to find in store-bought ice cream. I love that there’s nothing to cook, and the process is quick and easy. After reading tons of reviews, I chose a Cuisinart model, and I’m confident it was the right decision. I wish I had one when my kids were young, but since I can’t go back, I plan to make ice cream with my grandchildren. My hope is that it becomes a summer tradition when everyone gathers at Grandma’s house.
If lemon is a favorite in your kitchen, you might also enjoy a simple lemon cake, a classic lemon loaf, tender lemon scones, lemon poppy seed muffins, or a batch of homemade lemon cookies. Each recipe is easy to make and full of that bright, fresh flavor that makes lemon desserts so appealing year-round. For more fresh ideas, see this collection of easy lemon recipes, including desserts, drinks, quick breads, and simple dinner recipes.
Homemade Lemon Ice Cream
Equipment
- Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt (just a pinch)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (heaping)
Instructions
- Prepare to make the ice cream by placing the Cuisinart bowl in the freezer for 24 hours.
- In a large bowl, place milk, whipping cream, sugar, salt, and vanilla. Whisk to combine, or use a mixer on low speed.
- Add lemon juice and lemon zest. Combine well.
- Cover and place in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, or overnight.
- Remove the milk mixture from the refrigerator and gently whisk together.
- Remove the Cuisinart bowl from the freezer and place it on the ice cream maker.
- Pour the milk mixture into the frozen bowl.
- Add the mixing paddle and easy-lock lid. Churn for 20 minutes.
- When finished, put the ice cream in a freezer safe container.
- Freeze until firm.
- Garnish with fresh lemon zest if desired. Serve & enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think. A quick rating or comment is always appreciated, and helps other readers too.
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Ann, do you think this recipe will work in a motorized old fashioned ice cream maker?
I honestly don’t know. The Cuisinart holds 1.5 quarts. So if your ice cream maker is bigger, you would have to possibly double the recipe. I looked around online for recipes that use a regular ice cream maker and the ingredients are very similar. Some call for eggs or egg yolks, but others do not. If you decide to try it, let us know!
I’ve had my Cuisinart for several years now and friends and family have come to expect ice cream at any and all gatherings that I host. Some favorites so far include Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Key Lime “Pie”, Apple Pie, Cherry Garcia, Irish Cream Whisky, and Peppermint Stick (that I make for our Yule celebrations). I prefer “Philly style” ice creams over the custards and this recipe fits the bill. I think this Lemon will be a nice finishing touch to the Low-Country Boil I am making tomorrow.
This was a hit! Luckily, I keep my Cuisinart ice cream tubs in the freezer so they’re always ready to go. This ice cream turned out so good! I added crushed graham crackers as a topping and it tasted like a lemon cream pie! We plan to take the rest of it on a camping trip in our motorhome. Can’t wait to pull this homemade ice cream out of the freezer while glamping! Thank you for this wonderful recipe. Love your blog too!
Mine a very similar childhood memory,we did farm stand peaches, or strawberries we grew, mom made strawberry jam,grape jam,thick w fruit! He smell,never to be replicated! & the pies,oh goodness,another story. We were so blessed!
Can you make the lemon ice cream without the machine ? I lover anything lemon but I don’t have a ice cream maker. I would love a recipe and then make some sugar cookies to go with it , oh my how Devine that sounds.
No…you do need an ice cream maker to make this recipe. Thank you!
Lemon ice cream sounds delicious! I have owned a Cuisinart ice cream maker for many years. When my sons were young I never bought pre-made ice cream. Ours was always homemade, thanks to our cuisinart. I discovered chocolate ice cream could be made with chocolate milk! Fresh peach ice cream is dreamy with angel food cake! I cannot wait to try this lemon recipe.
Chocolate milk for chocolate ice cream is brilliant! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it!
I am so impressed by the notion of making homemade ice cream and your charming story about growing up! Being a city girl, my experience was chasing the ice cream truck as it came down our street with the bells clanging and us kids yelling, “stop!” How much more civil making home made ice cream is! I think I’d love to try it and the Cuisinart seems the perfect place to start. Thanks for sharing!
We’ve had a Cuisinart Ice Cream maker for years. Used a lot during the pandemic! I’ve got to try this recipe ASAP as I love ice cream and lemons.
What vanilla bean paste and extract do you use?
My favorite is Nielsen-Massey, but it’s pricey. I have tried other kinds, but always go back to NM. I figure I don’t use very much so I can splurge!
I can attest to the value of a Cuisinart Ice Cream maker! It’s now a family tradition to make ice cream whenever my large family is together. I purchased my ice cream maker for the grand kids, but the adults are just as thrilled! It’s so easy to use and produces the most delicious ice cream. The Cuisinart is so worth the money and one of my favorite purchases ever.