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Lavender Honey Ice Cream is a smooth, rich and creamy dessert that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance all night long. The subtle hint of lavender paired with the sweet honey is a match made in flavor heaven!
I might have stolen the lavender honey ice cream flavor idea from It’s Complicated…
I wish I could say I am just like Meryl Streep in the movie and make ice cream when I can’t sleep (talk about being productive!). Alas I am not that cool…
Instead I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering why the heck I can’t just drift off to sleep like a normal person.
Or I think about food.
Let’s be real, this is me we’re talking about.
However my staring at the ceiling thinking about food does result in some good ideas… Enter lavender honey ice cream!
Whenever I watch It’s Complicated (which, yes, is a lot), the idea of lavender honey ice cream sounded so delicate and decadent all at once.
The honey flavor is the star of this ice cream, followed by a very subtle lavender scent and flavor that lingers ever-so slightly on your tongue between bites.
I like to call this my “fancy schmancy” ice cream – it’s just begging to be the final course for a dinner party, isn’t it?
You’re going to be swooning over this lavender honey ice cream, not only because of the flavor, but also the texture…
There’s nothing like devouring a bowl full of creamy, dreamy ice cream.
After the first bite, you’ll want to lap up every. single. drop. Trust me.
Especially while watching It’s Complicated and wishing you lived in that house… I mean seriously, THAT HOUSE. It’s already pure perfection but then you add in the fact that she is making it better with an addition for an even BIGGER kitchen?! Good lord, give me that life. Like, now.
this recipe’s must-haves
Pure lavender extract and organic lavender flowers are what gives this ice cream the lovely flavor and garnish!
This ice cream maker is easy to use and doesn’t take up too much space! I’ve had mine for almost a decade now and it’s still going strong.
This ice cream scoop is my new favorite thing. The scoop has little legs on the bottom so you can set it on the counter without worrying about it getting the counter dirty.
ingredients
heavy cream. Use heavy cream to make the base of this ice cream.
milk. You will need whole milk to make the custard that makes the base of this recipe.
sugar. All you need is granulated sugar!
lavender. To flavor the custard, we use lavender extract. We also like to add a sprinkle of food grade lavender buds for a little color and texture.
honey. Honey provides the bulk of the sweetness and really gives a smooth flavor to the ice cream.
eggs. You will need the yolks from 6 large eggs!
how to make lavender honey ice cream
simmer
Combine heavy cream, whole milk, 1/8 cup granulated sugar, lavender extract, and honey in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a low boil.
make custard
While you are bringing the mixture to a low bowl, whisk together egg yolks and remaining sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Slowly pour in 1/4 cup of the warm heavy cream mixture into the egg mixture, whisking vigorously to incorporated.
Pour the egg mixture into the heavy cream mixture, whisking to combine. Continue to cook over medium heat, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon.
chill
Remove the custard base from heat and strain into a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic touches the surface of the custard. This will prevent a film from forming on top. Chill completely.
churn & chill
Add the chilled custard mixture to your ice cream machine. Churn according to manufacturer’s instructions. Add to a container or loaf pan and cover with lid or plastic wrap. Chill overnight in the freezer (or for a minimum of 7 to 8 hours), before serving.
Finally, if you make this lavender honey ice cream recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.
Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
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Lavender Honey Ice Cream
ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp lavender extract
- 1/2 cup honey
- 6 egg yolks
instructions
- In a medium saucepan, stir together heavy cream, whole milk, 1/8 cup sugar, lavender extract and honey over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a low boil.
- In a small bowl, combine egg yolks and remaining 1/8 cup sugar. Whisk together until smooth. Slowly add 1/4 cup of the heavy cream mixture to the egg mixture, whisking quickly to incorporate. Once well combined, add the egg mixture to the heavy cream mixture. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is thick and coats the back of a metal spoon.
- Remove from heat. Strain into a medium bowl and cover with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic wrap touches the surface of the custard to prevent a film from forming. Chill completely.
- Add the custard mixture to your ice cream machine. Churn the ice cream according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Chill overnight or for a minimum of 7-8 hours before serving.
Amy | Club Narwhal says
Meghan, this ice cream is absolutely GORGEOUS! I haven’t cooked with lavender before but I bet it adds such a perfect floral note to this!
Meghan B. says
Thank you Amy!! 🙂
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
It’s complicated is one of my favorite movies! I’ll have to whip up a batch of this honey lavender ice cream and watch it.
Meghan B. says
YES a fellow It’s Complicated lover!! The ice cream makes the movie even better!
Jill says
Honey + lavender is an amazing combo!Â
Did you know that in southern france they really don’t cook with lavender? My fam there thinks it’s so weird!
Meghan B. says
That is SO weird! You would think they would cook with it all the time!
Ashley says
Honey is one of my very favorite flavors and with the lavender??? This is so fun and different!
LeAndra says
I love this flavor combination Meghan. I also learned something from the comments – no cooking with lavender in southern France?! That is interesting!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
I absolutely ADORE this flavor combination you’ve got going on! And I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never seen It’s Complicated, so I clearly need to jump on that bandwagon. Because like you and Meryl’s character, I think of food when I can’t sleep. Or make food, depending on how bad the insomnia is. 😉
Hooray for middle-of-the-night inspiration and gorgeous, unique ice cream flavors!
Rose says
If you don’t have an ice cream machine, does it make a good custard?
Meghan B. says
Yes, it could definitely make a good custard! You’ll just want to make sure it gets nice and thick for you on the stove, then it should set in the fridge or freezer for you.
Amanda says
Thank you for creating this recipe. I googled lavender honey ice cream because I was watching it’s complicated and thought it sounded so delightful! I can’t wait to make this!
Meghan B. says
YES! LOVE that movie (obviously since it was the inspiration for making this recipe, haha)! I hope you enjoy it – it’s heavenly 🙂
Tirzah says
Where do you find lavendar extract?
Meghan B. says
I found mine at Savory Spice Shop, but you can usually find it at Whole Foods or other specialty spice shops. You can also order it from Amazon if you want!
Anjali says
Hey! How can I substitute lavender extract with dried lavender? Thanks!
Meghan Y. says
Unfortunately I don’t know of a way to substitute lavender extract with dried lavender… I would recommend using the extract!
Gauri says
I can so relate to your post about the Movie, the honey lavender ice cream and that gorgeous house. So good to find like minded people. I have always been wondering about the honey lavender flavour. I tried searching for a recipe but no luck, untill I stumbled upon your post. Will definitely try the recipe.Â
Meghan Y. says
I hope you enjoy it!