Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream Recipe

If there’s one summer treat that instantly transports me to carefree, sun-drenched days, it’s Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream. This creamy, dreamy delight captures the pure essence of juicy, sun-ripened peaches folded into a luscious custard base. Each bite is a celebration of old-school ice cream making, brimming with nostalgia, rich flavor, and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that simply cannot be matched. Whether you’re savoring a bowl on a porch swing or sharing with friends at a picnic, Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream is the ultimate way to taste the season’s sweetest fruit and slow down for a moment of pure happiness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how a handful of everyday ingredients come together to create such an unforgettable treat. Each element in this Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream is carefully chosen to maximize flavor and authentic homemade charm—nothing complicated, just pure enjoyment in every scoop!

• Peaches: The heart and soul of this recipe—fresh, ripe peaches provide a burst of juicy, fragrant flavor that’s absolutely essential.
• Sugar: Both white sugars here—1/4 cup for macerating the peaches and 3/4 cup for the custard—highlight the fruit’s natural sweetness and balance the creamy base.
• Heavy Cream: This is key for that luxuriously rich, velvety texture we all crave in home-churned ice cream.
• Milk: Helps lighten the custard just enough so the ice cream isn’t too dense—whole milk works best for a smooth, old-fashioned finish.
• Salt: Just a pinch wakes up all the sweet and creamy notes, making the other ingredients sing.
• Egg Yolks: The secret to a creamy, classic custard—these give the ice cream body, silkiness, and that unmistakable old-fashioned richness.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: A little splash enhances the peaches’ floral aroma and rounds out every flavor in this dreamy bowl.

How to Make Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream

Step 1: Prep the Peaches

Start with perfectly ripe peaches for the best flavor—those that give gently when pressed and smell intoxicatingly sweet. Peel, pit, and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Place the chopped peaches in a bowl, sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar, and give them a good stir. Cover and let them sit at room temperature for at least an hour so they become syrupy and soft.

Step 2: Puree the Peaches

After the peaches have soaked and released plenty of juicy goodness, pour the fruit and all their sweet juice into a food processor. Pulse just a few times—enough to break them down into small, textured pieces rather than a smooth puree. This way, you’ll enjoy delightful chunks in every scoop of your Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream.

Step 3: Create the Custard Base

Now, in a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, milk, remaining 3/4 cup sugar, and salt. Warm it all over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 3 to 4 minutes, just until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is steaming. You don’t want it to boil—gentle heat is key to creamy results!

Step 4: Temper the Egg Yolks

Place the egg yolks in a separate bowl and whisk them until smooth and a bit lighter in color. Next, slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the warm cream mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly. This gently brings the eggs up to temperature and prevents scrambling—your custard will thank you!

Step 5: Finish and Cook the Custard

Pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining cream. Return it to the stove over medium heat, stirring continuously for 5 to 8 minutes. Keep a close eye—it should thicken just enough to coat the back of a spoon, without ever boiling. If you have a thermometer, aim for 175-185 F.

Step 6: Strain and Add Peaches

Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large clean bowl and pour your custard through, catching any tiny bits for luxuriously smooth ice cream. Stir in the vanilla extract and all the macerated peaches with their juices, folding everything together gently but thoroughly.

Step 7: Chill the Mixture

Cover the bowl and refrigerate until your custard is completely cooled—at least four hours, or even better, overnight. This step sets the flavors and ensures your Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream churns up perfectly.

Step 8: Churn the Ice Cream

Pour your well-chilled mixture into an automatic ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions, usually about 20 to 25 minutes. The magic happens here, transforming your custard and peaches into soft, billowy ice cream.

Step 9: Freeze Until Firm

Transfer the freshly churned ice cream into an airtight container and freeze for at least two hours. This final step lets it set up for that classic, scoopable texture everyone loves.

How to Serve Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream

Garnishes

Enhance the old-timey charm of Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream with a crown of fresh peach slices, a sprig of mint, or a light sprinkle of crushed amaretti cookies. Each garnish adds a fresh twist that looks as lovely as it tastes, making dessert feel extra special with every serving.

Side Dishes

Pair your homemade ice cream with buttery shortbread cookies, crisp vanilla wafers, or a warm slice of pound cake. The contrast of textures is irresistible, and together, they make for a classic Southern summer dessert that’s hard to beat!

Creative Ways to Present

Transform Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream into a showstopper by serving it in vintage bowls, sugar cones, or even nestled between two cookies for an unforgettable ice cream sandwich. For a celebration, try scooping it over grilled peaches or topping it with a drizzle of honey for a modern touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Homemade ice cream is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, keep them in a tightly sealed container in the back of the freezer. This keeps your Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream creamy and prevents it from absorbing any funky freezer flavors.

Freezing

For the smoothest texture, press a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap directly against the surface of the ice cream before sealing the container. This helps prevent ice crystals and keeps every scoop as dreamy as the first.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t necessary with ice cream, but if it’s gotten too firm, simply let your Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream rest on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes before scooping. This brings back that luscious, just-churned consistency.

FAQs

Can I use frozen peaches instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen peaches work beautifully if fresh ones aren’t in season—just thaw and drain them well before using. The flavor will still be wonderful, and you’ll be able to enjoy Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream any time of year.

Is it safe to eat because of the raw eggs?

The egg yolks are gently cooked in the custard base, reaching a safe temperature (175-185 F), so there’s no need to worry about consuming raw eggs in this dessert.

How can I make it without an ice cream maker?

For a no-churn method, whip the custard until frothy, fold in the peaches, and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes for several hours. The result won’t be quite as creamy, but it will still capture the spirit of Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream.

Can I substitute the dairy with plant-based alternatives?

You can use full-fat coconut milk and a plant-based cream, along with a non-dairy milk, for a dairy-free version—keep in mind, the flavor and richness will vary, but you’ll still get a delightful treat.

What’s the best way to peel peaches easily?

Blanch the peaches by dropping them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then transferring to an ice bath. The skins should slip right off, leaving you with perfect, juicy fruit for your Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream.

Final Thoughts

I can’t encourage you enough to try Old Fashioned Peach Ice Cream this season. The process is half the fun, and the reward is a bowlful of sunshine you’ll want to make again and again. Gather your peaches, grab a friend or two, and make some sweet kitchen memories with this timeless treat!

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