This easy Lemonade Ice Cream Recipe is a total winner with just 4 ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, and refreshing lemonade concentrate. Add a fresh zing with some lemon zest, and you've got a smooth, luscious no-cook, no-churn ice cream that tastes like frozen lemonade-sweet, tart, and absolutely irresistible.
We're totally lemon-obsessed and have perfected everything from tangy desserts to moist baked goods to refreshing drinks-check out our collection of easy lemon recipes for all kinds of zesty goodness!
Lemonade and ice cream are two quintessential foods during the hot summer months. We've have combined them into one of our popular no-bake desserts, and this one's a game-changer:
- It's just 10 minutes to whip up and pop in the freezer!
- It's creamy and delightfully refreshing. Perfect summer treat!
- It's the perfect mix of shortcut and homemade goodness.
If you want more dessert recipes like this one, check out these this Lemonade Pie Recipe made in a graham cracker pie crust, Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats which are a family favorite or this Frosted Lemonade Recipe - a quick sweet treat!
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Lemonade ice cream ingredients
Ingredient quantities are in the recipe card below, but here are a few noteworthy tips.
- Lemonade concentrate: Store-bought or homemade lemonade concentrate recipe works in this one.
- Whipping cream: There is no substitute for the couple of minutes it takes to make homemade whipped cream. This creates the perfect creaminess.
- Sweetened condensed milk: A shortcut ingredient that creates the creamy texture without needing to cook the recipe.
- Lemon zest: The simple ingredient from fresh lemons that give the fresh bright flavor.
Helpful tools for making no-churn ice cream
Loaf PanLemon Kitchen TowelsHeavy Duty Ice Cream ScoopFooted Tulip Glass Dessert Bowls
How to make lemonade ice cream
This is a very easy recipe that only requires a mixer - no ice cream maker, food processor or high speed blender required!
Start by mixing the lemonade concentrate, sweetened condensed milk, and lemon zest in a large bowl.
Grab a microplane to easily get that flavorful lemon peel while leaving the bitter white pith behind. Use the zest of 1-2 minutes depending on your taste buds.
In medium bowl, pour in the heavy whipping cream. Start beaters on low speed until the cream begins to thicken. Then increase the speed to medium high until the cream is thick and when the pulled out is at stiff peaks.
Gently fold the cream into the lemonade mixture. After each fold turn the bowl to encourage the mixtures to incorporate without removing the air from the cream.
Pour the ice cream mixture into a loaf pan or ice cream container. If desired, decorate top. However it looks when it goes in the freezer is what it will look like when it comes out.
Pop into the freezer until frozen solid at least 6 hours. Once frozen, cover with plastic wrap and a layer of foil to maintain freshness.
Here's a pro tip: Toss the bowl and beaters in the freezer beforehand, so they're nice and cold when you whip up the cream.
Our favorite ice cream scoops are the ones without the thumb release. They cut through the cold ice cream easily and make a nice looking scoop.
Variations
Try one of these for a fun twist:
- Swirl in lemon curd.
- Create a layer with triple berry sauce.
- Use limeade and a lime for a different flavor.
- Place mixture into popsicle molds.
How to store ice cream
We like placing this lemon no-churn ice cream in a loaf pan because we have one on hand, but for the longest storage time an airtight container is best.
FAQ
While cooking a custard base, chilling, and turning it in an ice cream maker produces a supremely creamy and smooth final product, it is a lot of work. This no-churn recipe uses sweetened condensed milk to mimic the cooking resulting in a creamy finish in a fraction of the time.
Depending on the recipe and the brand of ice cream, the answer is definitely yes. Since lemonade ice cream is difficult to find in stores, it is a great candidate for making at home.
Tips and tricks
- Freeze medium bowl and beaters for 20 minutes before whipping the cream. It will shorten the time.
- Zest the lemon with a microplane by pulling the microplane over the lemon. Skip the pith.
- Let it sit out on the counter for 5 minutes before serving.
More lemonade recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
- Strawberry lemonade - Perfect summer combination of simple ingredients!
- Blackberry lemonade - Great in a chilled glass!
- Cherry lemonade - Refreshing on hot summer day.
- Raspberry lemonade - Delicious summer treat!
- Homemade lemonade recipe - Made with lemon juice
Recipe
Easy Lemonade Ice Cream Recipe (4 Ingredients!)
Equipment
- mixer stand or hand-held
Ingredients
- 12 ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate thawed
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 -2 lemons zested, depending on taste preference
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Mix lemonade concentrate, sweetened condensed milk, and lemon zest together in a large bowl. Set aside.12 ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate, 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 1 -2 lemons
- In medium bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks.3 cups heavy whipping cream
- Freeze 6 hrs or overnight.
Notes
- Freeze medium bowl and beaters for 20 minutes before whipping the cream. It will shorten the time.
- Zest the lemon with a microplane by pulling the microplane over the lemon. Skip the pith.
- Let it sit out on the counter for 5 minutes before serving.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Danielle says
This recipe is perfect for the summertime. So fresh!