Indulge in the creamy, dreamy delight of strawberry cheesecake ice cream. This homemade treat combines the rich flavors of cream cheese and graham crackers with the fresh, fruity burst of strawberries. Perfect for a warm day or as a special dessert, this ice cream is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common, you might need to ensure you have cream cheese and graham crackers on hand. These items can be found in the dairy and snack aisles of your local supermarket. Fresh strawberries are also essential and can usually be found in the produce section.
Ingredients For Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Heavy cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the ice cream.
Whole milk: Provides a smooth texture and helps balance the creaminess.
Sugar: Sweetens the ice cream and enhances the flavors.
Cream cheese: Gives the ice cream its signature cheesecake flavor and creamy texture.
Strawberries: Adds a fresh, fruity flavor and natural sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of vanilla.
Graham crackers: Adds a delightful crunch and mimics the crust of a cheesecake.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To achieve a smoother texture in your strawberry cheesecake ice cream, ensure that the cream cheese is fully softened before blending. This prevents lumps and ensures a creamy consistency. Additionally, for a more intense strawberry flavor, consider macerating the chopped strawberries with a tablespoon of sugar for about 15 minutes before adding them to the ice cream mixture. This will draw out their natural juices and enhance the overall taste.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream provides a rich and creamy texture similar to heavy cream and adds a subtle coconut flavor.
whole milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a lighter alternative that can still provide a creamy base for the ice cream.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can add a natural sweetness and a slightly different flavor profile to the ice cream.
softened cream cheese - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt offers a tangy flavor and creamy texture, making it a healthier alternative to cream cheese.
chopped strawberries - Substitute with raspberries: Raspberries provide a similar tartness and sweetness, adding a different berry flavor to the ice cream.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract gives a nutty and sweet flavor that can complement the other ingredients well.
crushed graham crackers - Substitute with crushed digestive biscuits: Digestive biscuits have a similar texture and flavor, making them a good alternative to graham crackers.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Ice Cream
How To Store / Freeze This Ice Cream
- Ensure your strawberry cheesecake ice cream is stored in an airtight container to prevent any unwanted flavors from seeping in and to maintain its creamy texture.
- For the best results, use a container that is specifically designed for freezing desserts. These containers often have a tight seal and are made from materials that can withstand low temperatures.
- Before placing the container in the freezer, press a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper directly onto the surface of the ice cream. This will help prevent ice crystals from forming, keeping your treat smooth and scoopable.
- Store the ice cream in the coldest part of your freezer, usually the back, to ensure it remains at a consistent temperature. Avoid placing it near the door where temperature fluctuations are more common.
- If you plan to store the ice cream for an extended period, consider labeling the container with the date it was made. Homemade ice cream is best enjoyed within 1-2 weeks for optimal flavor and texture.
- When you're ready to serve, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly. This will make scooping easier and enhance the creamy consistency.
- If you find that your ice cream has become too hard, you can place it in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes before serving. This will allow it to soften just enough without melting.
- For an added touch of indulgence, consider topping your strawberry cheesecake ice cream with extra chopped strawberries or a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers just before serving. This not only enhances the flavor but also adds a delightful texture contrast.
How To Reheat Leftovers
- First, take your strawberry cheesecake ice cream out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes. This will soften it slightly, making it easier to scoop and enjoy.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, you can place the ice cream in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. This allows it to soften evenly without melting too much.
- For a quick softening method, you can microwave the ice cream on a low power setting (30% power) for 10-15 seconds. Be cautious not to overdo it, as you don't want to melt the ice cream completely.
- If you have a warm water bath, you can place the container of ice cream in it for a few minutes. Make sure the water level is below the lid to prevent any water from seeping in.
- Another creative method is to use a hot spoon. Run a metal spoon under hot water for a few seconds, then use it to scoop the ice cream. The heat from the spoon will help soften the ice cream as you scoop.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Blender: Used to combine heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Ice cream maker: Essential for churning the blended mixture into ice cream according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and chopped strawberries.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract precisely.
Mixing bowl: Handy for holding the chopped strawberries and crushed graham crackers before adding them to the ice cream.
Spatula: Useful for transferring the ice cream mixture from the blender to the ice cream maker and later to the container.
Freezer-safe container: Needed to store the ice cream in the freezer for at least 4 hours before serving.
Knife: Required for chopping the strawberries.
Cutting board: Provides a surface for chopping the strawberries.
Rolling pin: Can be used to crush the graham crackers if they are not pre-crushed.
Plastic bag: Useful for placing the graham crackers inside before crushing them with the rolling pin.
How to Save Time on Making This Ice Cream
Soften the cream cheese quickly: Leave cream cheese out at room temperature for 30 minutes or microwave it for 10-15 seconds.
Pre-chill the ice cream maker: Ensure your ice cream maker bowl is fully frozen before starting to save time on churning.
Use pre-crushed graham crackers: Buy pre-crushed graham crackers to skip the step of crushing them yourself.
Blend efficiently: Use a high-speed blender to mix ingredients quickly and smoothly.
Prep strawberries in advance: Chop strawberries ahead of time and store them in the fridge until needed.
Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- ¾ cup Sugar
- 8 oz Cream Cheese softened
- 1 cup Strawberries chopped
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Graham Crackers crushed
Instructions
- In a blender, combine heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- In the last 5 minutes of churning, add the chopped strawberries and crushed graham crackers.
- Transfer the ice cream to a container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses for This Ice Cream
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