Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

Prep: 15 min Cuisine: American

Creamy homemade strawberry ice cream with a smooth texture and sweet flavor, perfect for hot days or as a delightful treat for family and friends.

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Ingredients

  • 1 (5 1/2 oz.) pkg. vanilla instant pudding
  • 2 c. sugar
  • 4 c. milk
  • 1 c. water
  • 1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk

Instructions

  1. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl; add remaining ingredients, stirring to mix.
  2. Pour mixture into a 1-gallon ice cream freezer and freeze.
  3. Let ripen for 1 hour before serving.

Tips & Substitutions

For a creamier texture, consider substituting half of the milk with heavy cream. If you prefer a less sweet ice cream, reduce the sugar to 1 1/2 cups. To enhance the strawberry flavor, add a cup of fresh or frozen strawberries, pureed, to the mixture before freezing. This recipe is versatile and can be adapted for various flavors, like those found in American recipes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your homemade strawberry ice cream in bowls or cones, topped with fresh strawberries or a drizzle of chocolate syrup. It pairs wonderfully with desserts like microwave chocolate pecan pie or can be used as a filling for ice cream sandwiches. Consider serving it alongside a slice of rich egg bread for a delightful contrast.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer. To keep it from becoming too hard, place a piece of parchment paper directly on the surface before sealing. When you're ready to enjoy it again, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften before scooping.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream contains roughly 618 calories, with 11g protein, 114g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (184% of the Daily Value), calcium (42% of the Daily Value), and iron (37% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 643mg per serving (28% of the Daily Value).

618 kcal 31% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 11.3g 23% DV
Total Fat 14.4g 18% DV
Carbs 114.4g 42% DV
Fiber 6.3g 22% DV
Sugar 75.7g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 643mg 28% DV
Potassium 816.6mg 17% DV
Cholesterol 18.7mg 6% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 205.6mcg 23% DV
Vitamin C 165.3mg 100% DV
Vitamin D 1.6mcg 8% DV
Calcium 549.4mg 42% DV
Iron 6.7mg 37% DV
Diet fit High-fiber Low-fat
Contains Milk

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of instant pudding?

Yes, you can use fresh strawberries! Just puree about 2 cups of ripe strawberries and mix them into the base for a more natural flavor. You may want to adjust the sugar based on the sweetness of the strawberries.

How long does it take to freeze the ice cream?

The ice cream mixture will typically take about 4-6 hours to freeze in an ice cream maker. For best results, allow it to ripen in the freezer for an additional hour after churning.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can make a dairy-free version by substituting regular milk with almond, soy, or coconut milk and using a dairy-free pudding mix. Just ensure all other ingredients are also dairy-free to maintain the desired consistency.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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