The Ultimate Peach Ice Cream Recipe ; Creamy, Fresh & 5-Ingredient Easy

There's nothing quite like the taste of summer captured in a scoop of peach ice cream recipe that brings back memories of lazy afternoons and sweet moments. This homemade peach ice cream recipe transforms fresh, juicy peaches into the creamiest frozen dessert you'll ever taste, and trust me, once you try making your own peach ice cream recipe, you'll never go back to store-bought versions.

What makes this peach ice cream recipe so special is its simplicity and the way it lets the natural sweetness of ripe peaches shine through every bite. With just five basic ingredients and no complicated techniques, this peach ice cream recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen.

Bowl of homemade peach ice cream recipe with peach slices on a white marble counter

The Story Behind This Beloved Summer Treat

Peach ice cream has been a cherished American dessert since the 1800s, when fresh peaches were abundant during summer months and families gathered to churn ice cream by hand. This peach ice cream recipe pays homage to that tradition while making the process much easier for modern home cooks. The combination of sweet, fragrant peaches with rich cream creates a flavor profile that's both nostalgic and irresistible.

What sets this peach ice cream recipe apart from others is the technique of macerating the peaches first, which draws out their natural juices and intensifies the peachy flavor throughout the entire batch. This peach ice cream recipe also works beautifully as a base for other summer desserts, pairing perfectly with warm cobblers, fresh berries, or even as a topping for homemade waffles.

Jump to:

Ingredients
Instructions
Expert Cooking Tips
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Equipment Recommendations
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Grandma's Secret That Changed Everything
FAQ
Sweet Endings and More Delicious Treats
Related
Pairing
Peach Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients

Fresh Peaches

Ripe peaches (peeled and diced)

Dairy Base

Heavy whipping cream
Whole milk

Sweeteners & Flavor

Granulated sugar
Pure vanilla extract
Salt

Fresh peaches, cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla on a white marble counter

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare the Peaches

Bring a large pot of water to boil and prepare an ice bath in a separate bowl
Score an "X" on the bottom of each peach with a sharp knife
Blanch peaches in boiling water for 30-60 seconds until skins start to loosen
Transfer immediately to ice bath using a slotted spoon
Once cooled, peel off skins easily with your fingers
Dice peaches into small, uniform pieces and place in a mixing bowl
Toss diced peaches with ¼ cup sugar and let macerate for 30 minutes

Create the Ice Cream Base

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together remaining sugar, salt, and vanilla extract
Slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking continuously to prevent lumps
Add whole milk and whisk until mixture is completely smooth
Taste and adjust sweetness if needed, remembering that frozen desserts taste less sweet

Combine and Churn

Fold the macerated peaches and their juices into the cream mixture
Pour entire mixture into your ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions
Churn for 20-25 minutes until mixture reaches soft-serve consistency
For a smoother texture, blend half the peaches before adding to the base

Freeze and Serve

Let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving for easier scooping
Transfer churned ice cream to an airtight container
Press plastic wrap directly onto surface to prevent ice crystals
Freeze for at least 4 hours for scoopable consistency

Diced ripe peaches in a bowl with peach skins on the counter

Step 1: Prepare the Peaches
Dice peeled peaches after blanching for the ice cream mix.

Bowl of creamy ice cream base with whisk and ingredients on counter

Step 2: Create the Ice Cream Base
Whisk cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla into a smooth base.

Peach ice cream churning in an ice cream maker

Step 3: Combine and Churn
Churn peach mixture until soft-serve texture is reached.

Pan of homemade peach ice cream ready for freezing

Step 4: Freeze and Serve
Freeze churned ice cream until firm before serving.

Expert Cooking Tips

Choose the Right Peaches Select peaches that give slightly when pressed near the stem end. The skin should have a golden undertone, and they should smell fragrant and peachy at room temperature.
Temperature Matters Chill your ice cream maker bowl for at least 24 hours before use. The colder the bowl, the better your ice cream will freeze and the smoother the final texture will be.
Prevent Ice Crystals Adding a tablespoon of corn syrup or honey to your peach ice cream recipe helps prevent ice crystal formation and keeps the texture creamy even after extended freezing.
Texture Control For chunky ice cream, dice peaches into larger pieces. For smoother ice cream, puree half the peaches before adding to the base.
Flavor Enhancement A pinch of cinnamon or cardamom can add warmth and complexity to your ice cream without overwhelming the delicate peach flavor.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

Dietary Modifications

Dairy-Free Version Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use cashew milk instead of regular milk. The coconut adds richness while letting peach flavors shine through this adapted peach ice cream recipe.
Sugar-Free Option Substitute sugar with erythritol or stevia, using about ¾ the amount called for in the original recipe. Monk fruit sweetener also works well and doesn't leave an aftertaste.

Creative Flavor Combinations

Peach Cobbler Ice Cream Add ½ cup crumbled oatmeal cookies and a teaspoon of cinnamon to create a dessert that tastes like summer in a bowl.
Peach Bourbon Ice Cream Stir in 2 tablespoons bourbon during the last few minutes of churning for an adult twist on this classic flavor.
Peach Basil Ice Cream Infuse the cream base with fresh basil leaves for 30 minutes before straining and proceeding with the recipe.

Texture Variations

No-Churn Method Whip 2 cups heavy cream to stiff peaks, then fold in sweetened condensed milk and pureed peaches. Freeze in a loaf pan for 6 hours, stirring every 2 hours for the first 4 hours.
Gelato Style Use more milk than cream (1.5 cups milk to ½ cup cream) and churn at a slower speed for a denser, more intense flavor.

Equipment Recommendations

Essential Tools

Ice Cream Maker A quality ice cream maker is crucial for this peach ice cream recipe. Cuisinart and Breville make excellent home models that produce consistently smooth results.
High-Speed Blender For pureeing peaches and creating smooth bases, a Vitamix or similar high-powered blender works best.
Fine-Mesh Strainer Useful for removing peach skins or creating ultra-smooth bases by straining out any lumps.

Budget-Friendly Alternatives

Manual Churning Use the freezer bag method: place mixture in a quart-sized bag, seal in a gallon bag with ice and salt, then shake vigorously for 15-20 minutes.
Stand Mixer Bowl Freeze your stand mixer bowl overnight and use the whisk attachment to churn the mixture, stopping to scrape sides every 5 minutes.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Proper Storage Techniques

Short-Term Storage Store your finished peach ice cream recipe in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface. This prevents ice crystals and maintains creamy texture for up to one week.
Long-Term Freezing For storage beyond one week, wrap the container in aluminum foil for extra protection. Properly stored ice cream maintains quality for up to three months.

Make-Ahead Tips

Prep Components Prepare and macerate peaches up to one day ahead, storing them covered in the refrigerator. The cream base can also be made a day in advance and chilled.
Batch Making Double the recipe and freeze in smaller containers for individual servings. This works especially well when peaches are at peak season and abundantly available.

Serving Suggestions

Thawing for Service Remove ice cream from freezer 5-10 minutes before serving for easier scooping. In hot weather, this may only take 2-3 minutes.t stand up well to freezing for X days/weeks/months.

Grandma's Secret That Changed Everything

The secret that transformed my ordinary ice cream into something extraordinary came from my grandmother's handwritten recipe card, tucked away in her wooden recipe box for decades. She always added a tablespoon of cream cheese to her peach ice cream recipe, which might sound unusual, but it creates an incredibly rich, velvety texture that commercial ice creams simply can't match.

This small addition prevents ice crystals from forming and gives the ice cream a luxurious mouthfeel that makes every spoonful feel like a special occasion. The cream cheese doesn't affect the peachy flavor at all; instead, it acts as a secret weapon that elevates your homemade peach ice cream recipe from good to absolutely unforgettable, just like the summer memories it helps create.

FAQ

What is the secret to making ice cream very creamy?

The secret to ultra-creamy peach ice cream recipe lies in using the right fat content (at least 35% heavy cream), properly chilling your ingredients and equipment, and adding a small amount of corn syrup or cream cheese to prevent ice crystal formation. Churning at the correct speed and not over-churning also maintains smoothness.

Do you peel peaches for ice cream?

Yes, peeling peaches for your peach ice cream recipe creates a smoother texture and prevents tough skin pieces from interrupting the creamy consistency. Blanching in boiling water for 30 seconds makes peeling effortless and ensures the best possible texture in your finished ice cream.

What is the viral peach ice cream made of?

The viral peach ice cream recipe typically consists of fresh peaches, heavy cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. What makes it special is the technique of macerating the peaches first to intensify flavor and using the perfect cream-to-milk ratio for optimal texture and taste.

What is the best milk for homemade ice cream?

Whole milk with 3.25% fat content works best for peach ice cream recipe because it provides richness without being too heavy. The fat content helps create smooth texture while allowing the peach flavor to shine through. Avoid skim or low-fat milk as they can create icy textures.

Sweet Endings and More Delicious Treats

This peach ice cream recipe captures everything wonderful about summer in every creamy, peachy bite. Whether you're serving it at a backyard barbecue, enjoying it as an afternoon treat, or making it the star of your dessert table, this peach ice cream recipe never fails to impress both family and friends.

The beauty of mastering this peach ice cream recipe is that it opens doors to endless creative possibilities and gives you the confidence to experiment with other seasonal fruits throughout the year. If you're looking for more indulgent dessert recipes to complement your homemade ice cream, try our rich White Chocolate Pudding Recipe or our decadent Chocolate Flan Recipe for a complete sweet ending to any meal.

Sweetly yours
By Lisa Johnson💛

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