Description
This creamy, indulgent homemade Cherry Garcia ice cream captures the perfect blend of sweet cherries and rich chocolate chunks. Inspired by the beloved Ben & Jerry’s classic, this custard-based ice cream is packed with flavor, easy to customize for dietary preferences, and perfect for summer days or anytime cravings. With a luxurious texture and vibrant taste, it’s sure to become your new favorite frozen treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pitted and chopped cherries
- ½ cup dark chocolate chunks
Optional Enhancements:
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon cherry liqueur
- Crushed nuts (almonds or pecans)
- Alternative sweeteners (honey, maple syrup, or erythritol)
- Dairy-free substitutes (coconut cream, plant-based milk, vegan chocolate)
Instructions
- Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a saucepan, heat heavy cream and whole milk over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.
- In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick.
- Gradually whisk some of the hot cream into the egg mixture to temper it.
- Return the egg mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard coats the back of a spoon.
- Strain the custard into a clean bowl, stir in vanilla extract, and chill over the prepared ice bath until fully cooled.
- Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer instructions.
- During the last few minutes of churning, fold in chopped cherries and chocolate chunks.
- Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.
Notes
- Chill the custard fully before churning to avoid ice crystals.
- For a cherry swirl, simmer chopped cherries with sugar and lemon juice until syrupy, cool, then swirl into churned ice cream.
- Press parchment paper directly onto the surface of the ice cream to prevent freezer burn.
- Let ice cream sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before scooping for best texture.
- No ice cream maker? Use a no-churn method with whipped cream and condensed milk.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churned
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 105mg