Easy Lemon Ice Cream Recipe

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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!

ice cream in two stacked bowls with lemons in the back.

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

Is lemon ice cream good?

It’s a Summer favorite frozen dessert recipe since it’s no-bake, so easy, and incredibly refreshing.

How long does ice cream last?

If left frozen in an airtight container, your ice cream should remain fresh for up to 1 month.

Can you put lemon juice in ice cream?

Yes, you can. I do prefer fresh lemon juice over the store bought and i recommend fresh lemon zest.