This Lavender Lemon Earl Grey Ice Cream is a delightful twist on classic flavors, combining fragrant Earl Grey tea and soothing lavender with bright, fresh lemon for a truly elegant dessert experience.
The no-churn method means you can create a creamy, indulgent treat without an ice cream maker, making it both accessible and effortless.
While rich and creamy, this recipe balances sweetness with the floral and citrus notes, resulting in a refreshing yet comforting flavor.
Though indulgent, it provides a good source of healthy fats from heavy cream, and with no eggs or complicated custards, it’s an easy, quick dessert perfect for everyday enjoyment or special occasions.
Its simple ingredients and make-ahead nature also make it a convenient option for meal prep and entertaining alike.
Must-Have Tools for Perfect Results
Saucepan
Ideal for gently heating the cream to steep the tea, ensuring flavors infuse without scorching. A versatile kitchen essential for sauces, custards, and more.
Stand Mixer
Perfect for whipping the cream to airy perfection, giving the ice cream its light and fluffy texture. Its multiple attachments make it invaluable for baking and cooking tasks.
Mixing Bowl
A large, sturdy bowl provides ample space for combining ingredients smoothly and folding in whipped cream gently. A kitchen staple for mixing batters, salads, and more.
Bread Pan
Used for freezing the ice cream in a compact, easy-to-store shape. Its size and shape make slicing and serving a breeze, plus it’s great for baking breads and casseroles.
Measuring Spoons
Precise measuring ensures the right balance of extracts and lemon juice, crucial for flavor harmony. These tools are indispensable for consistent cooking and baking results.
Earl Grey Lemon Swirl Ice Cream
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan (medium size)
- 1 Stand Mixer
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Bread Pan (loaf size)
- 1 Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 can 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 4 lavender Earl Grey tea bags
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon lavender extract
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Gently Heat the Cream for Tea Infusion: Pour 2 cups of heavy whipping cream into a medium-sized saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat on your stovetop. Warm the cream slowly, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a gentle boil — you’ll notice small bubbles forming around the edges, but it should not be a rolling boil. This gentle heating is essential to extract the delicate flavors of the tea without scalding the cream, which could affect the texture and taste of your ice cream.
- Steep the Lavender Earl Grey Tea: Once the cream has reached a soft boil, carefully remove the saucepan from the heat source. Immediately add the 4 lavender Earl Grey tea bags to the hot cream. Submerge the bags completely and cover the pan with a lid or plate to retain heat. Allow the tea to steep for a full 30 minutes. This slow infusion releases the distinctive citrusy bergamot notes and soothing lavender aroma into the cream, creating the base flavor of your ice cream.
- Cool the Infused Cream Thoroughly: After the 30-minute steeping period, gently remove the tea bags from the cream, pressing them lightly against the side of the pan to extract every last drop of infused cream without tearing the bags and releasing bitter tannins. Transfer the infused cream to a clean container and refrigerate it until completely chilled, ideally for at least 4 hours or overnight. Cooling is critical to ensure the cream whips properly later and that the flavors fully meld.
- Whip the Infused Cream to Soft Peaks: Once the infused cream is well chilled, pour it into the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Start whipping on medium speed, gradually increasing to high as the cream thickens. Whip until it reaches soft peaks — this means when you lift the whisk, the cream holds its shape gently but still has a slight droop. This aeration is what will give your ice cream its light, fluffy texture and luscious mouthfeel.
- Prepare the Flavor Base Mixture: While the cream whips, take a large mixing bowl and combine 1 can of sweetened condensed milk with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon of lavender extract, 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir these ingredients together gently but thoroughly until they form a smooth, homogeneous mixture. The lemon juice adds brightness, the lavender extract enhances floral notes, and the vanilla and salt balance sweetness, creating a complex flavor profile.
- Fold Whipped Cream into Flavor Base: Carefully transfer the whipped cream into the bowl containing the sweetened condensed milk mixture. Using a large rubber spatula, fold the whipped cream into the base gently but completely. Folding, rather than stirring vigorously, preserves the air incorporated into the whipped cream, maintaining the mixture’s lightness and ensuring a creamy final texture. Take your time to incorporate everything evenly without deflating the mixture.
- Transfer Mixture to Freezing Container: Once the mixture is fully combined, pour it evenly into a loaf-size bread pan or a similarly sized freezer-safe container. Smooth the top with your spatula to create an even surface, which will freeze uniformly and make serving easier. Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap or a fitted lid to prevent ice crystals from forming on the surface and to keep the ice cream fresh.
- Freeze Until Firm and Ready to Serve: Place the covered container in your freezer and allow the ice cream to freeze for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, to reach the perfect scoopable consistency. Avoid stirring or disturbing the mixture during freezing to ensure it solidifies smoothly. When ready to serve, remove from the freezer a few minutes before scooping to soften slightly for easier serving.
Notes
Chef’s Secrets: Crafting Perfectly Balanced Ice Cream
One key secret to this ice cream’s success is the delicate balance of flavors—lavender can easily become overpowering if overused, so the 1/8 teaspoon is just right to complement the Earl Grey’s bergamot citrus notes.
Steeping tea in hot cream instead of water infuses a richer, creamier flavor and texture. Whipping the cream to soft peaks, rather than stiff peaks, helps maintain the smooth, luscious consistency.
Folding instead of mixing vigorously preserves the airy texture crucial for no-churn ice cream.
Lastly, letting the ice cream soften briefly before scooping allows the flavors to bloom and makes serving much easier.
Serving Suggestions: Elegant Ideas to Impress Guests
Serve this Lavender Lemon Earl Grey Ice Cream as a standalone dessert garnished with a sprig of fresh lavender or a thin lemon slice for visual appeal.
It pairs beautifully with shortbread cookies, buttery biscotti, or light almond cake for an elegant afternoon tea treat.
For a refreshing summer dessert, try topping it with fresh berries or a drizzle of honey.
It also works well alongside fruit tarts or crisp meringues, offering a creamy contrast to crunchy textures.
For an adult twist, add a splash of Earl Grey-infused liqueur or lavender syrup just before serving.
Storage Tips: Keeping Ice Cream Fresh Longer
Store the ice cream in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn and preserve the delicate flavors.
If using a bread pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then add a layer of foil for extra protection.
Keep the ice cream at the back of the freezer, where the temperature is most stable, to maintain ideal texture.
When storing for longer than a week, check periodically for ice crystals and consider stirring gently once halfway through freezing to minimize crystallization.
For best flavor and texture, consume within two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions: Common Inquiries Answered
1. Can I make this recipe without heavy cream?
Heavy cream is essential for the rich texture and proper whipping needed for no-churn ice cream. Substitutes like coconut cream may work but will alter the flavor and texture significantly.
2. How do I avoid a grainy texture in no-churn ice cream?
Whipping the cream properly and folding gently helps keep the ice cream smooth. Also, freezing without disturbing the mixture prevents ice crystal formation.
3. Can I prepare this ice cream ahead of time?
Yes! This recipe is perfect for make-ahead desserts. Prepare and freeze it up to two weeks in advance; just let it soften slightly before serving.
4. Is lavender extract necessary? Can I use dried lavender?
Lavender extract gives a pure, concentrated flavor. You can substitute with dried culinary lavender, but steep it carefully to avoid bitterness, and use less to prevent overpowering the Earl Grey.
5. Can I adjust the lemon flavor intensity?
Absolutely! Feel free to add a bit more fresh lemon juice for extra brightness, but start with small increments to maintain balance with the tea and lavender.
This recipe is inspired by mildlymeandering and has been carefully refined to enhance clarity, streamline preparation steps, and ensure accurate results. We’ve also included health benefits, nutritional highlights, and Must-Have Tools to help you get the best results every time you cook.
