The mercury is soaring and there’s a glut of fruit in the garden (or the delivery box). What’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser with minimal effort and ingredients? Home-made ice cream. The endless possibilities of flavour combinations, toppings and methods can all feel a bit daunting to the gelato-novice, but if you’re looking for the perfect scoop to cool you off in a heatwave (and earn you some brownie points with the family), we have the seven best ice cream recipes from around the web – including ‘no churn’ options for those without an ice cream machine, as well as sorbet and frozen yoghurt options too. We’ve included seasonal fruit recipes, timeless classics and modern twists on flavour combinations to inspire your sundae this summer.

Salted Caramel Ice Cream

www.epicurious.com
Salted Caramel Ice Cream

The perfect foil to dark bitter chocolate or aromatic pistachio, salted caramel has been the new kid on the block in the ice cream world in recent years. We love the balance of sweet and salty flavours in this classic custard method recipe from Brooklyn based artisan ice-cream emporium, Van Leeuwen, which uses just six simple ingredients.

Classic Vanilla Ice Cream

www.bbcgoodfood.com
Vanilla ice cream in a bowl

If you want to perfect your ice cream making, start with the basics. Nailing a timeless vanilla may sound boring, but it is the flavour that will never go out of favour and a freezer staple you will reach for again and again as the perfect scoop with summer pies, crumbles, and tarts. We also love it on its own with a shot of espresso, or a drizzle of really good extra virgin olive oil. Trust us, it’s delicious.

Raspberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

www.countryliving.com
Raspberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Your garden may be bearing fruit about now and this toothsome raspberry cheesecake ice cream is the perfect choice for a glut of raspberries (or you could try this raspberry cordial recipe). The tangy cream cheese and tart raspberries stop it from being overly sweet, yet it remains super creamy. Top with crushed amaretti biscuits for bit of added crunch.

Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream

www.olivemagazine.com
Vietmanese coffee ice cream

Want to impress your dinner guests? This fragrant twist on an after-dinner classic coffee ice cream looks and tastes much more complicated than it actually is. We’ll let you in on a secret – it takes fifteen minutes to make and there’s no need for an ice cream machine either. The cinnamon and cardamom give it a beautiful perfumed note; simply serve with shavings of dark chocolate for an elegant close to a summer feast.

Blueberry And Basil Frozen Yoghurt

www.countryliving.com
Blueberry Basil Frozen Yogurt

Two other ingredients you may soonhave in abundance in your garden – blueberries and basil – happen to go together beautifully in this easy, frozen yoghurt recipe. Thanks to the berries and the yoghurt it has a pleasingly tart tang to it. Lighter than traditional ice creams, the added basil gives a fresh, summery note. Perfect with meringue and fresh berries as a seasonal summer pud.

Lemon Sorbet

www.jamieoliver.com
Lemon Sorbet

If there is anything that can transport you to the sparkling waters, vertiginous cliffs and timeless glamour of the Amalfi Coast, it’s a scoop of lemon sorbet. Italy in one bite – the singular flavour needs no adulteration – with just enough sugar to balance the acidity; simply let the lemon notes sing on the palette. Try it drizzled with limoncello for an adult-only digestivo and palate cleanser in one.

Vegan Banana Ice Cream

www.epicurious.com
Vegan Banana Ice Cream

If you’re dairy-intolerant or vegan, this could be the scoop for you. With just one ingredient – the humble – you can whip up a sweet, sugar-free, creamy frozen dessert. You can freeze the bananas ahead of time and whip up a batch whenever you’re in the mood. Once you’ve mastered the basics, throw in any additions that take your fancy, from chopped nuts to dark chocolate chunks. Quick, simple and gives you that ‘ice cream’ fix – minus the dairy.

By Lydia Mansi
Updated June 2023