The Perfect Brown Butter Lemon Ice Cream Recipe for Summer Bliss

Brown butter upgrades ordinary lemon ice cream into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

This luxurious frozen dessert marries nutty, caramelized butter notes with bright citrus essence.

Rich, golden-hued butter undergoes a magical metamorphosis when gently heated, developing complex and intensely aromatic characteristics.

Delicate lemon zest weaves through the creamy base, creating a harmonious balance of tangy and smooth flavors.

Each spoonful promises a sophisticated dance of warmth and brightness that elevates traditional ice cream expectations.

The technique requires precision and patience, rewarding you with an incomparable frozen treat that tingles taste buds and sparks conversation.

Prepare to enchant friends and family with this unexpected flavor combination.

Butter, Lemon, and Ice Cream? Yes Please

• Savor Luxurious Flavor Complexity: This brown butter lemon ice cream delivers an incredible taste journey with rich brown butter notes, bright citrusy tang, and sweet undertones that dance together in every creamy spoonful.
• Master Sophisticated No-Churn Technique: Skip complicated ice cream machines and enjoy a professional-level dessert using simple whisking and folding methods that transform basic ingredients into an elegant frozen treat anyone can create.
• Experience Delightful Textural Contrasts: Smooth, silky ice cream meets swirled pockets of intense lemon curd and nutty brown butter, creating unexpected bursts of flavor and creamy-tangy sensations with each delicious bite.
• Craft Perfect Summer Celebration Dessert: Ideal for backyard gatherings, dinner parties, or personal indulgence, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that impresses without requiring advanced culinary skills.

What to Grab for a Zesty Chill

• Lemon Juice and Zest: Bright, tangy flavor that gives the ice cream its signature citrus punch. Fresh lemons work best for maximum flavor.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the sweet and tangy notes in the recipe.

• Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates a light, fluffy base that provides creamy texture and volume. Full-fat cream ensures richness.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and helps create a smooth, soft-set ice cream texture.
• Butter: Used for browning to develop a nutty, caramel-like flavor. Unsalted butter recommended for better control of saltiness.

• Sugar: Provides overall sweetness and helps with texture in the lemon curd.
• Eggs: Crucial for thickening and stabilizing the lemon curd.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth and caramel undertones to the ice cream.
• Cinnamon: Offers a warm, subtle spice that complements the citrus and brown butter flavors.

Whisk and Churn Your Way to Glory

Step 1: Prepare Lemon Curd

Gather sugar, eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, butter, and salt.

Combine everything in a small nonstick or enameled saucepan over medium-low heat.

Whisk constantly for about 5 minutes until the curd thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Press the hot mixture through a sieve into a clean bowl for smooth texture.

Cover and let it cool to room temperature.

Refrigerate any leftover curd until needed.

Step 2: Create Brown Butter

Cut cold butter into small cubes and place in a light-colored saucepan over medium-low heat.

Stir occasionally as the butter melts and begins to bubble.

Once it starts to foam, stir constantly and scrape the bottom to prevent burning.

Continue until the butter turns a deep amber color and smells nutty.

Immediately transfer to a heat-safe jar and let it cool completely.

Step 3: Whip Ice Cream Base

In a mixing bowl, beat heavy whipping cream at medium speed until it thickens.

Increase to high speed and whip until stiff peaks form.

Add in the sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and salt.

Beat again until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.

Step 4: Create Swirled Ice Cream Mixture

Gently fold in cinnamon, brown sugar, half of the prepared lemon curd, and cooled brown butter.

Stir just enough to create a marbled swirl without fully blending.

Step 5: Layer and Freeze Ice Cream

Spoon half of the mixture into a loaf pan and add dollops of lemon curd and brown butter.

Use a knife to swirl the add-ins through the layer.

Repeat with the remaining ice cream mixture and swirl again.

Cover the pan tightly and freeze for at least 8 hours before scooping and serving.

Tips for Creamy Lemon With a Nutty Twist

• Control Heat Carefully: Watch the butter and lemon curd temperatures closely to prevent burning or curdling, which can ruin the delicate flavors.
• Swirl with Precision: Use a knife's tip to create elegant, thin swirls of lemon curd and brown butter for a beautiful marbled effect in the ice cream.
• Strain Lemon Curd Smoothly: Press the hot lemon curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any egg bits, ensuring a silky-smooth texture.
• Brown Butter Brilliance: Use a light-colored pan to easily monitor the butter's color change and prevent overcooking during browning.
• Whip Cream Perfectly: Ensure heavy cream is cold and use a chilled bowl to achieve the most stable and voluminous whipped cream base.

How to Store Ice Cream Like a Pro

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover ice cream to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals from forming. Store in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
• Serving: Remove the ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Use a warm, clean ice cream scoop for smooth, easy scooping.
• Preventing Freezer Burn: Minimize air exposure by keeping the container sealed and avoiding frequent temperature changes. Always return the ice cream to the freezer immediately after scooping to maintain its creamy texture.

What to Pair with Bright, Buttery Scoops

• Pair with Crisp Citrus Cocktail: Craft a refreshing gin-based cocktail with fresh lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, and a sprig of thyme to complement the brown butter's nutty notes and the lemon's bright acidity.
• Match with Almond Biscotti: Serve crunchy, golden almond biscotti alongside the ice cream to provide a delightful textural contrast and enhance the dessert's nutty brown butter undertones.
• Create a Lavender Honey Drizzle: Prepare a light lavender-infused honey sauce to pour over the ice cream, adding a delicate floral sweetness that beautifully balances the tangy lemon and rich brown butter flavors.
• Garnish with Toasted Pistachios: Sprinkle finely chopped toasted pistachios on top of the ice cream to introduce a delightful crunch and nutty depth that echoes the brown butter's complexity.

Bold Ice Cream Ideas to Try Next

• Lavender Lemon Dream: Infuse the brown butter with dried lavender flowers for a delicate floral undertone. Reduce lemon juice slightly and add crushed lavender buds to the ice cream mixture for an elegant herbal essence.
• Toasted Almond Citrus Crunch: Fold in toasted, chopped almonds and sprinkle almond praline pieces throughout the ice cream. Replace half the brown butter with almond brown butter for an intensified nutty flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Honey Zest: Substitute half the sweetened condensed milk with local honey. Add a pinch of cardamom and garnish with candied lemon peel. Use orange blossom honey for a subtle Mediterranean-inspired variation.
• Ginger Spice Swirl: Incorporate finely minced crystallized ginger into the lemon curd. Create a ginger-caramel sauce to layer between ice cream swirls. Dust the top with ground ginger for an extra warming kick.

Brown Butter Lemon Ice Cream Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Silky brown butter lemon ice cream offers a luxurious dance of nutty and citrus notes. Creamy, tangy elegance whisks you through Mediterranean sunshine with each cool, indulgent spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Base Ingredients:

• 2 cups (18 ounces/510 grams) heavy whipping cream, cold
• 1 can (14 ounces/397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• ¼ cup (2 ounces/57 grams) salted butter, browned and cooled

Lemon Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (2 ounces/57 grams) freshly-squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
• ¼ cup (1.8 ounces/50 grams) granulated sugar

Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (25 grams) light brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter, softened or melted
• Tiny pinch fine sea salt (for lemon curd)
• Tiny pinch fine sea salt (for ice cream)

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Instructions

1. Craft the lemon curd by combining granulated sugar, eggs, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, unsalted butter, and a pinch of salt in a small nonstick or enameled saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Whisk the mixture continuously for approximately 5 minutes, ensuring the consistency becomes thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon.
3. While the lemon curd is still hot, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or jar, then cover and allow to cool to room temperature.
4. For the brown butter, slice cold butter into uniform cubes and place in a light-colored, medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat.
5. Stir the butter occasionally as it begins to bubble, then continuously while it foams, carefully scraping the bottom to prevent burning until the butter transforms into a rich amber color.
6. Transfer the browned butter to a heat-safe jar and let it cool completely.
7. In a stand mixer, whip heavy whipping cream at medium speed until it thickens, then increase to high speed until stiff peaks form.
8. Incorporate sweetened condensed milk, fresh lemon juice, and salt into the whipped cream, beating until fully integrated.
9. Gently fold ground cinnamon, brown sugar, half of the prepared lemon curd, and cooled brown butter into the mixture, creating a delicate swirl.
10. Spread half of the ice cream base into a freezer-safe container, then add strategic dollops of remaining lemon curd and brown butter.
11. Use a knife to create elegant swirls throughout the mixture, then repeat the layering process with the remaining ingredients.
12. Cover the container and freeze for a minimum of 8 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to set.

Notes

• Precise whisking prevents scrambling eggs when making lemon curd, ensuring a smooth, silky texture.
• Brown butter adds a nutty, caramelized depth that transforms ordinary ice cream into an extraordinary dessert.
• Freezing for at least 8 hours allows flavors to meld and develop a rich, creamy consistency.
• Use a light-colored saucepan when browning butter to easily monitor color changes and prevent burning.
• Stiff peaks in whipped cream create an airy, luxurious base that makes the ice cream incredibly light.
• Swirling lemon curd and brown butter creates beautiful marbling and ensures complex, layered flavor in every bite.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks, Drinks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 445 kcal
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg