Name: Honey Lavender Ice Cream Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/3 cup honey; 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers; 1 quart half and half; 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; Optional: violet gel food coloring

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

This honey lavender ice cream offers a delicate floral twist on a classic creamy dessert. Infused with fragrant lavender and sweet honey, it’s perfect for a refreshing treat on warm days or a unique dessert to impress guests.

The image shows a white round bowl filled with four scoops of light purple ice cream, each scoop smooth but slightly rough in texture. The ice cream is topped with small dried green and brown herb sprinkles, scattered evenly across the scoops. Behind the bowl, there are fresh green leaves and light purple flowers that match the ice cream in color. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a blurred background of purple flowers and green leaves. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
1 quart half and half
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Optional: violet gel food coloring

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine honey, dried lavender flowers, and half and half. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then remove from heat.
Step 2: Cover the saucepan and let the mixture steep for 15 minutes to infuse the lavender flavor.
Step 3: Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove the lavender flowers, then refrigerate the infused half and half until completely cold, about 8 hours or overnight.
Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chilled lavender-infused half and half, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and violet gel food coloring if using.
Step 5: Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency.
Step 6: Transfer the ice cream to a container and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a stronger lavender flavor, increase the dried lavender to 1 1/2 tablespoons, but be careful not to overpower the sweetness.
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow container and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes until firm.
Use honey from a mild flower source to keep the flavor balanced and prevent bitterness.
Add a handful of crushed honeycomb candy for a crunchy texture variation.

Storage

Store honey lavender ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. To soften before serving, let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes or warm the scoop slightly with a spoon.

How to Serve

This image shows a white bowl filled with four scoops of light purple ice cream. The scoops are smooth and creamy, stacked closely but not perfectly shaped, creating a rounded mound. The top scoop is sprinkled with small dried lavender buds, adding a greenish-brown texture on the purple surface. In the background, there are blurred sprigs of real lavender flowers with green leaves, all resting on a white marbled surface covered by a floral fabric with small purple and blue flowers. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried?

Yes, but use about twice the amount of fresh lavender since it is less concentrated. Make sure the flowers are edible and pesticide-free.

Is it necessary to refrigerate the mixture before churning?

Yes, chilling the infused half and half mixture ensures the ice cream churns properly and develops a smooth texture.