There’s something undeniably joyful about a bowl of homemade Orange Ice Cream—the sweet burst of citrus, creamy texture, and cheery color practically beg you to scoop a little more. If you crave the nostalgia of orange creamsicles or simply love easy, from-scratch desserts, this recipe will become your new summer favorite. Whether you’re treating yourself after a hot day or impressing dinner guests, Orange Ice Cream delivers bright, sunny flavors in every bite and is surprisingly simple to make at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a few accessible ingredients, you’ll transform classic flavors into an unforgettable treat. Each component works magic for the taste, texture, or sunny hue—no fancy tools or hard-to-find items required!

Fresh orange juice: Squeezing your own oranges brings out that vibrant, tangy sweetness that sets this Orange Ice Cream apart from any store-bought version.
Orange zest: A tablespoon of zest unlocks fragrant oils, infusing every spoonful with citrus perfume and flavor depth.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and softens the ice cream, ensuring a velvety, scoopable finish.
Whole milk: Adds a touch of richness without overpowering the bright citrus notes.
Heavy cream: The key to that ultra-creamy, luxurious texture everyone loves in homemade ice cream.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the orange flavor and adds a subtle warmth that ties everything together.
Pinch of salt: Just a little helps balance and amplify the sweetness and citrus flavor, making each bite more vibrant.

How to Make Orange Ice Cream

Step 1: Whisk the Citrus Mixture

Start by whisking together your fresh orange juice, fragrant orange zest, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. This simple mix not only dissolves the sugar but also infuses the sugar with bright citrus zest, laying the foundation for the lively flavor in every scoop.

Step 2: Add the Dairy and Vanilla

Gently stir in the whole milk, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until the mixture is completely smooth and well blended. Watch the pale orange hue swirl together—it’s a happy little moment that foreshadows the creamy dessert to come.

Step 3: Chill the Base

For the creamiest Orange Ice Cream, cover your bowl and refrigerate it for at least 2 to 3 hours, until the mixture is ice-cold. This not only melds flavors but also helps the ice cream churn up with that perfect, dreamy texture.

Step 4: Churn to Perfection

Pour your chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually about 20 to 25 minutes. It’s ready when it reaches a soft-serve consistency—rich, creamy, and bursting with fresh orange essence.

Step 5: Freeze Until Firm

Transfer the soft Orange Ice Cream to a freezer-safe container, smoothing the top with a spatula. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until it’s firm enough to scoop. The anticipation is part of the fun!

How to Serve Orange Ice Cream

Garnishes

Dress up your scoops with a flourish of fresh orange slices, a sprinkle of extra zest, or even a mint leaf for a pop of color. These finishing touches highlight the fresh citrus flavor and make your Orange Ice Cream feel just a little more special.

Side Dishes

Orange Ice Cream pairs delightfully with buttery shortbread cookies, slices of classic pound cake, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a creamsicle-inspired duo. The gentle sweetness of these sides lets that bold citrus shine.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Orange Ice Cream in hollowed orange halves for a playful, summery vibe, or layer scoops into ice cream sandwiches using soft sugar cookies. For guests, try mini parfait glasses with alternating layers of ice cream and crushed graham crackers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any remaining Orange Ice Cream in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Press a piece of parchment or plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing to help prevent icy crystals, and it’ll stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Freezing

The beauty of homemade ice cream is that it freezes beautifully. For best results, use a shallow, wide container (which helps it firm up evenly) and keep it at the back of the freezer, where temps are coldest and most stable.

Reheating

If your Orange Ice Cream becomes too firm, just set the container on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes before scooping. No actual reheating needed—just a little patience while it softens to that luscious, creamy consistency.

FAQs

Can I make Orange Ice Cream without an ice cream maker?

Absolutely! After chilling the mixture, pour it into a shallow pan and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir vigorously with a fork for 2-3 hours. It won’t be quite as creamy, but you’ll still get lovely homemade flavor.

How do I prevent icy texture?

Be sure to thoroughly dissolve the sugar and chill the base before churning. Pressing parchment directly onto the surface before freezing also helps reduce ice crystals, so your ice cream stays smooth and scoopable.

Can I make a dairy-free version?

Definitely! Swap in full-fat coconut milk for both the whole milk and heavy cream—it creates a luscious, dairy-free Orange Ice Cream that still offers a dreamy citrus punch.

Is it necessary to strain the orange juice?

Straining the juice is optional but recommended if you prefer a super-smooth ice cream without bits of pulp. Either way, the bright flavor remains pure and delicious.

Can I add food coloring for a more vibrant hue?

You can! Just a drop or two of orange food coloring will give your Orange Ice Cream an irresistible, sunny glow—perfect for parties or making it look extra poppy for kids!

Final Thoughts

It’s nearly impossible not to smile when a bowl of homemade Orange Ice Cream lands in front of you—the combination of creamy texture and zesty citrus flavor is pure summer in a scoop. Give it a whirl, share with friends, and savor every delightful, sunshiny bite!

Orange Ice Cream Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 24 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the refreshing and creamy goodness of homemade Orange Ice Cream. Bursting with zesty citrus flavor, this frozen treat is the perfect dessert for hot summer days.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Orange Ice Cream:

1 cup fresh orange juice (from about 3–4 oranges)
1 tablespoon orange zest
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, sugar, and salt until sugar dissolves.
Add Dairy: Stir in whole milk, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Chill: Cover and refrigerate mixture for 2–3 hours until thoroughly chilled.
Churn: Pour mixture into ice cream maker and churn for 20–25 minutes or until soft-serve consistency.
Freeze: Transfer to a container, freeze for at least 4 hours until firm.
Serve: Scoop and garnish with orange slices or zest.