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This creamy and refreshing homemade lemon ice cream is made without an ice cream machine and will have you dreaming of summer days. Just mix, stir, and freeze 5 simple ingredients together – it’s a creamy no churn ice cream recipe!

ice cream in two stacked bowls with lemons in the back.


Easy Lemon Ice Cream – No churn!

Lemon lovers, rejoice! This easy no-churn lemon ice cream recipe is full of sweet and tangy lemon flavor that’s sure to be a hit. I love easy ice cream recipes, especially when they don’t require an ice cream machine

I made this lemon ice cream the “easy” way without the use of an ice cream maker, AKA No Churn Ice Cream

This recipe is heaven: It has an easy ice cream base that has the perfect lemon and sweet creamy balance. Toss your fresh ingredients together and freeze overnight to get the best no-churn lemon ice cream ever! 

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • You do not need an ice cream maker
  • It’s full of fresh lemon flavor
  • It tastes sweet and tangy
  • Only 15 minutes of prep time
ingredients in lemon ice cream.

Ingredients needed

  • Lemon: one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice 
  • Heavy whipping cream: You make fresh whipped cream which becomes the base of the ice cream.
  • Sweetened condensed milk: no need to add any sugar to this recipe since the sweetness comes from here
  • Lemon Zest: adding lemon zest makes any dessert more aromatic and flavorful 
  • Lemon extract: this is the secret ingredient to getting the perfect lemon flavor 

How to make lemon ice cream

  1. Beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form then set aside.
  2. Stir together sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and zest, and lemon extract. 
  3. Fold in whipped cream to the wet mixture.
  4. Freeze in an airtight container and freeze until hardened, at least 4 hours or overnight.
ice cream in two stacked bowls with lemons in the back.

Expert Tips

  • Leave your ice cream in the freezer overnight for a harder ice cream texture.
  • Want a fat-free ice cream? Use a fat-free Cool Whip in place of the heavy cream and swap fat-free sweetened condensed milk.
  • If you prefer soft serve ice cream, then freeze this recipe for about 3 hours instead of overnight.

FAQs

Is lemon ice cream good?

It’s a Summer favorite frozen dessert recipe since it’s no-bake, so easy, and incredibly refreshing. 

How long does ice cream last?

If left frozen in an airtight container, your ice cream should remain fresh for up to 1 month. 

Can you put lemon juice in ice cream?

Yes, you can. I do prefer fresh lemon juice over the store bought and i recommend fresh lemon zest. 

ice cream in two stacked bowls with lemons in the back.

Easy Lemon Ice Cream Recipe

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No ice cream machine is needed – just a few ingredients you stir together and freeze to make a rich and decadent, creamy lemon ice cream.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Yield 8 servings
Serving Size 1 serving

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Zest of one lemon
  • ½ teaspoon lemon extract
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Instructions

  • Beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  • Stir together sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and zest, and lemon extract. Fold in whipped cream.
  • Place in an airtight container and freeze until hardened, at least 4 hours or overnight.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

  • Feel free to use fat free sweetened condensed milk
  • Want a fat free ice cream? Use fat free Cool Whip (2 8-ounce containers) in place of the heavy cream.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 59mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 875IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

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Last Updated on June 19, 2023



Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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104 Comments

  1. Dorothy, we are like long lost twins! I am always cold (except when I am pregnant, and even now I am just comfortable instead of numb), except at night my husband calls me a radiator. And I eat ice cream ALL THE TIME. We have been known to do Carvel runs when it is snowing.

  2. OMG, I am totally trying this, like tomorrow! You don’t want to be living near me. It is only 30 degrees and I have a foot of snow in the yard. I could only wish for a 70 degree day, but we won’t be seeing that in Buffalo until June, ugh!

    1. I couldn’t do it! But, then again, we lived in AZ too and I was SO hot. I need neutral weather. 🙂

  3. I go for popsicles when the hot flashes hit. They work fabulously!

    Lemon ice cream sounds a little odd but I bet it’s fantastic~

  4. Dorothy, this sounds fabulous! We’re supposed to get up to 70 degrees on Thursday I think. If I make this tomorrow I can sit out on the back deck in my shorts and pretend it’s summer while eating a bowl of Skinny Ice Cream!

    1. As much as I love those 70 degree days, we often end up skipping those and heading right to 80s and up. I don’t want to go there! 🙂

  5. Dorothy, your pictures are SO GOOD. Seriously, girl, these are amazing! And so is this ice cream!

  6. Oh my gosh – I have the same problem! My fingernails are constantly purple during the winter! Then at night I feel like swamp thing. This ice cream looks amazing though! I am SUCH a fan of these quick and easy ice creams. Delicious!

    1. Thanks Lindsay! Purple is my normal in winter. No one even comments how I’m “dead” anymore, they are so used to it. LOL!

  7. Oh lemon, how I love thee. This looks so good Dorothy! I’ve never made icecream this way, but think it’s time to try!!

  8. I agree with Amy; great pics! Glad you enjoyed the lemons. I thought they smelled wonderful when I was picking them (I just don’t like lemon flavored desserts).
    Love, Mom

  9. First, your pictures are BEAUTIFUL. They look as if they have come right out of a magazine. Stunning. Second, your description of winter and being cold, oh my…you made me laugh and I had to nod in agreement. I wish my 4 year old felt the same but she loves to be outside even when it is freezing out. Third, your ice cream recipe looks refreshing and delicious.

    1. Thank you! I know, my daughter is always out in shirtsleeves and I’m always shivering next to her. They must have different thermostats! 🙂

  10. Mm, I friggin LOVE lemon anything. I hope you know this for my birthday in two weeks, hint hint 😉 hehe, I kid, but still, this ice cream looks fab. I actually ate ice cream last night with my hands wrapped in a towel because the bowl was far too cold, but my desire to eat ice cream was far too strong. Problems.