Cherry Garcia Ice Cream Recipe
A homemade version of the beloved Ben & Jerry’s classic, this Cherry Garcia ice cream blends creamy cherry-flavored ice cream with juicy cherry pieces and rich chocolate chunks. Perfect for cherry and chocolate lovers, this recipe is a delightful treat that’s easier to make than you might think!
Equipment
- Ice cream maker (or mixing bowls for no-churn method)
- Blender or food processor (for cherry puree)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or spatula
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Freezer-safe container
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and chopped
- 2 tablespoons sugar (plus extra for macerating cherries)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chunks or flakes
Instructions
- Macerate the cherries: In a small bowl, toss the chopped cherries with 2 tablespoons sugar and lemon juice. Let sit for 20–30 minutes to release juices and intensify flavor.
- Prepare the ice cream base: In a mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until sugar dissolves. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Churn the ice cream: Pour the chilled base into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually about 25–30 minutes).
- Add mix-ins: During the last 5 minutes of churning, add the macerated cherries and chocolate chunks to evenly incorporate.
- Freeze: Transfer the soft ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
- Serve: Let sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before scooping for the best texture.
- No-churn option: Whip 2 cups heavy cream to stiff peaks, gently fold in 1 can sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, macerated cherries, and chocolate chunks. Freeze in a container for at least 4 hours.
Notes
- Use tart cherries for the best balance of flavor; sweet cherries will make the ice cream sweeter.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut milk cream and use dairy-free chocolate.
- Macerating cherries enhances their flavor and softens them for a better texture in the ice cream.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, try the no-churn method described above.
- Store ice cream in an airtight container to avoid freezer burn and maintain texture.