This refreshing Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream will take you back to your childhood! Made with fresh, real ingredients you will enjoy sharing with your children.
I admit I don't make this often, but if you've been around here long, you know fresh citrus is hard to come by in northern BC, let alone organic. So when I do get a good amount of oranges, I go ahead and make this amazing creamsicle ice cream!
Fresh orange juice is key here. Yes, you can definitely make it from the store-bought orange juice, but it really tastes the best when you squeeze your own oranges. It's a great activity for the kids to do. And frankly, fresh oranges also make a really mean Dutch Oven Ham, so save some for that!
Key Ingredients
Oranges - You'll need about 6-8 oranges to get a little over 3 cups of juice. It all depends on size of the fruit. We'll also use zest to increase the flavour.
Cream - Heavy whipping cream makes your ice cream...creamy! The orange juice is of course fairly icy when frozen, so this combats the ice.
Sugar - I like organic cane sugar, but any sort of granulated sugar works.
How to Make Dreamsicle Ice Cream
***See recipe card below for precise measurements and instructions.***
Step 1: Zest your oranges and set that aside, then juice them up.
Step 2: Whisk half the sugar into the orange juice, and the other half will be whipped into the cream.
Step 3: Combine cream and orange juice until all one colour.
Step 4: Stir in the zest and add to your ice cream machine and follow the churning instructions.
Step 5: Enjoy immediately as soft serve or you can freeze it for later!
Special Equipment
The best budget option I've found is the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker, 2-Quart. It still costs a fair bit but we have used it SO much it has entirely paid for itself.
A super splurge is the Whynter 2-Quart. I got it for my birthday and it is so fun to have something fancy that we truly use. The reason it costs more is you don't have to store the bowl in the freezer since it has its own compressor. Paying for the convenience.
If you aren't ready to invest in equipment yet, I've also got a no-churn ice cream recipe that turns out perfect every time! Dairy-free berry popsicles are also great and only need a blender.
FAQs
Zest first, when you have the whole, firm fruit to hold on to! A microplane is a really great tool to keep on hand. It's perfect for fruit, nutmeg, and even chocolate and parmesan! You can also use small holes on a box grater or if you don't have either, use a vegetable peeler and chop with a knife. Then use your favourite juicer whether it's a reamer or something you squeeze. Warm fruit will give you more juice, and rolling it on the counter before juicing also helps.
I had an interesting chat with my team because some are in Canada and some in the US, and "cream" has different definitions. Also many bottles/cartons in the US don't even list the fat percentage so it's a guessing game. "Heavy" whipping cream might have more fat than "whipping cream" so grab that if you see it. Basically, more fat is better to really make a creamy final product so don't skimp when it comes to this treat!
Yes, you definitely need to churn this ice cream. But - hit up the thrift stores first! Many people think they want to make ice cream and then they give up on it and donate it. Their loss is your gain! This gives you an affordable way to see if you will be "that family" that makes all their favourites from scratch, such as mint chip ice cream.
Photos by Dante from Shire by the Sea
More Ice Cream Recipes
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Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 750 ml freshly squeezed orange juice 6-8 oranges depending on the size
- 750 ml whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 cup organic cane sugar or granulated sugar
- Dark chocolate optional
Instructions
- Zest oranges until you have a tablespoon; zest more if you want a stronger flavour (I wouldn’t go past 2 tablespoons).
- Juice oranges and measure to 750 ml.
- In a large bowl, add orange juice and ½ cup sugar; stir.
- On slow setting with a hand mixer, whip up the cream with ½ cup sugar until starting to peak but not into full whipped cream territory.
- Slowly pour cream into your orange mix and stir thoroughly.
- Add mix to your ice cream maker and churn according to instructions.
- Ice cream may be eaten immediately as soft serve or transferred to freezer for hardening and later consumption.
- Serve with shaved dark chocolate on top if you enjoy the wonderful combo of orange and chocolate!
Notes
- You can use orange juice from the store, but I really don't think it tastes as amazing!
- Zest your oranges before juicing as it's much easier.
- Also do the chocolate on your microplane - only one dirty item that way!
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