No churn blackberry ice cream made right in your food processor ~ this easy method for homemade ice cream is genius (and delicious!)
blackberry ice cream without an ice cream maker
Everybody loves homemade ice cream, but not everybody has or wants an ice cream machine. I get it, it can take up limited kitchen space, especially if you only get the urge for homemade ice cream a couple of times a year.
what you’ll need
- heavy cream
- milk
- sugar
- vanilla
- blackberries ~ the blackberries need to be frozen, so you can freeze fresh berries or buy them already frozen. I vote for freezing fresh summer berries for fabulous results.
the no churn food processor method for making ice cream
I came across this idea here and decided to give it a try. It basically replaces the ice cream machine with the more common kitchen tool, the food processor. Here’s the gist:
- Combine your ice cream mixture as usual: mix cream, milk, sugar, and flavoring together until the sugar dissolves.
- Transfer it to a large heavy duty zip lock baggie.
- Place the baggie flat on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
- Break up the frozen cream mixture and process in a food processor until smooth.
- Blend in frozen berries until smooth.
- Spread into a pan and freeze until ready to enjoy.
variations on no churn blackberry ice cream
There’s lots of delicious options possible with this basic concept. The most obvious is to change up the fruit. Any berry will work beautifully, and bananas will make an especially creamy ice cream. Try swapping out the cream for a whole milk yogurt, or the sugar for honey. Lots of options!
I’m continually amazed at what the food processor can do. And at the incredible ingenuity of people who love ice cream 🙂 You’ll want to keep your food processor front and center on your counter all season long.
more no churn ice cream ideas!
- No Churn Bailey’s Ice Cream
- No Churn Wild Blueberry Frozen Yogurt
- Ballymaloe No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
- No Churn Cranberry Ice Cream
- No Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream
Easy No Churn Blackberry Ice Cream
Equipment
- full sized food processor I use this model
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 12 ounces frozen blackberries
Instructions
- Mix the heavy cream and sugar in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves. Take off the heat and add the milk and vanilla. Update: You can skip the stove and just stir the sugar into the cream, it will dissolve more slowly than if you heat it up, but it will dissolve.
- Cool the mixture and then pour it into a gallon sized zip lock bag. You can set the bag in a bowl to make this easier. Close the bag securely and lay it flat on a baking sheet. Put it in the freezer and freeze solid. I left mine overnight.
- Cut open the bag and break up the mixture into pieces. I used a knife to cut off chunks. Put them in a food processor and process until smooth. This will take a couple of minutes. Scrape down the machine and redistribute the chunks a few times to help your machine out.
- When the machine runs freely and the ice cream is smooth,
- Add in the frozen berries. The machine will take a while, but it will eventually get all the berries pureed into the ice cream. Redistribute the berries a few times during the process.
- Scrape the ice cream into a loaf pan and smooth it out. Cover with foil and place back in the freezer until firm enough to scoop.
- Scoop and enjoy (then start dreaming up your next batch!)
Notes
Nutrition
This really is brilliant! Some how over the years I have acquired not one but 2, TWO of this ice cream machines. I have made sorbets with my food processor but never thought one step further. I think that is what defines genius, having common sense and then taking that next step!
I have blackberry bushes surrounding my house, looking forward to this whole new way to use them!!
I made your icecream the other day. It’s delish! I want to let you know that I puréed the black berries & put them through a mesh strainer, that way there isn’t any seeds. I added the purée to the cream and sugar, then followed your steps. Great recipe!!! Thanks!????
You’re welcome!
So glad it worked out for you, Jill. I need to make that recipe again, the blackberries are looking fantastic at the farmer’s market.
i love blackberry ice cream. i haven’t had it in so long. this recipe looks amazing!
Hi there. The current Food on Friday on Carole’s Chatter is collecting links to posts about ice cream and sorbets – or anything similar like gelato. I do hope you link this in.
I love your blog but haven’t commented before. It is beautifully presented with some lovely recipes. I have made ice cream in a similar way for the past year and it is such a great method.
Looks Amazing!
This is my sister’s favorite flavor. Perhaps I should make her batch and I won’t be tempted to sit and eat the whole thing while I’m watching TV. I love the look and ease of this recipe.
oh. my. gosh. This is gorgeous! I know what you mean…that ice cream bowl takes up a good portion of my freezer and I never use it. This is brilliant and so pretty. The possibilities are endless. I’m not much of a gadget person and getting less and less, but I will never get rid of my food processor.
The more blackberries the better and yes on the dark chocolate – sounds wonderful and looks even better!
what a great color on that ice cream! and what a great idea–i’m thrilled to see it turned out so well. DEFINITELY worth a try.