Orange Ice Cream Recipe

If you’d love to scoop sunshine straight into your bowl, this Orange Ice Cream is the treat of your dreams—bright, creamy, and bursting with citrus flavor. Its velvety texture and vibrant color practically beg for a second helping, making it a joyful homemade dessert that tastes just like summer any time of year.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Orange Ice Cream recipe celebrates simplicity. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to create that dreamy, creamy texture and deliver the bright, punchy orange essence that’s the ultimate taste of summer.

• Heavy Whipping Cream: Provides the luxurious, creamy base essential for classic ice cream texture.
• Whole Milk: Balances richness, keeps the ice cream scoopable, and prevents it from becoming too dense.
• Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice: Use juice from about three juicy oranges for the liveliest flavor and a truer citrus color.
• Sugar: Sweetens the ice cream, also helping with that soft, not-too-icy finish.
• Orange Extract: Intensifies the orange aroma and flavor—like a sunny day concentrated in every bite.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth, making the orange notes pop.
• Pinch of Salt: A tiny bit goes a long way—enhances all the flavors without tasting salty.
• Optional Food Coloring: For an extra vibrant hue, a drop or two of orange food coloring is all you need (but totally optional!).

Variations

Ready to make this Orange Ice Cream your own? It’s so easy to tweak based on what you have in your kitchen, your favorite mix-ins, or even cater to different dietary choices—get creative and let your citrus-loving heart lead the way.

• Dairy-Free Orange Ice Cream: Substitute coconut cream and almond milk for heavy cream and whole milk to create a totally plant-based, tropical spin.
• Chocolate Swirl: Swirl in ribbons of dark chocolate or chocolate chips at the end for a classic chocolate-orange pairing.
• Extra Zesty: Add a tablespoon of fresh orange zest to the base if you want even more bold, fragrant orange notes.
• Mix-In Magic: Try stirring in chopped candied orange peel, caramel ribbons, or fruity purees once the ice cream is nearly frozen.

How to Make Orange Ice Cream

Step 1: Prepare the Orange Ice Cream Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, whole milk, fresh orange juice, sugar, orange extract, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Use a whisk to blend everything until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture looks creamy and smooth—don’t rush this, as the sugar needs to fully integrate for the silkiest texture.

Step 2: Optional—Add Color and Strain

If you love that classic creamsicle color, now’s the time to mix in a drop or two of orange food coloring. Also, if you prefer your Orange Ice Cream completely smooth, pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to strain out any orange pulp—especially if you don’t want even a hint of texture from the juice.

Step 3: Churn to Perfection

Pour your prepared mixture into your ice cream maker and let it churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (typically 20–30 minutes). You’ll start to notice the aroma filling your kitchen—the anticipation is all part of the fun! If you want to add any stir-ins, such as chocolate or fruit purée, do this right as churning finishes so they’re evenly distributed.

Step 4: Freeze for a Scoopable Finish

When the ice cream has a soft-serve consistency, transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals, then freeze for 4–6 hours (or overnight) to give it that classic, scoopable texture.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

When you’re ready to enjoy, let the Orange Ice Cream sit at room temperature for a couple minutes before scooping—this brings out all those intense citrus notes and makes serving a breeze. Dive in and let the sunshiney flavor transport you.

How to Serve Orange Ice Cream

Garnishes

Top each scoop with fresh orange zest, a twist of candied orange peel, or a drizzle of dark chocolate sauce for a decadent finish—these garnishes add both visual flair and extra bursts of citrusy flavor that take homemade Orange Ice Cream over the top.

Side Dishes

Pair your Orange Ice Cream with crisp butter cookies, a slice of pound cake, or even fruit salad for a well-rounded dessert plate. It also makes a fabulous float when dropped into sparkling water or orange soda.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, serve Orange Ice Cream in hollowed-out orange halves for a playful, edible bowl. Or layer scoops with whipped cream and fresh berries in a glass for a simple but stunning trifle—perfect for entertaining or a festive family night.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Orange Ice Cream in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to two weeks. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing the lid—this small step keeps every scoop remarkably fresh and prevents unwanted iciness.

Freezing

Freeze your Orange Ice Cream for a minimum of four hours to ensure it sets to a scoopable firmness. If making ahead, let guests know it will taste its very brightest within the first week—but it stays delicious for two weeks without losing texture or flavor.

Reheating

There’s no reheating needed—simply let the Orange Ice Cream stand on the counter for a couple of minutes to soften before scooping. If it’s too firm, dipping your ice cream scoop into hot water will make serving a breeze.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a scoop of nostalgia and sunshine in a bowl, you’re going to adore this Orange Ice Cream. It’s simple, bright, refreshing, and guaranteed to bring smiles every time—don’t wait for summer, treat yourself today!

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