No-Churn Lime Ice Cream

Name: No-Churn Lime Ice Cream
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 255 min
Ingredients: 2 tsp lime zest - very finely zested (See Note 1); 1/4 cup (60 ml) lime juice - freshly squeezed and strained; 1 cup (220 g) caster/superfine sugar; 2 1/2 cups (600 ml) thickened/heavy whipping cream (See Note 2)

For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

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Easy, creamy and so delicious, my No-Churn Lime Ice Cream is so simple to prepare and tastes fantastic! Containing just three ingredients, this recipe will have you enjoying tangy, smooth ice cream with minimum preparation time.

Bowl with several scoops of ice cream, garnished with lime zest.

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Why you’ll love this recipe:
Ingredients in this recipe:
How to Make Lime Ice Cream:
Tips for success and FAQs:
Variations and Substitutions:
Serving Suggestions:
More delicious recipes for you to try:
No-Churn Lime Ice Cream

Why you’ll love this recipe:

Inspired by my Lemon Ice Cream Recipe, which was gifted to me by my Godmother, this tangy Lime Ice Cream could not be simpler to prepare.

There are no special techniques required – you just whiz all the ingredients together in a food processor and then freeze. It could not be simpler.

Just three ingredients are required, and the recipe contains no eggs or condensed milk!

You will love this No-Churn Lime Ice Cream because:

It only takes about 15 minutes of minimal effort before placing it in the freezer.
No technical skills are necessary. If you don’t have any kitchen experience, you can still make this No-Churn Lime Ice Cream.
You do not require an ice cream machine to make this delicious dessert – it is made in a food processor.
It is not necessary to stir it to prevent ice crystals from forming.
The texture is rich and creamy, the flavour is of bright, tangy lime.
It is made in advance; a great help when entertaining.

Ingredients in this recipe:

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

Fresh limes – we use the zest and juice.

Caster/superfine sugar – it dissolves more readily than granulated.

Whipping cream – we have used heavy whipping/thickened cream, which contains a minimum of 35% milk fat.

How to Make Lime Ice Cream:

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

Steps 1-2 of preparing this recipe - the sugar, zest and juice in a food processor and the blended mixture.

1 – Add the citrus and sugar to the food processor:
Zest then juice your limes, and add to the bowl of a food processor, along with your caster/superfine sugar.

2 – Mix the citrus and sugar:
Mix the lime zest, juice and sugar together to combine.

Steps 3-4 of preparing this recipe - adding the cream through the feed tube and letting the mixture blend.

3 – Start to add the cream:
With the motor of your food processor running, slowly add the cream to the citrus and sugar mixture.

4 – Mix until thick:
Process just until the mixture thickens to a texture similar to whipped cream.

Steps 5-6 of preparing this recipe - the thickened cream mixture in the processor and in a dish ready for the freezer.

5 – The consistency of whipped cream:
When your mixture is thick and creamy, just like whipped cream, it is ready.

6 – Add the mixture to your dish:
Spoon the ice cream into an airtight freezer container or a dish.

Steps 7-8 of preparing this recipe - topping the dish with cling film and scooping a serve of ice cream once frozen.

7 – Cover in cling wrap:
Place a lid on the dish, or cover in two layers of cling wrap.

8 – Scoop and enjoy:
Freeze for approximately 4 hours. Remove from the fridge 15 minutes prior to serving. Scoop and enjoy your No-Churn Lime Ice Cream.

Spoon dipping into bowl with several scoops of ice cream, garnished with lime zest.

Tips for success and FAQs:

This is a very simple recipe to prepare. I recommend removing the Lime Ice Cream from the freezer about 10-15 minutes before serving to allow it to soften a little.

How long does the No-Churn Lime Ice Cream last?

Without the additives found in commercial ice cream, I have found that homemade ice cream does not keep well. It is best enjoyed within 5 days for the optimal texture and flavour.

Can I reduce the sugar?

We do not recommend reducing the sugar for this recipe. Sugar plays an important part in the setting and thickness of the recipe. It helps prevent the formation of ice crystals, thus keeping it smooth and creamy.

How should I store the ice cream?

Store the No-Churn Lime Ice Cream in the freezer in a freezer-safe, shallow, airtight container. As an extra precaution against the formation of ice crystals, press a piece of plastic wrap onto the surface of the Ice Cream.

Variations and Substitutions:

Food Processor – if you do not have a food processor, you can also prepare this recipe in a stand mixer or use electric hand beaters.

Lime Juice – no limes on hand, or prefer the taste of lemon? Simply switch out the lime zest and juice to the same amount of lemon zest and juice.

Bowl with several scoops of ice cream, garnished with lime zest, with a spoon sitting in it.

Serving Suggestions:

Although delicious on its own, you can further elevate this Lime Ice Cream by serving it with:

A fresh berry sauce such as Blueberry or Strawberry.
Fruit Salad.
Shortbread Cookies.

Enjoy this creamy, tangy and vibrant No-Churn Lime Ice Cream, and be sure to let me know in the comments below what you think!

Alex xx

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