Creamsicle Ice Cream Recipe

Closeup on some orange ice cream cones in a container of ice cream.

4.72 from 7 votes

This Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream Recipe is a delicious and nostalgic treat that combines a sweet cream base with an orange flavor. Fresh orange juice and zest add just the right amount of citrus to make this taste like the treat we grew up with!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword creamsicle ice cream recipe, orange ice cream

Prep Time 20

Churning Time 25

Total Time 45

Servings servings

Calories 373kcal

Author Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

1 ½ cups whole milk
4 large egg yolks
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups heavy cream
¾ cup orange juice
zest of one orange
2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
a pinch of salt

Instructions

Temper eggs. Combine the egg yolks and 1/4 cup of sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the whole milk to a saucepan and heat over medium heat to a temperature of 165 degrees. (Do not boil.)
When the milk is hot, pour 1/2 cup at a time into the eggs/sugar mixture, whisking constantly. Then pour the egg mixture back into the pan and heat again to 165 degrees.
Add remaining ingredients. Pour the hot mixture into an 8-cup measuring cup or large bowl. After it cools off some, add the remaining sugar, heavy cream, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Whisk well.
Zest the orange. Use a grater to zest one large orange. Add the zest to the mixture and whisk again.
Chill. Cover the liquid mixture with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least four hours before churning. The mixture should be VERY COLD!
Churn ice cream. Start your 2-quart ice cream maker (I use a KitchenAid Attachment with a stand mixer – linked below.) and pour the chilled ice cream mixture into the bowl (the attachment) while it’s running. Churn Orange ice cream until it becomes thick and creamy.
You’ll see the ice cream start to thicken and rise toward the top of the bowl. The mixer may slow down slightly. (This should take 25-35 minutes or so.)
Freeze. Pour ice cream into a freezer-safe container. Place the airtight container in the freezer to set up further. Initially, the ice cream will be very soft so freezing it for a couple of hours helps firm it up.
Serve. Serve orange creamsicle ice cream in cones or serving bowls.

Notes

Freeze the bowl ahead of time: The Kitchenaid ice cream maker attachment comes with a freezer bowl that needs to be frozen before use. Make sure to freeze it for at least 15 hours prior to making your ice cream.
Chill your ingredients: Before making your ice cream mixture, make sure to chill all the ingredients, including the milk, cream, and any mix-ins you plan to use. This will help the mixture freeze faster and prevent ice crystals from forming.
Don’t overfill the bowl: Make sure not to overfill the freezer bowl with the ice cream mixture, as this can prevent it from churning properly. Leave about 1 inch of space at the top.
Start the mixer on a low speed: When you’re ready to start churning your ice cream, begin with the mixer on a low speed. You can gradually increase the speed as the mixture thickens.

Nutrition