Description
Salted Honey Lavender Ice Cream is a rich, creamy dessert that combines the floral notes of lavender with the sweetness of honey and a hint of salt. The base of the ice cream is made with a custard-style mixture, which gives it a velvety texture, and it’s churned to perfection in an ice cream maker. The result is a luxurious treat that’s both fragrant and smooth, with just the right balance of floral, sweet, and salty flavors.
Ingredients
🥛 Custard Base
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
½ cup honey (preferably wildflower or clover)
1½ tbsp dried culinary lavender (not decorative lavender — it must be food-safe)
4 large egg yolks
¼ tsp fine sea salt (plus more for finishing)
1 tsp vanilla extract
🌿 Optional Garnish
A drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt
A few lavender buds or petals
Instructions
1. Infuse the milk
In a medium saucepan, combine milk, cream, honey, and lavender.
Heat gently over medium-low until steaming (do not boil), stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 20–30 minutes for a pronounced lavender flavor.
Strain out lavender buds with a fine mesh sieve.
2. Make the custard
In a bowl, whisk egg yolks and salt until pale and slightly thickened.
Slowly pour about ½ cup of the warm milk mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly (this tempers the eggs).
Gradually add the tempered yolks back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture.
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the custard thickens slightly and coats the back of the spoon (about 170–175°F / 77–80°C).
Do not let it boil or it may curdle.
3. Chill
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Pour the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
Let it cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) until fully chilled.
4. Churn
Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer instructions (usually 20–25 minutes).
Transfer to a freezer-safe container, sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt, and drizzle a touch more honey on top if desired.
Freeze for at least 2–3 hours to firm up.
Serving Tips
Serve with shortbread cookies or lemon cake.
Add a small scoop to iced coffee or affogato for a floral twist.
A sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary can complement the lavender beautifully.
Notes
For an elegant touch, drizzle a little extra honey over the scoops before serving and sprinkle with edible lavender petals. This ice cream pairs beautifully with shortbread cookies or fresh berries for a light, floral dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churned
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 290
Keywords: Lavender Honey Ice Cream, Salted Lavender Ice Cream, Honey Lavender Gelato