Double Peach Ice Cream

Nothing says summer than a golden juicy peach. We are in the heart of the season and I am just ecstatic. Recently on a trip to Trader Joe’s, right front and center was a display of peaches in these boxes that resembled a freshly packed from the farm look. Almost looking like an old fashioned wooden crate, albeit these were cardboard.

My mind began racing and thought what to make with these gorgeous beautiful summer gems. As you may or may not be aware I have discovered my passion for making jam last year and each time the season changes or a new produce items becomes available, it is jam making time. My recipe for pure peach jam will be up soon. Stay tuned.

Along with the jam inspiration was my passion for making homemade ice creams. Although Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s make some pretty tasty ice cream and creative flavors, the taste of handcrafted ice cream can compare. I first flirted with the idea of making a simple vanilla ice cream and putting in chunks of peaches.

Tasty idea, but not quite bold enough. Then the idea hit, make a peach puree and blend into the vanilla ice cream and kick it up with adding chunks of fresh peaches at the end. The birth of double peach ice cream was born.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Do you have any super creative flavors you have experimented with?
Look forward to hearing from all of you.

Double Peach Ice Cream

About 1 quart

1 C. Half and Half
¼ t. Salt
3/4 C. sugar
2 t. Vanilla
2 C. heavy cream
6 large egg yolks
Heat the half n half, salt, and sugar in a saucepan.

To make the ice cream, set up an ice bath by placing a 2-quart (2l) bowl in a larger bowl partially filled with ice and water. Set a strainer over the top of the smaller bowl and pour the cream into the bowl.

In a separate bowl, stir together the egg yolks. Use the milk then gradually pour some of the milk into the yolks, whisking constantly as you pour. Scrape the warmed yolks and milk back into the saucepan.

Cook over low heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom with a heat-resistant spatula, until the custard thickens enough to coat the spatula.

Strain the custard into the heavy cream. Stir over the ice until cool, add the vanilla extract and refrigerate to chill thoroughly.

Stir in the peach puree in to the custard and freeze the custard in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Peach Puree

4 Large Peaches
½ C. Sugar
½ C. Water

Cut the peaches in half and remove the pits. Cut into small pieces and add to a small sauce pan with the sugar and water. Heat over medium heat until soft – about 10 minutes. Puree the mixture and set aside.

Once the mixture is processed and firm, place into a freezer container that is airtight and stir in about 1 cup finely diced fresh peaches. This will create the “double” peach effect.