Indulge in pure summer bliss with this Fresh Peach & Goat Cheese Ice Cream—a vibrant blend of juicy peaches and velvety goat cheese swirled into a luxurious, super creamy treat. This recipe is a celebration of simplicity and flavor, coming together easily with just a handful of wholesome ingredients and minimal effort. Whether you’re racing against a busy weeknight or just craving something homemade and delightful, this ice cream delivers a burst of tangy, sweet, and lush flavor in every luscious spoonful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless and Fast: This recipe takes only about 15 minutes of hands-on prep—perfect if you want homemade ice cream without spending your whole day in the kitchen.
- Unforgettable Flavor: The duet of ripe summer peaches with tangy, creamy goat cheese creates a taste that is both sophisticated and refreshingly playful.
- Unique but Approachable: If you’ve never tried goat cheese in ice cream, prepare to be wowed by its subtle tang and gentle creaminess—it’s a twist you’ll want to use again and again.
- Flexible and Fuss-Free: Doesn’t matter if you don’t have guar gum or if you need to substitute an ingredient or two—this recipe welcomes experimentation and will still churn out delicious results.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Jump right in and gather these straightforward kitchen staples:
- Fresh Peaches: The star of the show—choose ripe, fragrant peaches for maximum sweetness and vibrant peachy flavor. Peeling is easy and makes the texture silky.
- Granulated Sugar: Essential for sweetness, and it helps bring out the juice in the peaches.
- Lemon Juice: A splash brightens the flavors and perfectly balances the sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: For rounded, mellow undertones that tie all the flavors together.
- Almond Extract: Just a hint deepens the peach flavor and gives the ice cream a warm, nutty aroma.
- Fine Sea Salt: A tiny pinch brings all the flavors into sharper focus—don’t skip it!
- Heavy Cream: Delivers that luxurious, scoopable texture everyone craves in good ice cream.
- Mild Goat Cheese: Adds creaminess and a gentle tang; opt for fresh and mild varieties to keep the flavor balanced.
- Guar Gum (optional): Helps the ice cream stay smooth and creamy, especially for longer storage—but honestly, if you don’t have it, you can leave it out without worry!
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to put a personal spin on this dreamy ice cream:
- Swap Your Cheese: Try mascarpone or ricotta if goat cheese isn’t your thing.
- Go Boozy: Add a tablespoon of peach liqueur or bourbon for depth and an extra scoop of fun.
- Add Crunch: Chopped toasted almonds or amaretti cookies folded in after churning give textural contrast.
- Vegan Version: Use coconut cream and a soft vegan cheese alternative—still creamy and tangy!
- Berries Galore: Mix in fresh raspberries or blackberries for a burst of color and tartness.
How to Make Fresh Peach & Goat Cheese Ice Cream
Step 1: Prep Your Peaches
Bring a pot of water to a boil and gently score a shallow ‘X’ on the bottom of each peach. Dunk them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then immediately transfer them into an ice bath. When they’re cool enough, the skins will peel off effortlessly. Cut the peaches in half, remove pits, and coarsely chop—shoot for about 2 cups of chopped fruit.
Step 2: Blend the Base
In your trusty blender or food processor, combine the peaches, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, almond extract, and sea salt. If using guar gum, whisk it with a tablespoon of your sugar first, then add it in. Pulse until you get a fine chop—this is your flavor-packed base.
Step 3: Add Dairy and Goat Cheese
Toss in the heavy cream and crumbled goat cheese. Pulse a few more times at low speed, blending to your desired texture: a little chunky for those juicy peach bits, or smooth and uniform. Be careful not to over-blend, or you’ll end up with butter instead of ice cream!
Step 4: Chill the Mixture (Optional)
You can churn the mixture immediately, but for the absolute best texture and faster freeze time, chill the ice cream base for a few hours in the fridge. You’ll thank yourself later.
Step 5: Churn and Freeze
Pour your dreamy ice cream base into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions—aim for a soft-serve consistency. Transfer to a freezer container, gently press a layer of parchment paper directly onto the surface, cover, and freeze until firm, ideally overnight for perfect scoops.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Ripest Peaches Win: The more fragrant and yielding your peaches, the sweeter and more flavorful your ice cream will be.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the base makes for creamier, smoother ice cream—worth the small wait.
- Guar Gum Magic: If you want Instagram-worthy scoops and silky texture, guar gum helps prevent icy crystals, especially if you plan to store your ice cream for more than a few days.
- Taste as You Go: Not all peaches are the same—feel free to add a touch more sugar or extra lemon juice to match your taste buds and fruit ripeness.
How to Serve
This ice cream needs no embellishment, but serving it right takes the experience to the next level:
- Simple Scoops: Scoop straight from the freezer into bowls or cones—the tangy-sweet notes need no fanfare.
- With Toppings: Try a drizzle of local honey, a sprinkle of toasted almonds, or a few crushed amaretti cookies for crunch.
- Paired Desserts: Serve alongside peach galettes, almond shortbread, or even a slice of gingerbread for contrast.
- Festive Sundaes: Layer with fresh sliced peaches, a spoonful of berry compote, and a dollop of whipped cream for summer celebrations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your ice cream in an airtight freezer-safe container. Press a piece of parchment paper directly on the ice cream surface before sealing to keep ice crystals at bay. Your ice cream will taste fresh for up to a week, though it’s rare for leftovers to last that long!
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully. If you plan on keeping it longer than a week, the flavor and texture might dull slightly, but it will still be delicious. If the ice cream becomes a bit firm, just let it soften at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping.
Reheating
You don’t need to reheat—just allow the ice cream to rest on the counter for 10 minutes to regain that soft, scoopable perfection.
FAQs
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Can I use canned or frozen peaches?
Absolutely! If it isn’t peach season, canned or frozen peaches (thawed and drained) work well. Just know that peeled, fresh peaches will give the brightest flavor, but don’t let that stop you—use what you have and enjoy!
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Do I need an ice cream maker?
An ice cream maker gives the smoothest, creamiest result, but if you don’t have one, you can freeze the mixture in a shallow dish, stirring every half hour until set (about 3-4 hours). The texture will be a bit icier but still delicious.
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What kind of goat cheese is best?
Go for a mild, creamy young goat cheese (often labeled ‘chevre’). Strong or aged goat cheeses will overpower the peaches and make the ice cream too tangy.
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Is guar gum necessary?
Not at all! Guar gum is just a texture-enhancing optional extra. The recipe works beautifully without it, especially if you’re planning to eat the ice cream within a day or two.
Final Thoughts
Fresh Peach & Goat Cheese Ice Cream manages to be both elegant and comforting, bursting with summery flavor and built for sharing. Put your own spin on it, savor every tangy, creamy bite, and let this become the dessert you look forward to making over and over again. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever settled for store-bought!
PrintFresh Peach & Goat Cheese Ice Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours
- Yield: 8 servings (1 quart) 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Fresh Peach & Goat Cheese Ice Cream combines ripe, juicy peaches with creamy goat cheese for a sophisticated and refreshing homemade ice cream. The tang from the goat cheese pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of the peaches, creating a smooth, luscious dessert with subtle hints of almond and vanilla.
Ingredients
Fruit Base
- 1 1/2 pounds (700 g) fresh peaches (about 3 large or 4 small peaches)
- 2/3 cup (133 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
Creamy Mixture
- 1 1/2 cups (360 g) heavy cream
- 4 oz (113 g) mild goat cheese
Optional
- 1/8 teaspoon guar gum (optional, for improved texture and longevity)
Instructions
- Peel and Prep the Peaches: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Score a shallow X on the bottom of each peach. Gently lower the peaches into the boiling water for about 30 seconds, then transfer immediately to an ice bath. Once cooled, easily peel off the skins. Cut the peaches in half, remove the pits, and coarsely chop the flesh; you should end up with about 2 cups of chopped peach.
- Blend the Fruit Base: In a blender or food processor, combine the chopped peaches, granulated sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, almond extract, and sea salt. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped. If using guar gum, whisk it with a tablespoon of sugar first, then add this to the blender with the other ingredients.
- Add Cream and Goat Cheese: Add the heavy cream and mild goat cheese to the blender. Pulse a few more times on low speed until the mixture is smooth and well-blended. (Blend less for chunkier ice cream; blend longer for a smoother texture. Take care not to over-blend, or the cream may turn buttery.)
- Chill the Ice Cream Base: You may churn the ice cream mixture immediately, but for best results and faster freezing, chill the mixture for a few hours to lower its temperature.
- Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the mixture has reached the consistency of soft serve, transfer it to a freezer-safe container.
- Freeze Until Firm: Press a layer of parchment paper directly onto the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming. Cover with a lid and freeze overnight, or until firm and scoopable.
Notes
- Guar gum is optional but helps prevent ice crystals and improves the ice cream’s texture.
- The ice cream base can be prepared ahead of time and chilled for several hours for optimal results.
- For a more rustic ice cream, blend the mixture less to keep small pieces of peach.
- Use high-quality, ripe peaches for the best flavor.
- Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping if it’s very firm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 quart (about ½ cup)
- Calories: 225
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg