Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe - Ice Cream From Scratch (2025)

Jump to Recipe

Fresh, homemade and simple to make, this cherry vanilla ice cream is creamy, sweet, and perfectly with the addition of cherries.

Tested to ensure perfection, you’ll love making sundaes or cones with this sweet treat.

This homemade cherry ice cream is ready to enjoy in just a few short hours.

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe - Ice Cream From Scratch (1)

If you’re looking for more ice cream recipes, you’ll want to try Sprinkles Ice Cream Next.

CHERRY VANILLA ICE CREAM RECIPE

Make this Philadelphia style cherry vanilla ice cream with simple to find ingredients. This recipe has no eggs, so there is no cooking involved.

Cherries are such a delicious fruit to make ice cream with.

Kids love making this homemade cherry vanilla ice cream with me. They like to get involved with mixing everything together.

You can make this cherry vanilla ice cream in any electric ice cream machine, or a hand cranked one if you like. Make sure your ice cream machine bowl is in the freezer so it’s ready to go!

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe - Ice Cream From Scratch (2)

CHERRY VANILLA ICE CREAM INGREDIENTS

Heavy Cream– The basis for any good ice cream is rich heavy cream.

Whole Milk– A mix of both heavy cream and whole milk creates the perfect ice cream texture.

Granulated Sugar– Any good ice cream will have a good amount of sugar in it.

Honey– Honey is added for additional sweetness, and also to help keep the ice cream from freezing too hard.

Vanilla Extract– I always recommend using the best vanilla extract that you can reasonably afford. The flavor really shines in this recipe.

Salt– Balance the sweetness of your ice cream with just a bit of salt.

Canned Cherries– 1 can is the perfect amount for this recipe. Don’t buy cherry pie filling, just plain canned cherries.

If you have any questions about this cherry vanilla ice cream, please leave a comment and I will get back to you.

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe - Ice Cream From Scratch (3)

HOW TO MAKE CHERRY VANILLA ICE CREAM

  1. In a large bowl, combine heavy cream, whole milk, ½ cup of the granulated sugar, honey, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until combined.
  2. In a small bowl, combine chopped cherries and remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Stir until combined. Set aside.
  3. Pour the heavy cream mixture into the bowl of the ice cream maker.
  4. Churn the ice cream mixture in the machine according to your manufacturer’s instructions, until it is thick and the consistency of soft serve ice cream.
  5. Add half of the cherry mixture and churn for two minutes until fully combined.
  6. Spoon the ice cream into a shallow container or loaf pan.
  7. Dollop the remaining cherries into the pan and lightly swirl them in. Press plastic wrap or wax paper to the surface of the ice cream. Freeze until solid.
  8. Allow ice cream to sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before serving.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions in this cherry vanilla ice cream, please see the recipe below.

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe - Ice Cream From Scratch (4)

No-Churn Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream

For no-churn cherry vanilla ice cream, chill a shallow container or a loaf pan in the freezer while you mix the ice cream ingredients.

Pour the ice cream mixture into the prepared pan and freeze for 3-4 hours. Stir the ice cream every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours to help add air. This will help create a creamy, smooth texture.

TIPS FOR MAKING CHERRY VANILLA ICE CREAM

Use quality ingredients –When making homemade ice cream, you’ll want to make sure you are using high quality ingredients for the best outcome.

Chill out –If possible, always start with chilled ingredients. This is important for homemade no-churn ice cream recipes and ice cream maker recipes.

Don’t skimp on the fat –High fat milks and creams are essential when making homemade ice cream. Opting for a low-fat option often leads to icy ice creams and inconsistency in the texture.

Don’t go crazy with the add-ins –If you’re adding in additional ingredients, pick one or two and make sure they are chopped into pieces no larger than a blueberry or pea. One idea is to add in 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of pieces of chocolate cherry brownies.

Don’t skimp on the sugar –Sugar not only adds sweetness to homemade ice creams, it also helps with the texture. Sugar is essential for the creamy texture in ice cream.

We love using it in Spumoni.

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe - Ice Cream From Scratch (5)

CAN I MAKE CHERRY VANILLA ICE CREAM WITH FRESH CHERRIES?

While I’ve created this cherry vanilla ice cream recipe using simple to find, canned cherries, you can make it with fresh cherries instead.

This would be an excellent recipe to make use of locally grown cherries when they are in season!

If using fresh cherries, remove the pits and loosely chop them before adding to a bowl with sugar. Allow the fruit to sit in the sugar on the counter for a few hours, or in the fridge overnight.

This will soften the cherries and make them the right consistency to add to ice cream.

HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE CHERRY VANILLA ICE CREAM

Store extras of your ice cream in an air tight container (we really like these reusable ice cream containers) in the freezer for up to 2 months.

For maximum freshness, cover the exposed top of the ice cream with plastic wrap so that no air is touching the ice cream.Before serving, allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature until soft enough to scoop.

If you love cherry ice cream, you’ll want to try this cherry cordial ice cream next.

WHY DO I ADD HONEY TO HOMEMADE ICE CREAM?

Honey added to this recipe for cherry vanilla ice cream adds both sweetness and texture. Using honey in place of some of the sugar keeps the ice cream from getting too hard and icy in the freezer.

You can substitute corn syrup for the honey if you wish. You can also use all granulated sugar.

The cherry vanilla ice cream will still taste delicious, but it will need more time to soften up before scooping.

Some of our favorite things for making homemade ice cream:

LET’S GET SOCIAL, you can follow us onPinterest or leave a comment below if you have any questions.

Did you make this Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream? Please leave a comment below letting me know what you thought.

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe - Ice Cream From Scratch (6)

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes

Fresh, homemade and simple to make, this cherry vanilla ice cream is creamy, sweet, and perfectly with the addition of cherries.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup + 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • 15 oz. can of cherries, (about 1.5 cups), drained and roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Chill the ice cream bowl for at least 24 hours or until solid. You should not hear any water sloshing around when you shake the bowl.
  2. In a large bowl, combine heavy cream, whole milk, ½ cup of the granulated sugar, honey, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until combined.
  3. In a small bowl, combine chopped cherries and remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Stir until combined. Set aside.
  4. Churn the ice cream mixture in the bowl of your ice cream machine according to your manufacturer’s instructions (mine took about 20 minutes), until it is thick and the consistency of soft-serve ice cream.
  5. In the last two minutes, add half of the cherry mixture and churn until it is fully combined.
  6. Spoon the ice cream into a shallow container or a loaf pan.
  7. Dollop the remaining cherries into the pan and lightly swirl them in. Press plastic wrap or wax paper to the surface of the ice cream. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until solid.
  8. Let sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Your ice cream bowl and ice cream base need to be very cold before starting the ice cream machine.
  • If using fresh cherries instead of canned, allow the cherries to sit in the granulated sugar until they get soft.
  • Substitute agave syrup or corn syrup for honey if desired.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 3/4 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 396Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 92mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 2gSugar: 27gProtein: 4g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe - Ice Cream From Scratch (2025)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient to ice cream? ›

The cream cheese helps create an ice cream with a denser, smoother texture. As explained by TASTE, cream cheese acts as a stabilizer in ice cream, preventing water from seeping out of the milk and cream as well as preventing the formation of ice crystals that detract from ice cream's creaminess.

What is the secret to making ice cream very creamy? ›

As you churn ice cream, individual water molecules turn into ice-crystal seeds — which is what makes cream freeze. The higher the fat content, the more time you have to churn before these ice crystals congregate, resulting in creamier final texture.

What kind of cherries are in cherry vanilla ice cream? ›

Maraschino cherry halves mixed into a smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream.

What makes ice cream creamy and not icy? ›

To get rich ice cream, you need enough fat, enough milk protein, and enough sugar to keep the water in the ice cream from freezing solid.

What are the 3 most important ingredients of ice cream? ›

The simplest ice cream recipe uses just three ingredients: cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. The entire process involves mixing, churning, and freezing. This basic recipe is a great place to start.

What is the forbidden ice cream? ›

Consider it our little secret! Besides, who can resist premium chocolate flavored cone coated with chocolate flavored coating filled with our signature Forbidden Chocolate ice cream with a fudge core dipped in chocolate flavored coating topped with chocolate flavored crunch.

What is the best sugar for homemade ice cream? ›

Most home ice cream recipes call for simple table sugar, which is chemically known as sucrose. But in pro kitchens you have more options. Liquid sugars like invert sugar, corn syrup, honey, and glucose syrup all add body, creaminess, and stability to ice cream, and a little goes a long way.

Do eggs make ice cream creamier? ›

Eggs leverage the fat already present in the ice cream base (the butterfat in cream and milk) and make it work even further for a creamier texture. But wait, there's more! Egg yolks also improve the stability of an ice cream, reducing its tendency to melt before you can get it from freezer to cone to mouth.

How do you make high quality ice cream? ›

Ice cream is only as good as the ingredients used to make it. So if you can afford it, buy organic milk and cream and free-range eggs, making sure that everything is as fresh as can be. If you're adding flavorings or ingredients, such as chocolate, vanilla or fruit, spring for high-quality products.

What kind of mixture is cherry vanilla ice cream? ›

A homogeneous mixture, also known as a solution, has a composition that is uniform throughout. Cherry vanilla ice cream would be considered a homogeneous mixture because its ingredients, such as milk, cream, sugar, and flavorings, are uniformly distributed throughout the mixture and cannot be easily separated.

What company makes cherry vanilla ice cream? ›

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream | Häagen-Dazs® 4.2 out of 5 stars. Read reviews for average rating value is 4.2 of 5.

What kind of cherries go on top of ice cream? ›

A maraschino cherry (/ˌmærəˈskiːnoʊ, -ˈʃiː-/ MARR-ə-SKEE-noh, -⁠SHEE-) is a preserved, sweetened cherry, typically made from light-colored sweet cherries such as the Royal Ann, Rainier, or Gold varieties.

What are the thickening agents for homemade ice cream? ›

Adding thickening agents, such as egg yolks, cornstarch, gelatin, tapioca starch, or even Junket tablets, enhances the texture and elevates the overall ice cream experience. Remember, making homemade ice cream is as much an art as it is a science.

What is the best stabilizer for ice cream? ›

The most common ones used in ice creams are guar gum, cellulose gum and carob bean gum. They are used to reduce ice crystal growth, deliver flavour cleanly, increase smoothness, body and creaminess and slow down melting. They also help hold the air bubble structure together and give the ice cream a better texture.

What is the key ingredient in ice cream? ›

Composition. Ice cream is a colloidal emulsion made with water, ice, milk fat, milk protein, sugar and air. Water and fat have the highest proportions by weight creating an emulsion that has dispersed phase as fat globules.

What is the number one ingredient in ice cream? ›

Of course, the main ingredients in ice cream come from milk–and the most important part of that is milkfat, which gives ice cream its smoothness and creamy texture. In fact, in order to be called ice cream, the USDA requires it to contain at least 10 percent milkfat, which can come from milk or cream.

What is so delicious ice cream made of? ›

Organic Coconutmilk (Filtered Water, Organic Coconut), Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Pea Protein, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, Natural Flavor, Vanilla Bean Specks.

What makes commercial ice cream so creamy? ›

Simply put, stabilizers help keep commercial ice cream creamy-tasting under variable temperature conditions. If you're making ice cream at home, there are a few things you can do to encourage a creamy texture without stabilizers. First, make sure your ice cream mixture is cold before adding it to the ice cream machine.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated:

Views: 6235

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.