Lemon Velvet Ice Cream

There is not a better ice cream...seriously, Lemon Velvet Ice Cream rocks!

My friend texted me recently with the question, "Have you seen the Lemon Velvet Ice Cream recipe that Suzanne posted?  You will want to make it."  As a matter of fact, I had not.  Quickly remedied...I went to Suzanne's awesome blog, Notes From the Patch, to take a look.  Suzanne described the ice cream as the perfect combination of sweet and tart.  She says it is like a lemon drop...the candy, not the martini!   I was sold and on my way to the cupboard to pull out the ice cream maker.

Lemon Velvet Ice Cream

adapted from Suzanne's Mom's Recipe

Notes From the Patch

2 1/2 cups sugar
7 lemons, zested and juiced
1 quart half and half
6 oz evaporated milk
6 oz whole milk
2 Tbsp Lemoncello

Mix the sugar and half and half in the mixer until sugar is dissolved.
Add the evaporated and whole milk, lemon juice, zest and Lemoncello.
Mix.

Pour into your ice cream maker and freeze as directed.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Sadly, I had more mixture than my ice cream maker would hold.  I made certain that all of the zest got into the container and since there wasn't really enough extra to freeze, I had to watch it go down the drain...only after tasting the ice cream can you understand how sad that was...

I added Lemoncello to the recipe.  It sounded like the perfect match and I knew that we wouldn't eat it all and that I would need to freeze what was left.  I followed David Lebovitz's recommendation in his book, The Perfect Scoop and added alcohol.  According to David, alcohol does two things: 1) It prevents ice creams and sorbets from freezing too hard (alcohol doesn't freeze), and 2) it adds an additional punch of flavor.

I must point out that there wasn't much leftover to freeze.  The gentlemen around the table lifted their bowls and in Oliver Twist fashion requested more!  I was happy to serve it up!

Lemon Velvet Ice Cream will be on my list to repeat and repeat and repeat.  It is the perfect dessert on a warm day and so refreshing..and to quote Suzanne, "It is the perfect combination of sweet and tart."

Oh, I almost forgot!  When I served it the next day, I put some macerated strawberries on top!  Oh my, that was unbelievable....next time I make it....blueberries on top! (Sadly, I thought of the picture after I ate it!)

I mentioned Suzanne's awesome blog and I need to mention her fantastic quilt store, Strawberry Patches.  The collection of fabrics in her store makes you want to make everything!  It is so hard for me to focus in and select just "one something".  Maybe that is why I have so many quilts in "queue"!  She offers numerous classes, tutorials, a supportive blog and patterns.  She doesn't limit herself to quilts, take a look and you will find adorable baby and children's clothes, purses...a plethora of ideas and fabrics!

Today I am participating in Foodie Friday, Fat Camp Friday, Full Plate Thursday, and Sweets for a Saturday.  After all of that...I think I need more ice cream!