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This creamy and refreshing homemade lemon ice cream is made without an ice cream machine and will have you dreaming of summer days. Just mix, stir, and freeze 5 simple ingredients together – it’s a creamy no churn ice cream recipe!
Easy Lemon Ice Cream – No churn!
Lemon lovers, rejoice! This easy no-churn lemon ice cream recipe is full of sweet and tangy lemon flavor that’s sure to be a hit. I love easy ice cream recipes, especially when they don’t require an ice cream machine.
I made this lemon ice cream the “easy” way without the use of an ice cream maker, AKA No Churn Ice Cream.
This recipe is heaven: It has an easy ice cream base that has the perfect lemon and sweet creamy balance. Toss your fresh ingredients together and freeze overnight to get the best no-churn lemon ice cream ever!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- You do not need an ice cream maker
- It’s full of fresh lemon flavor
- It tastes sweet and tangy
- Only 15 minutes of prep time
Ingredients needed
- Lemon: one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Heavy whipping cream: You make fresh whipped cream which becomes the base of the ice cream.
- Sweetened condensed milk: no need to add any sugar to this recipe since the sweetness comes from here
- Lemon Zest: adding lemon zest makes any dessert more aromatic and flavorful
- Lemon extract: this is the secret ingredient to getting the perfect lemon flavor
How to make lemon ice cream
- Beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form then set aside.
- Stir together sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and zest, and lemon extract.
- Fold in whipped cream to the wet mixture.
- Freeze in an airtight container and freeze until hardened, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Expert Tips
- Leave your ice cream in the freezer overnight for a harder ice cream texture.
- Want a fat-free ice cream? Use a fat-free Cool Whip in place of the heavy cream and swap fat-free sweetened condensed milk.
- If you prefer soft serve ice cream, then freeze this recipe for about 3 hours instead of overnight.
FAQs
It’s a Summer favorite frozen dessert recipe since it’s no-bake, so easy, and incredibly refreshing.
If left frozen in an airtight container, your ice cream should remain fresh for up to 1 month.
Yes, you can. I do prefer fresh lemon juice over the store bought and i recommend fresh lemon zest.
Easy Lemon Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Zest of one lemon
- ½ teaspoon lemon extract
Instructions
- Beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- Stir together sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and zest, and lemon extract. Fold in whipped cream.
- Place in an airtight container and freeze until hardened, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- Feel free to use fat free sweetened condensed milk
- Want a fat free ice cream? Use fat free Cool Whip (2 8-ounce containers) in place of the heavy cream.
Oh my gosh – I have the same problem! My fingernails are constantly purple during the winter! Then at night I feel like swamp thing. This ice cream looks amazing though! I am SUCH a fan of these quick and easy ice creams. Delicious!
Thanks Lindsay! Purple is my normal in winter. No one even comments how I’m “dead” anymore, they are so used to it. LOL!
Oh lemon, how I love thee. This looks so good Dorothy! I’ve never made icecream this way, but think it’s time to try!!
You must!! It’s SO easy Aimee. 🙂
I agree with Amy; great pics! Glad you enjoyed the lemons. I thought they smelled wonderful when I was picking them (I just don’t like lemon flavored desserts).
Love, Mom
First, your pictures are BEAUTIFUL. They look as if they have come right out of a magazine. Stunning. Second, your description of winter and being cold, oh my…you made me laugh and I had to nod in agreement. I wish my 4 year old felt the same but she loves to be outside even when it is freezing out. Third, your ice cream recipe looks refreshing and delicious.
Thank you! I know, my daughter is always out in shirtsleeves and I’m always shivering next to her. They must have different thermostats! 🙂
Mm, I friggin LOVE lemon anything. I hope you know this for my birthday in two weeks, hint hint 😉 hehe, I kid, but still, this ice cream looks fab. I actually ate ice cream last night with my hands wrapped in a towel because the bowl was far too cold, but my desire to eat ice cream was far too strong. Problems.
Ha! My life exactly. Lemon treats for birthday was already on my mind… 🙂
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