As a general rule, nobody takes a bite of ice cream and says, "This is disgusting." That's because when cream meets sugar, it takes real effort to go astray flavor-wise. That makes ice cream the perfect place to indulge in flights of culinary fancy. Wondering what blueberry and lavender are like together? Buttermilk and lemon? Ginger, maple, and miso? Homemade ice cream is the place to find out. Here are 20 ideas that will make your ice cream the hit of the summer.
1. Double Chocolate Liqueur Ice Cream
Because you can never go wrong with double chocolate.
Get the recipe from Pass the Sushi.
2. Buttermilk Lemon Verbena Ice Cream
As you might have guessed, lemon verbena brings a distinctive lemony herbaceousness to this light, tangy ice cream.
Get the recipe from Brooklyn Supper.
3. Toasted Coconut Ice Cream
Even if you're just making dessert for one, this toasted coconut ice cream served with a drizzle, or a generous pour, of cajeta (Mexico's version of dulce de leche) is going to make your night.
Get the recipe from Kelly Bakes.
4. Vegan Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream
Proof that vegan recipes can be adventurous too, this purple ice cream combines the somewhat unlikely flavors of blueberries and fresh lavender for some very tasty results.
Get the recipe from Tasty Yummies.
5. Cognac Medjool Date Ice Cream
Medjool dates lend their distinct caramelly sweetness to this irresistibly boozy cognac ice cream.
Get the recipe from Brooklyn Supper.
6. Vegan Coconut Raspberry Ice Cream
Coconut milk brings a creamy sweetness to this recipe for (perfectly pink) vegan raspberry ice cream.
Get the recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod.
7. Peach Cobbler Ice Cream With Texas Bourbon Caramel Sauce
Everything good packed into one amazing dessert. You're welcome.
Get the recipe from A Southern Fairytale.
8. Sour Cherry Ice Cream
Cherry ice cream is a longstanding summer favorite, and this recipe for homemade sour cherry ice cream hits the mark every time.
Get the recipe from Brooklyn Supper.
9. Pistachio Chocolate Ice Cream
Forget the green food dye, this lusciously flavored pistachio ice cream is the real deal. And, with chunks of roasted pistachios and bittersweet chocolate chips, you'll be ready to forsake the storebought stuff forever.
Get the recipe from Cook Like a Champion.
10. Satsuma Plum Ice Cream
A perfectly sweet plum can be hard to track down, but this recipe makes the most of whatever kind of plums you happen to have on hand and turns them into a tangy, lightly sweet dessert that's perfect for summer parties.
Get the recipe from Brooklyn Supper.
11. Grapefruit Curd Ice Cream
Bright grapefruit flavor and rich custard combine beautifully for a dessert that's simultaneously refreshing and decadent.
Get the recipe from Savory Simple.
12. Key Lime Pie Ice Cream
Pie. In the form of ice cream. You've got this.
Get the recipe from Cafe Johnsonia.
13. Cherry Amaretto Chip
Enjoy the simple things in life. Like cherries, amaretto, and chocolate.
Get the recipe from Cook Like a Champion.
14. Stout Ice Cream
Gourmet ice cream flavors might not be everyone's thing, but beer-flavored ice cream? Prepare to impress.
Get the recipe from Brooklyn Supper.
15. Masala Chai Ice Cream
Take your afternoon chai latte to the next level with this extravagantly spiced masala chai ice cream.
Get the recipe from A Brown Table.
16. Ginger Maple Miso Ice Cream
Miso (yes, miso) brings a delicious hit of umami to this complex, spicy, and crazy-delicious homemade ice cream.
Get the recipe from Spa Bettie.
17. Bourbon Ice Cream
Say good-bye to Jell-O shots, because the best way to get drunk on dessert is with a bowl of this surprisingly potent bourbon ice cream.
Get the recipe from Brooklyn Supper.
18. Dulce de Leche Ice Cream
Diligent research has shown that dulce de leche or any kind of caramel ice cream is the best. Facts are facts.
Get the recipe from Laylita's Recipes.
19. Old-Fashioned Tutti Frutti Ice Cream
"Tutti frutti" is a term that refers to any kind of mixed fruit ice cream. It's also a Little Richard song. And that's cool, since you'll need something to belt out as you make up a batch of this hand-churned delicacy.
Get the recipe from Cafe Johnsonia.
20. Chocolate Mint Ice Cream (No Machine Needed)
Cool, minty refreshment can be yours, even if you don't have an ice cream maker! This clever recipe uses fluffy whipped cream as its base and chills up beautifully. Never go without ice cream again!
Get the recipe from The Kitchen is My Playground.
Related:
12 Life-Changing Chocolate Cakes You Need to Make
15 Insane Things You Can Do With Buttercream
Elizabeth Stark is a food writer with a passion for seasonal food, great desserts, and inadvisable wine pairings. Read more on her blog, Brooklyn Supper.
Follow Elizabeth on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Elizabeth Stark
Elizabeth Stark is a food writer with a passion for seasonal food, great desserts, and inadvisable wine pairings. Read more on her blog, Brooklyn Supper.
