Blue Moon Ice Cream Recipe

Introduction

Blue Moon Ice Cream is a fun and vibrant treat with a unique, fruity flavor that’s perfect for summer days or any time you want a cool, refreshing dessert. Its creamy texture and bright blue color make it a delightful choice for ice cream lovers looking to try something a little different.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla pudding mix
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon raspberry extract or 1 cup raspberries
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon blue food coloring

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 cup of whole milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it reaches boiling point.
2. Step 2: Add the sugar and salt to the hot milk, stirring continuously until they completely dissolve.
3. Step 3: Remove the mixture from heat and stir in the heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, vanilla pudding mix, raspberry extract (or fresh raspberries), and lemon extract until fully combined and smooth.
4. Step 4: Add the blue food coloring and mix thoroughly until the color is evenly distributed and you achieve your desired shade of blue.
5. Step 5: Place the mixture into the refrigerator and chill completely, allowing the flavors to meld and the base to cool before churning.
6. Step 6: Transfer the chilled mixture to your ice cream maker and process it according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a creamy and soft-serve consistency.
7. Step 7: Serve your homemade Blue Moon Ice Cream immediately for a soft treat, or freeze further for a firmer texture. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For a natural twist, replace the raspberry extract with fresh, pureed raspberries for a more authentic fruit flavor.
• If you prefer a less intense blue hue, start with half the amount of food coloring and adjust gradually.
• Adding a little lemon zest along with the lemon extract can enhance the citrus notes in the ice cream.
• Make sure to chill the mixture thoroughly before churning to improve the texture and consistency of the finished ice cream.

Storage

Store Blue Moon Ice Cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks to maintain freshness and flavor. To soften before serving, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes or warm briefly in the microwave on a low setting for a few seconds.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Blue Moon Ice Cream without an ice cream maker?

Yes, you can use the no-churn method by freezing the mixture in a shallow container and stirring vigorously every 30 minutes until it reaches a creamy texture. However, the texture may be slightly less smooth than when using an ice cream maker.

What gives Blue Moon Ice Cream its distinctive flavor?

Its unique taste comes from a combination of vanilla, raspberry, and lemon extracts blended with the creamy base and the signature blue food coloring that creates its iconic bright blue appearance.

Blue Moon Ice Cream Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 125 reviews

Blue Moon Ice Cream is a delightful, creamy homemade ice cream known for its vibrant blue color and unique fruity flavors from raspberry and lemon extracts. This recipe combines the richness of whole milk and heavy cream with vanilla pudding mix for an ultra-smooth texture, making it a refreshing and visually striking dessert perfect for any occasion.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours (including chilling and churning time)
• Yield: About 1 quart (4 servings) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Ice Cream Maker (Churning)
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dairy

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream

Sweeteners and Flavorings

• ½ cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla pudding mix
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon raspberry extract or 1 cup raspberries
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon blue food coloring

Instructions

1. Heat the milk: Pour 1 cup of whole milk into a saucepan and heat it over medium heat until it reaches boiling point, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
2. Dissolve sugar and salt: Add ½ cup sugar and ¼ teaspoon salt to the hot milk, stirring constantly until completely dissolved to create a sweet base for the ice cream.
3. Add cream and flavorings: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, 3 teaspoons vanilla pudding mix, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon raspberry extract (or 1 cup raspberries if preferred), and 1 teaspoon lemon extract. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
4. Add coloring: Stir in ½ teaspoon blue food coloring to give the mixture its characteristic bright blue color. Adjust the amount slightly if needed for your desired hue.
5. Chill the mixture: Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator and chill completely. This step is essential to ensure the ice cream churns properly and achieves a smooth texture.
6. Churn the ice cream: Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and process it according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a creamy, soft-serve consistency.
7. Serve and enjoy: Scoop the Blue Moon Ice Cream into bowls or cones and enjoy its unique, fruity flavor and creamy texture immediately, or freeze for firmer consistency.

Notes

• If using fresh raspberries instead of raspberry extract, you can puree them and strain out seeds for a smoother texture.
• Ensure the mixture is thoroughly chilled before churning to achieve the best ice cream texture.
• Blue food coloring is used purely for visual appeal and can be adjusted or omitted if preferred.
• Vanilla pudding mix acts as a stabilizer to keep the ice cream creamy and smooth.
• Store leftover ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer to maintain freshness.

Keywords: Blue Moon Ice Cream, homemade ice cream, blue ice cream, raspberry lemon ice cream, creamy dessert, easy ice cream recipe