Rhubarb Swirl Ice Cream: Tart and Sweet for Your New Favorite Summer Dessert

This dessert is going to change your life.

I’m not saying this lightly. I wholeheartedly mean it when I say that it will change everything you think you know about homemade ice cream.

Where do I even start?

First, let’s talk about the texture. When I lived in Rome in college, I lived off of gelato for several days of each week. The smooth and creamy texture of gelato struck me as something completely unreal.

It was pure heaven to indulge in a cone on my way back from classes when I lived there, and I still have dreams about those triple-scoop cones that I would spend all my extra money on.

This homemade frozen dessert has that texture. Something about the combination of heavy cream and milk in this particular base creates a rich, dreamy batch of sweetness no one can resist.

You will feel like you are eating a cloud of happiness.

Really, I’m not exaggerating. It’s that good.

Traditional gelato is made with more milk than cream, and it’s churned more slowly to add less air to the mix, creating a more dense mixture. It’s also made without egg yolks, and that’s the main difference here that reminds me of those sunny days in Italy.

Next, let’s talk about the vanilla that serves as the main flavoring in the base of this incredible dessert. It’s quite possibly the best tasting vanilla ice cream I’ve had in a long time, made right in the comfort of my own kitchen.

I highly recommend using the highest quality of pure vanilla that you can find. The better the vanilla you use, the more the deep vanilla flavor comes through in every single bite.

Tahitian vanilla extract is a favorite, but scraping half of a vanilla bean (the equivalent to about 1 1/2 teaspoons of extract) would be even better. You really want that vanilla flavor to be prominent.

Next comes the rhubarb.

This rhubarb sauce that you make from scratch for this recipe is pure deliciousness. It offers the best balance of sweet, tart, and tangy flavor.

The sauce is very easy to make, and most of the effort involves simply letting it sit on the stove, bubbling away so the rhubarb can break down quickly.

I have to warn you: be careful about tasting the sauce.

It’s one of the most magical tasting sauces in the world, and you might find yourself inhaling spoonful after spoonful of it. Before you know it, you might not be left with enough to make the recipe, and you’ll be forced to go to the store to buy more rhubarb to make it all over again.

Not like that happened to me or anything… I’m just saying it’s a smart move to give it a tiny taste, but enjoy the majority of it after adding it to the mixture.

Of course, another option is to make a double batch. At the end of this article, you’ll find more exciting tips for using the sauce.

Try serving a scoop or two of this delicious frozen treat with a slice of moist Lemon Rhubarb Spelt Cake. This unforgettable pairing is a real crowd-pleaser.

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Cooking by the Numbers…

Step 1 – Prep and Measure Ingredients

Rinse the rhubarb well, and remove any leaves completely. Using a sturdy cutting board and a sharp knife, chop the rhubarb into 1/2-inch pieces.

If you are using a vanilla bean, scrape it out and reserve the pod for another use, like making vanilla sugar (just stick it right in your sugar bowl and forget about it, for delicious results).

Measure the remaining ingredients, grouping them on your countertop so you have everything you need for the swirl and the base ready to go.

Step 2 – Cook

Add the rhubarb to a medium saucepan over high heat, with the sugar and water.

Bring to a boil. Cook at a rolling boil for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The rhubarb should be tender and falling apart when you remove the saucepan from the heat.

Step 3 – Make Sauce

Add the mixture to a food processor or high-power blender. It’s a good idea to transfer the mixture to a bowl and allow it to cool completely before you do this, to avoid burns.

An immersion blender can also be used, and many find this to be more convenient since you can use it right in the pot, even while it’s still hot – less dishes!

Process until smooth. Then cover and place in the refrigerator. If you’re short on time and your ice cream maker is already ready to go, you might even like to get started on the base first, to give it a head start in the fridge…

Step 4 – Make Base

In a large bowl, combine the cream, milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Superfine sugar can be a good choice here, since it will dissolve more quickly and easily.

Looking for a dairy-free version you can still make with the rhubarb sauce? Use our vegan vanilla bean base!

Step 5 – Chill

Chill the rhubarb sauce for at least 2 hours. You can keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. (No such thing as over-chilling here!)

The base will need to chill for at least 3 hours. This will give you plenty of time to tackle some other kitchen chores like cleaning the countertops or your large appliances, or chilling on the patio with a fresh lemon and blackberry cocktail.

You can also feel free to let these ingredients chill overnight. This is a great idea if you’re using an ice cream maker with a detachable base that also needs time to freeze, like the KitchenAid model.

Step 6 – Make Ice Cream

Once the base is chilled completely, add it to your ice cream maker.

Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 7 – Layer with Sauce

Add half of the churned ice cream to a loaf pan.

Spoon over half of the chilled rhubarb sauce.

Add remaining ice cream on top.

Make a line down the center, creating a divot in the surface of the ice cream, and top again with some of the sauce.

Use a knife to swirl the rhubarb puree just a few times in a zig-zag or figure eight motion. Don’t worry – when it’s time to get out your trusty ice cream scoop, the layers and just a light figure eight on top will create a lovely swirl pattern.

Some ice cream makers will also allow you add a swirl right in the machine, but check your manufacturer’s instructions – you don’t want to overfill the machine, or overmix. We’re going for an obvious swirl here that’s distinct from the vanilla base, not a uniform pink frozen dessert.

Step 8 – Chill Again

Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap. Chill until the ice cream is firm, approximately 3 hours minimum (overnight is best).

Save a Little Extra Sauce

My best piece of advice for this recipe is not to use all of the rhubarb sauce for your swirl.

Personally, I like to make a line down the center for the last layer of sauce, instead of covering the entire surface. Not only does this make a prettier design on top when you swirl it in with a knife, it also leaves some leftover rhubarb sauce to set aside for later.

I love putting the extra sauce on top of scoops of ice cream right before serving, but it is also great on homemade baked goods like scones, muffins, biscuits, and so much more.

Consider drizzling it over some fruit or even using an ounce or two of it in a cocktail (a rhubarb margarita, perhaps?). It’s a very versatile sauce, and I just love having it on hand.

I’ll even go back to this recipe just to make the sauce to keep in the refrigerator. It’s just that dang good.

What’s your favorite way to enjoy this seasonal dessert? Give it a rating below, and share your comments – we love hearing from you!

Looking for more rhubarb recipes? Some of these should get you salivating:

• Rhubarb Strawberry Crumble
• Rhubarb Yeast Loaf
• Big-Crumb Rhubarb Coffee Cake

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Photos by Meghan Yager, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published by Shanna Mallon on May 20th, 2010. Last updated: January 6, 2022 at 10:29 am. With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.