Make memories picking summer berries with the kids, and learn how to make berry ice cream using your summer picks!
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Summer picking time!
This perfect growing climate for berries along the shores of Lake Michigan house some of the coolest U-Pick farms around, and picking has become something my girls look forward to every season. They know what month is what for every berry, and they each have favorites! We went out to pick strawberries last week! My older girls are getting to the age where doing these fun things with friends coming along is important to them, and goodness the girl giggles were so fun! I’ll protect the privacy of the girls’ friends and share an old picture instead of our recent trip – this is one of my favorites of my older girls picking strawberries as toddlers – such fun!
Turn any summer berry into ice cream!
Turn any summer berry into ice cream!Yep, you heard that right! Whatever berries are in season where you live right now can be churned into a fun summer treat the kids will never forget. YOU get to control the ingredients and sugar, which means it really is something fun to enjoy more than once a summer. And just about any kid will get excited about that!
Lots {and lots!} of practice!
Lots {and lots!} of practice!It has been so many years since I made my first batch of ice cream. Over the years, this has become my go-to framework for any ice cream flavor with fruit really. While our focus is summer berries here, you could swap in summer stone fruits like cherries and peaches as well.
What’s with the gelatin?
What’s with the gelatin?It’s all about the scoop-ability and texture! I’ve tried all the things when it comes to a scoop-able, creamy ice cream from egg yolks to tapioca starch. While egg yolks are probably my favorite creamy add-in to ice cream, so many people (including myself) don’t tolerate chicken eggs. I’ve found the small sprinkle of gelatin to give the ice cream a great creamy texture as well as make it easier to scoop. I use this grass-fed gelatin, but you really could use whatever gelatin you have on hand – just really watch the ingredients.
Let’s talk about the milk!
Let’s talk about the milk!If you have access to quality, grass-fed raw dairy and your family tolerates that, go for it! We have been a dairy free house for a while now, and my kids never skipped a beat switching from raw cream to full fat coconut milk – it is so creamy and delicious! I am not a coconut flavor fan, and I do not taste the coconut if you are wondering.
Summer memory making
Summer memory makingThere was a point earlier this month, where I mentioned to the girls that we might be too busy this month to pick strawberries. I didn’t think much of saying it because it wasn’t like we were just sitting around – we truly had a lot of other fun things going on! The visual drop on all 3 girls’ faces made me take a step back! I couldn’t believe how much these yearly visits meant to them – even my 9 year old. Now, I realize 9 year old girls can be dramatic, but she really did mean what she said when she declared it just wasn’t going to be summer without going strawberry picking! Momma, if you have littles at home, it is so worth starting those memories now! And momma with those older kiddos, make a slice of time for some picking – even if it’s just for a few pounds to make something fun in the kitchen!
How To Make Berry Ice Cream Using Any Summer Berry!
Ingredients
- 3 cups berries hulled and halved if strawberries. If blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc you can just measure them out un-cut.
- 2 cups full fat coconut milk
divided - 2-4 tbsp raw honey to taste and depending on sweetness of the berries. Start out low – you can always add more
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 tsp quality gelatin
Instructions
- Put the berries and 1 cup of the coconut milk in a sauce pan, bring to a simmer, and mash the berries a bit. Simmer for 2 minutes, and then turn the heat off.
- Put the honey, vanilla, and sea salt in the bottom of your blender. Pour the hot berry/coconut milk mixture into the blender, sprinkle the gelatin on top, and then blend for 20 seconds until smooth.
- Pour the remaining 1 cup of coconut milk into a medium mixing bowl, and then pour the hot berry/cream mixture from the blender into the bowl. Stir to combine, and set in the fridge until cold – this could be overnight etc.
- Once the berry ice cream mixture is cold, you can pour it into your ice cream maker to churn according to your manufacturer’s instructions. I use this ice cream maker, and it takes about 20 minutes to churn. You can serve it “soft serve style” right out of the ice cream maker, or you can pour the churned ice cream into a lidded container to freezer further in the freezer. If you freeze it completely, you’ll want to set the ice cream on the counter for about 5-10 minutes for easy scooping.
WOW! Decadent recipe Renee! Thanks for sharing how to make this dairy free delight with different fruits. Love the pics.
Thank you Carol!
I love making my own ice cream too!! Even better when we get to go to u-picks and harvest our own berries or fruit! Looks delish!
Oh my goodness this looks mouthwatering! Love all the ingredients too. Such a better alternative to store bought ice cream!
Delicious, Renee!! Some of our best summer memories revolve around berries, berry picking, making and eating ice cream together!! This post definitely celebrates that family summer thing!
Aww memory lane with that photo! SO sweet! I love that you add gelatin, that’s the best idea and so helpful for that texture. Also, your china is so pretty – love all of the dishes!
Thank you Emily!
The texture looks SO perfect! I’ve been eating homemade ice cream just about every night here, so this is going on my menu… haha. 😉
Looks so amazing! i will be trying this recipe out with a non glycemic sweetener.
I’m so into making ice cream right now, will need to try this one!
That photo of your girls picking berries is just priceless! Love this easy, creamy ice cream in ANY flavor!
What a fun thing to do with your girls! Homemade icecream is always so much better than store bought, this one looks so creamy and delicious!
I love the flavor combo and how simple it is to make ! What a perfect dessert for hot summer !
I love the versatility of this recipe! I actually have some blueberries and raspberries in my fridge right now and I think I may have to whip up some ice cream.
You are speaking my summer language here. YUM YUM YUM!!
Wow, this looks so summery and delectable! Also love all the photos with the vintage looking teacups and loaf pan, so pretty!
The magic of gelatin!! Love this recipe! Yum!
I love the fact that you and the girls went picking the strawberries – what memories they will cherish forever!
I love this dairy free option for berry ice cream! Great photo of the cuties picking strawberries! I loved doing that as a kid.
Just went berry picking with my girls and we are making this recipe together. Can’t wait to try it, thank you Renne!!:))
Awesome Sonia! Enjoy it!
Hi Renee,
Just wondering….could the gelatin be replaced with egg yolk? Thank you for the recipe!
Hi Sarah! Yes for sure!