This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
The creamiest Fresh Lemon Custard Ice Cream that’s a summer must try! It’s like no other ice cream you’ve had, homemade or store-bought.
The tart, citrus flavor is unique and so refreshing because it’s made with fresh lemon juice in the lemon curd. The Lemon curd turns into a creamy lemon custard, then frozen until it’s perfectly delicious.
We appreciate your support
Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.
Custard-Based Ice Cream
I love custard-based ice cream. So thick and rich. So creamy. Luscious! So pleasing to the tongue and the tummy!
Now, don’t get me wrong, the ease of a no churn ice cream is awesome. I even have a recipe on the blog for one, Coffee Toffee Ice Cream. But, for texture, an old fashioned custard ice cream simply can’t be beat!
And this Lemon Ice Cream is one of my favorites! Tangy, tart lemon, offsetting sweet cream. Not too sweet. Oh, this one is just so good!
Meyer Lemons or Regular Lemons?
If you have Meyer Lemons, it’s even better!
This past winter I was given bags of Meyer Lemons by my friends and family, so I zested and juiced them and froze that zest and juice in ice cube trays. Learn how to freeze and save your lemons here.
I’m still using those sweet lemons now! I just take out some of the lemon ice cubes, defrost them in the microwave, and measure out what I need for the recipe.
Any extra defrosted lemon juice goes into a glass of water for me to drink. And the zest stays in the freezer as well. I just break off any measurement I need and pop the rest back in the freezer.
Lemon Extract
You’ve seen me talk about lemon extract before. I use it in almost all of my lemon recipes. I love it because it helps brighten the lemon flavor in all your desserts.
Great fruit ice creams
Fruity ice creams are so refreshing on a hot summer day. Here are some of my favorites! Be sure to give them a try! Peach Ice Cream, Strawberry Ice Cream, and Pineapple Ice Cream.
Join me
If you like seeing my recipes subscribe via email in the upper right.
Or, connect with me on your favorite social media channel for recipes, photos, & much more:
Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter!
And find my shop on Amazon for recommendations on cool tools
If you try this recipe,
please come back & leave a comment below letting us know how it goes.
Share a picture & tag @lifecurrents on Instagram.
Or you can upload a “tried it” photo (I would love to see)
via the pin.
Recipe
Lemon Ice Cream
refreshing because it’s made with fresh lemon juice in the lemon curd.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice from 5-6 large lemons
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large whole eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 2 cups light cream or whipping cream
- pinch salt
Instructions
- In a large metal bowl or the top of a double boiler, combine lemon juice, butter, eggs, and sugar. Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water; whisk until butter melts, sugar dissolves, and the mixture thickens, about 15 minutes. Allow the lemon curd to cool slightly, and stir in the extract, cream, and salt. Cover and refrigerate until cold or overnight.
- Stir the cold custard well, then freeze in your ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions. When finished, the ice cream will be soft, like soft serve. For firmer ice cream, freezer at least 2 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Janette
I am with you on the creamy custard ice cream and this looks amazing.
Garlic + Zest
Last summer, I nearly wore out my ice cream maker doing all manner of custard based ice creams. Seeing this, I can see it’s going to be another brain-freeze inducing summer! Beautiful!
Jane
HaHA. I wished I’d read this post before making my first ever no churn ice cream this morning. Initial tasting leaves me very unimpressed with the texture compared to a custard based, churned ice cream. Yours sounds heavenly. I can think of nothing more refreshing.
Priya
I just love love love your recipe..lemon ice cream is something so refreshing. I cannot wait to try it. Pinned it. Thanks for sharing. Amazing pictures.
Diana
Lemon ice cream is one of my favourite ice cream as it’s very refreshing!!
Sarah
Oh man.. This makes me regret giving away my ice cream maker! I just didn’t have the room for it. I’ll have to borrow one lol. I do want to try the no churn one you’ve got though!
Molly Kumar
There’s nothing like a creamy homemade ice-cream and I love the fact you went all out and made one from scratch. Bookmarking for future use – Thanks for sharing!
shockinglydelicious
Tart and tangy…you are speaking my love language!
Kavey
Love this, the colour is so pretty and I can almost feel the rich texture of it in my mouth. Sort of like lemon curd but even more refreshing!
Jeff
I’ve never had lemon ice cream before. Thanks for the recipe!
Maeva
This lemon ice cream looks very creamy and yummy! Do you think it’s possible to add lemon zest too?
April
I adore lemon desserts – particularly desserts like this! Your Lemon Ice Cream looks so refreshing and tasty, Debi!
Christine
This recipe makes me want to run out and buy an ice cream machine! I love the light lemon flavor, especially this time of year. Stunning!
Michelle De La Cerda
I could sit outside in the evening, every evening with a bowl of this and just enjoy my night. Perfect after dinner treat.
Christine
Looks fabulous!
kati
We made this over the Christmas break and it was amazing! I can’t wait to make it again!
Rebecca Blackwell
Tangy, tart and sweet. Three of my favorite flavors. This looks so, SO good. I can’t wait to try it!
Diane
Deliciously creamy. I used kefir cream instead of cream. On my second try, I substituted lemon zest that was frozen in lemon juice for the lemon extract. I think 2 tsp of zest. This is now my favotite ice cream.
Denise
This is absolutely amazing! We are making it for a second time!
Dannii
This sounds so light and fresh and perfect for summer.