The Best Lime Ice Cream
Author Notes: It's funny how often there are early indications of the profession a child will pursue as an adult. According to my mother, there were more than a few telltale signs during my youth suggesting that a career in food and cooking might be in my future. When I was six years old, we went to the Bahamas on a family vacation. One night, we were served the most delicious lime ice cream any of us had ever tasted; it was tart and quite sweet, with lots of fragrant lime zest and an underlying richness from pure cream. With a little encouragement from my parents, I managed to pluck up the courage to ask for the recipe, which I then transcribed -- in my shaky, 6-year-old print -- onto the small slip of paper.
It's a mix-and-freeze operation, perfect for hot weather, and there is no custard involved. The results are truly delicious. I've reduced the sugar and added a little more cream as my taste has matured. I hope you enjoy it as much as we all did -- and perhaps it may even inspire another 6-year-old to turn to a career in food! —Merrill Stubbs
Makes about 3 cups
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons grated lime zest
- 1/3 cup lime juice (Key lime juice is great if you can bear squeezing all those little guys)
- Combine all of the ingredients, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Freeze in an ice cream maker, or in a wide, shallow container, stirring from time to time. Devour! Note: Don't be dismayed if the ice cream never gets really hard in your freezer -- the texture should be airy and light.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
More Great Recipes: Fruit|Desserts|Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts|Ice Cream
about 2 months ago borntobeworn
Without an ice cream maker, it will still be delicious but it will be more like custard and will not be fluffy before freezing. You will love it no matter what!
about 2 months ago Matt Smith
This looks amazing. How long is the freeze time? 1 hr? 4 hrs? And how often does one stirr it? Every 45 min?
Thanks so much!!
about 2 months ago borntobeworn
I've made this many, many times. It takes about 20-25 minutes in my electric ice cream maker and comes out like fluffy soft serve. I then transfer it to another container and freeze it for 2-3 hours to harden it up. The lime zest always tends to collect around the bottom of the paddle in my ice cream maker so when I take it out of the cylinder (when it's fluffy and soft), I stir it very well to make sure all the lime zest is evenly distributed).
about 2 months ago Matt Smith
Okay, that's not bad. I could still do this for dinner tonight!
And if someone doesn't have an ice cream maker? lol
over 2 years ago S B
Made exactly as shown...smooth, creamy, tart ice cream perfection. Served with cream cheese cookies (recipe from Food52, of course) and guests went wild!
over 3 years ago knitnbead
Just got around to making this (finally). Used 1 1/4 cups heavy cream and 1/4 cup whole milk. I didn't have key limes so I just used Persian limes. Will be taking this to a dinner party tonight with friends. I tasted this before it went into the ice cream maker and it was just right. Can't wait to hear the raves. Awesome!
over 3 years ago nzmike99
Has anyone tried this with yoghurt instead of cream? Think it would work but haven't tried it yet - interested to know if anyone else has converted this to froyo as I refuse to cook with cream, just too much sat fat!!
over 3 years ago stellaaa25
this recipe is so easy and tasty!!! i cut the sugar to 1/2 cup and it was perfect!!!
over 3 years ago Merrill Stubbs
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
Glad you liked it!
over 3 years ago mdm
SO delicious, thanks!
over 3 years ago Merrill Stubbs
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
You're welcome!
about 4 years ago Benny
Just made this. I used half cream and half coconut milk. really good!
over 4 years ago SLK
We had a 100 degree day here, and this was a great summer dessert. Used half cream and half buttermilk -- it was wonderfully creamy. Thanks for a great recipe!
over 4 years ago Francesca de Onis Tomlinson
This was the easiest ice cream I ever made. I was skeptical you could make great ice cream without a custard base. This was so delicious no one could stop eating it at a dinner I made for a friend who just published a book to great acclaim. For the first time that evening no one spoke. Everyone kept eyeing the bowl of ice cream as it steadily diminished. I served it with a pavlova and strawberries but they were not the star. Going to make it today w mint from the farmer's market, no lime and maybe a crushed candy cane..
over 4 years ago Jeannie'sgoodhomecooking
I have made this lovely ice-cream several times. I place the sugar and zest in the food processor-something I learned from the book 'Nuts in the kitchen', by Susan Herrmann Loomis. (her recipe is for Lemon Poppy Seed Ice Cream--very yummy too).
Pulverizing the zest and sugar really seems to bring out the lime flavor.
about 3 years ago Angel
I followed your advice, and it turned out great!
over 4 years ago knitnbead
Can i use half and half and get similar results?
Thanks
about 3 years ago Angel
I did, it worked out fine
about 5 years ago borntobeworn
We brought this recipe to the beach! We bought an ice cream maker yesterday and made this last night! We all agree that it is the best ever:) we're going to try the genius river cafe's strawberry sorbet tonight!
about 5 years ago lefty303
Probably some of the best stuff I've ever made. Thank you, thank you!
about 5 years ago Mamak
This is similar to my lemon buttermilk sorbet. You can bet I'll be trying this. It's 100 here, perfect timing.
about 5 years ago Margaret McCormick
Made this recipe several times last summer and everyone who tried it LOVED it. Made an orange version and it was equally delicious. Not sure why I haven't made it yet THIS summer... eagerly awaiting arrival of ice cream maker recommended by food52!
about 5 years ago ChristinaMB
Made a batch - delicious - and sandwiched it between two small sections of graham crackers for a mini key lime pie ice cream treat!
about 5 years ago Merrill Stubbs
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
Brilliant! Have to try this.
almost 5 years ago Meatballs&Milkshakes
I love this idea....I have to try it too....
about 5 years ago plumsintheicebox
looks delicious!
over 5 years ago MHardison79
Made this last night...and I'm glad I did. It was delicious! This is a definite keeper, will be making this and variations of it all summer. Thanks merrill! :)
over 5 years ago drkate
Oh, my. Thank you for this! Delicious ice cream! And 8 key limes made enough juice, then their juiceless outsides bobbed prettily in a pitcher of tea.