Name: Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 6 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups heavy cream; 1 cup whole milk; ½ cup honey; 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender; 5 large egg yolks; ¼ teaspoon salt; optional purple food coloring for visual appeal

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Imagine a scoop of creamy, dreamy Honey Lavender Ice Cream melting slowly on your tongue—sweet floral notes mingling with rich honey in a luxuriously smooth base. This elegant frozen treat is perfect for summer celebrations or simply savoring a quiet moment of self-care. Crisp purple hues and subtle fragrances come together in every bite, making this Honey Lavender Ice Cream a treat that delights all the senses. If you’re craving a truly unique dessert that tastes as delightful as it looks, this recipe is your ticket to pure bliss.

Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Just a handful of simple pantry staples transform into something magical here! Each ingredient plays a key role, lending its own nuance—richness, sweetness, fragrance, or that signature creamy texture. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need for the perfect Honey Lavender Ice Cream.

Heavy cream: Provides the velvety, luscious foundation that makes this ice cream irresistible.
Whole milk: Lightens the base just enough for a scoopable texture while preserving creamy richness.
Honey: Natural sweetness and a gentle floral note—choose your favorite variety for personalized flavor.
Dried culinary lavender: The secret star! Use only culinary-grade to avoid bitterness and achieve the right fragrant pop.
Large egg yolks: These give the ice cream its plush, custardy body, keeping each bite ultra-smooth.
Salt: Just a whisper enhances the honey and lavender, making all the flavors bloom.
Purple food coloring (optional): For that signature dreamy lavender hue—just a drop or two makes your ice cream pop visually!

How to Make Honey Lavender Ice Cream

Step 1: Infuse the Cream with Lavender

In a medium saucepan, pour the milk, heavy cream, and dried lavender together. Set the pan over medium heat and watch closely—your kitchen will start to fill with the heady scent of lavender! Warm the mixture until it’s steaming but not bubbling. Take it off the heat, cover, and let the lavender infuse the cream for 15 to 20 minutes, drawing out those beautiful floral flavors without overpowering the base.

Step 2: Strain the Lavender

Time for a quick flavor check! Pour the infused mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl to strain out the lavender buds. This guarantees your ice cream will have a perfectly smooth, petal-free texture. Return the strained liquid to the saucepan—every bit of floral aroma captured and ready to shine.

Step 3: Whisk the Egg Yolks and Honey

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, honey, and salt. Don’t rush this step—the more you blend, the silkier your base will be. The honey will dissolve into the yolks, creating a thick ribbon that’s both sweet and deeply golden.

Step 4: Temper the Eggs

This is the secret to creamy custard ice cream! Slowly pour about 1 cup of the warm lavender cream into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly. This gentle tempering warms up the eggs without scrambling them. Once combined, pour the mixture back into your saucepan with the rest of the infused cream.

Step 5: Cook Until Thickened

Return the pan to medium heat. Stir gently but constantly with a wooden spoon, scraping the bottom so nothing sticks. In about 5 to 7 minutes, the custard will thicken just enough to coat the back of your spoon—do not let it come to a boil! This step is where all the magic happens, ensuring your Honey Lavender Ice Cream will be rich and scoopable.

Step 6: Strain and Color (Optional)

Strain the mixture one more time for good measure—this step guarantees an extra silky texture in the finished ice cream. If you want that signature dreamy hue, stir in a drop or two of purple food coloring until you reach your desired shade. The color makes this dessert truly pop on any table!

Step 7: Chill the Custard

Pour your finished custard into a bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator. This step is not to be skipped—the colder your base, the smoother your churned Honey Lavender Ice Cream will be. Leave it for at least 4 hours, or even overnight if you can resist the aroma!

Step 8: Churn and Freeze

Once the custard is completely cold, churn it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Watch as the dreamy base thickens and fluffs into scoopable perfection. Once finished, transfer your ice cream to a container and freeze for at least 2 hours to set. The hardest part is waiting!

How to Serve Honey Lavender Ice Cream

Garnishes

Garnishing really lets your Honey Lavender Ice Cream shine. Sprinkle a few dried lavender buds or edible flowers on top for a truly elegant finish, or drizzle over a bit of extra honey for a glossy touch that catches the light. Even a scatter of crushed pistachios or white chocolate curls can add delightful texture and color contrast.

Side Dishes

This floral ice cream pairs beautifully with buttery shortbread cookies or slices of fresh lemon loaf. For a springtime twist, try it alongside fresh berries or stone fruit—think juicy peaches or ripe blueberries. Each bite amplifies the gentle perfume of the lavender and the sweetness of honey.

Creative Ways to Present

Transform your Honey Lavender Ice Cream into a showstopper by serving it in vintage coupe glasses or waffle bowls for a touch of nostalgia. If you’re entertaining, consider layering it with whipped cream and fruit in elegant parfait glasses, or sandwiching it between macarons for a stunning afternoon treat. Don’t forget to serve with a sprig of lavender or a twist of lemon zest for extra flair!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Honey Lavender Ice Cream in a tightly sealed container in your freezer to preserve its aromatic bouquet and creamy texture. Press a layer of parchment paper or wax paper directly against the surface to prevent ice crystals from forming, so each scoop remains as dreamy as the first.

Freezing

This ice cream keeps beautifully in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Just be sure to let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before scooping, as the custard base tends to firm up more than store-bought varieties. The flavors mellow and meld over time—if anything, your Honey Lavender Ice Cream will taste even more enchanting after a few days!

Reheating

Since this is a frozen treat, there’s no need for reheating. But if it’s gotten a bit too firm, simply let your container warm up on the counter for several minutes before serving. A gentle stir can bring back that creamy, hand-churned texture before you dive in.

FAQs

Can I make Honey Lavender Ice Cream without an ice cream maker?

Absolutely! While churning does guarantee the creamiest texture, you can pour the chilled custard into a shallow dish, freeze, and stir every 30 minutes for a couple of hours. The texture might be a bit denser but trust me, it’ll still taste like a scoop of summer.

What kind of honey works best?

Look for a fragrant, light-colored honey like clover or wildflower for a delicate sweetness that lets the lavender shine. Avoid strong, dark honeys as they can overpower the lovely floral notes in your ice cream.

How do I avoid a bitter taste?

Only use dried, culinary-grade lavender and measure carefully. A little goes a long way—start with less if you’re unsure, then gently increase to find your ideal flavor balance. The right amount brings out a gentle perfume without any bitterness.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Swap the dairy for full-fat coconut milk and use a vegan honey alternative or agave. Use plant-based yolk substitutes or simply chill and churn the custard as a non-custard ice cream for a lighter texture.

Can I add more color to my Honey Lavender Ice Cream?

Definitely! Food-grade purple coloring is totally optional, but it adds a beautiful pastel hue reminiscent of blooming lavender fields. Add one drop at a time and stir well to achieve your desired shade without overdoing it.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how easy it is to bring this elegant Honey Lavender Ice Cream to life, I hope you’re inspired to try it at home. Whether you’re sharing with friends or sneaking just one more scoop for yourself, this recipe is guaranteed to bring smiles—and a hint of floral magic—to every occasion. Let your kitchen be filled with the scent of lavender and the joy of homemade ice cream!

Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 6 hours
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the delicate floral flavors of this homemade Honey Lavender Ice Cream. Creamy, sweet honey combines with fragrant dried lavender for a delightful frozen treat that’s perfect for a hot summer day.

Ingredients

Scale

For the ice cream:

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
½ cup honey
2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
5 large egg yolks
¼ teaspoon salt
optional purple food coloring for visual appeal

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Instructions

Infuse the cream: Combine milk, heavy cream, and dried lavender in a saucepan. Steep, strain, and return to heat.
Prepare the custard: Whisk egg yolks, honey, and salt. Temper with warm cream, then cook until thickened.
Chill and churn: Chill custard, churn in an ice cream maker, then freeze before serving.