Emma's Lavender Ice Cream Recipe

I know lavender is probably suppose to be a spring thing, but, what can I say? Sometimes the mood strikes. Lavender is one of those flavors that I originally didn't care for. Elsie started getting into lavender flavored things, and I just wasn't all that interested. Sounded like it would taste like perfume? Eventually she got me to try a lavender latte. And I liked it. And then I tried lavender ice cream at our favorite local ice cream shop. And I was smitten. I don't think I can make it quite as good as they do, but I wanted to try and make my own homemade version.
Lavender Ice Cream, makes about 3/4 quart (two of the small containers pictured)

1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons lavender buds
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
red + blue food dye to color (optional)

First begin heating up the milk with the lavender buds for 5-6 minutes over low/medium heat. You don't really want the milk to start boiling, but you do want to seep/infuse the lavender flavor into the milk. Taste a small spoonful and—when ready—strain the buds out of the milk and return the milk to the heat.

Combine the sugar with the lavender. Whisk together and warm over low heat. In another bowl whisk together the egg yolks. Pour a few tablespoons of the hot milk mixture in with the egg yolks and stir. Once the egg yolk mixture is tempered add it to the pot of warm milk. Whisk to combine. Continue cooking over low/medium heat until it thickens. Turn the heat off and remove the pot from the burner, add in the whipping cream. Stir to combine. Add food coloring if you want your ice cream to be a little more purple. Pour into an air tight container and refrigerate overnight. Pour in to your ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer directions for use.
My ice cream maker usually produces ice cream that has a soft serve texture. So I then put my ice cream in an air tight container and freeze for a few hours until I get a more ice cream consistency. Just a preference thing/tip. :) If you find that you want more lavender flavor feel free to add more buds during the seeping process. Give it a try! xo. Emma

Comments

[Becky]

Interesting! I use lavender in sachets to freshen up my bag and closet, but I've never tried them in ice cream (or lattes) before.

[Kate]

Yum! I've really been meaning to try ice cream making lately, I'll have to put this on my list!

http://whiskeybreakfast.blogspot.com

[Margherita]

This is a very Provence ice cream flavor. I'm intrigued to taste it!

http://www.theironyou.com

[Sarah]

Sounds delicious! A restaurant here in Providence that I love makes lavender panna cotta in the summer it's to die for; this may hold me over in the mean time! In the second paragraph when you say add the sugar to the lavender, do you mean add the sugar to the lavender milk mixture? Just want to clarify! Thanks!

[Chloe Moon]

I have never made ice cream before or tried lavender ice cream...this sounds delicious I might have to try!

http://chloemoonergo.blogspot.com

[laurel]

Yum! love lavender.

[Denisa]

Yummy, yummy, Like always perfect.

http://www.fashiondenis.com/

[Vicki]

I have no idea what lavender tastes like...seems interesting. I'd love to try it!

[Yelle]

Yum yum yum! I cannot wait to try this! Lavender is one of my favorite flavors.

[melissa]

I've been day dreaming of ice cream sandwiches all day and night! These look delicious!!

Melissa
http://shakeshakee.blogspot.com

[Well Living Blog]

WOW this looks delicious !

XX Luba

:: Well Living Blog ::
http://very-well-living.blogspot.com

[Adriane /// The A & B Stories]

Mmm, definitely going to try this one!

[Tyler Anne Snell]

Yummy!! I'm so excited for this!

[Joy]

Wow, weird. I've never really seen lavender used like this before, perhaps you'd also share the latte recipe? I'm not a big ice cream person. But it DOES sound intriguing.

[Daisy Nguyen]

This sounds LOVELY. I LOVE a good ice cream - reminds me of those boutique ice cream parlours - they ALWAYS have the best flavors! Thanks for the recipe!

XOXO
-Daisy Nguyen from the PS BANANAS! fashion blog: http://psbananas.com

[Carlee]

I have never tried lavender ice cream but this recipe looks really yummy.
Carlee
http://almostendearing.blogspot.com/

[Suset Garcia]

I absoutely love lavender ice cream. It is one of my favorite scents and the first time I tried it in California, I fell in love. I've also had rose ice cream. Thanks for the recipe!

[Nikki]

I love lavender ice cream! It's delicious! I hope your having a great Friday!

Nikki
www.thecraftysideofsarcasm.com

[kate hopkins]

Lavender season is generally around late summer, but it dries super well so it's pretty much seasonally appropriate at any time. I have had lavender ice cream- from the Moo Thru, a local sustainable dairy farmer's super awesome business (drive through ice cream) A friend made me a lavender chamomile honey toddy recently it was possibly the best drink I've ever had (which is truly saying something)

[Rachel]

Oh my gooooodness, this just made my day, I LOVE lavender-flavored food! Yum yum yum.