Trying new ice cream flavors at home is something that I love to do as soon as the weather gets warm each year. And getting an ice cream maker was a must as soon as I entered the “real world” after college.
It was actually one of the first appliances I gifted to myself.
One of the main indulgences I always make room for is ice cream. My obsession started when I was a little girl, thanks in part to my grandfather.
Both he and I had a major sweet tooth. At every family gathering, you would find the two of us sneaking chocolates and candies before the meal even started. But our true love, for both of us, was ice cream.
We would enjoy it at the end of every meal eaten together, even if there were other desserts around. A scoop of ice cream was just a must for my grandpa, and he always made sure that I got in on the action as well.
This love has followed me throughout the years. When I started making ice cream and gelato from scratch at home, I realized this was one of the best culinary moves of my life.
Why bother buying it from the store when you can make it at home, with simple ingredients? Not only are you saving a bit of money, you can customize the flavors to feature whatever you like.
That’s one of the reasons I love this homemade peach ice cream. Every store bought version I’ve tried has been underwhelming, and I feel like the peach flavor is never good enough. I want to feel like I am taking a big, juicy bite of the fruit!
This particular recipe knocks it out of the park with its simplicity, delicious flavor, and excellent texture. Talk about creamy – the mixture of whole milk and half and half makes it luscious and indulgent. And using fresh, ripe peaches really gives you a burst of flavor that cannot be beat by any store brand.
I personally like to puree my peaches for this dessert because it really incorporates the flavor of the stone fruit into every single lick. However, if you prefer little chunks of fruit throughout, you can simply chop the peaches instead of pureeing them in the blender, and fold the fruit into the soft base after churning. It’s fantastic both ways.
For me, there’s no need to add any toppings to this because it’s ideal as is – sweet and fruity, creamy, and satisfying. But if you want a fun idea for how else to serve it, keep reading through to the end of the article for my top tip!
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Homemade Peach Ice Cream
- Total Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups (8 servings) 1x
Description
Fresh, homemade peach ice cream tastes just like biting into a ripe piece of fruit. Nothing says summer like this cold, creamy treat.
Ingredients
- 3 cups peeled and sliced ripe peaches
- 1 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Prepare your ice cream maker as needed, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Place sliced peaches into a blender and blend until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and turn the blender on for just a few seconds to combine thoroughly.
- Pour the base into the freezer bowl of an ice cream maker. Turn on and follow the manufacturer’s directions.
- Once the churned mixture is thick, transfer to a freezer safe container and place in the freezer for about 2 hours, or until it’s scoopable. Serve and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Ice Cream
- Method: Ice Cream Maker/Freezer
- Cuisine: Dessert
Keywords: ice cream, peach
Cooking By the Numbers…
Step 1 – Prepare Peaches and Measure Ingredients
Make sure you have prepared the freezer bowl of your ice cream maker by placing it in the freezer for 24 hours ahead of time, or as described by the manufacturer.
Peel and slice enough ripe peaches to have 3 cups total. I used 3 large peaches. If you prefer chunks of fruit throughout your frozen dessert instead, chop the fruit into small pieces.
Measure out all of the remaining ingredients as listed on the ingredients list.
Step 2 – Blend
Add the sliced peaches to the blender and blend until smooth.
Add the remaining ingredients. Blend until everything is combined. This will only take a few seconds.
Step 3 – Churn and Freeze
Pour the mixture into the freezer bowl. Turn on your machine and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions. This will typically take about 25 to 30 minutes.
Gently fold in the reserved chopped fruit now.
Transfer the churned mixture to a freezer safe container. Freeze for at least 2 hours, or until it reaches your desired consistency and can be scooped. Serve.
Can I Use Canned Peaches for This Recipe?
I do not recommend using canned peaches for this recipe. Peaches canned in syrup will be way too sweet, and the texture will also be thrown off so the final result won’t be as creamy and luscious.
Fresh, ripe peaches are definitely the way to go with this recipe.
If you only have frozen peaches available, on the other hand, you can use those as an alternative. Be sure to thaw and drain them well before using in the recipe.
Can I Make a Milkshake with This Ice Cream?
If you have some left over and want to make a milkshake, I highly recommend giving this a try! It’s so refreshing on a hot day. Simply add a couple scoops to a blender with about a half a cup of milk.
Blend it all together, and add more milk if you wish to achieve your desired texture. Then stick a straw in it and enjoy.
For more homemade ice cream recipes, try these fantastic fruity flavors from Foodal next:
- Dairy-Free Cherry Dark Chocolate Coconut Milk
- No-Churn Pomegranate Orange
- Strawberry Walnut Chocolate Chunk
Do you like to enjoy your homemade frozen creations in a cup or a cone? Tell us in the comments below. Once you try the recipe, be sure to come back and rate it.
Photos by Meghan Yager, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published on July 17, 2012. Last updated on April 22, 2021. 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.
About Meghan Yager
Meghan Yager is a food addict turned food and travel writer with a love for creating uncomplicated, gourmet recipes and devouring anything the world serves up. As the author of the food and travel blog Cake 'n Knife, Meghan focuses on unique foodie experiences from around the world to right at home in your own kitchen.
