Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so we are already thinking about how to celebrate. Heart-shaped chocolates are a popular choice this time of year, but having something that is a bit creamier yet still screams sweet love for the entire family to enjoy is what we have in mind. We are talking about homemade ice cream!
To celebrate the colors and flavors of Valentine’s Day, we created an easy-to-make chocolate covered strawberry ice cream. If you don’t own an ice cream maker not to worry because our homemade ice cream can be made no-churn with a stand or hand mixer or churned with an ice cream maker. Both recipes are simple to make and result in a very similar creamy, refreshing texture.
Serve this delectable dessert after dinner with your favorite date or at the end of a family Valentine’s Day meal. One of the best things about this recipe is that you can even make it with the kids as a fun Valentine’s Day activity with a sweet ending!
Listed below are the ingredients you need, and the recipes based on which preparation method you prefer! To help you prepare, we have also created this printable grocery guide!
EQUIPMENT
- Stand or hand mixer (for no-churn ice cream recipe)
- Ice cream maker (for churned ice cream recipe)
- Freezer safe air-tight storage container or ice cream tub
- Bowls to serve the ice cream
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk (no-churned ice cream only)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup 2% milk (churned ice cream only)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Festive sprinkles or topping(s) of choice
DIRECTIONS: NO-CHURN CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM
- Rinse strawberries with cool water, cut off the stems and then process them in a food processor to finely chop. For larger strawberry chunks, hand slice the strawberries, or pulse for 5 seconds in a food processor. If you want the strawberry flavor without any chucks or pieces, puree to a liquid consistency in a food processor. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the condensed milk, sugar and salt until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the heavy cream, vanilla and strawberries. Whip to a hard-peak consistency.
- Stir in the mini chocolate chips once it reaches a hard-peak consistency.
- Transfer the ice cream into a freezer-safe air-tight container, ice cream tub or pan. Spread to distribute the ice cream evenly in the container.
- Freeze the ice cream for at least 2 hours before serving. For a harder consistency, allow to set overnight.
DIRECTIONS: CHURNED CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM
- Rinse strawberries with cool water, cut off the stems and then process them in a food processor to finely chop. For larger strawberry chunks, hand slice the strawberries, or pulse for 5 seconds in a food processor. If you want the strawberry flavor without any chucks or pieces, puree to a liquid consistency in a food processor. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the milk, sugar and salt until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla. Stir in the strawberries. Cover and transfer to the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Turn on ice cream maker, then pour the prepared mixture into the frozen bowl to churn. After 10 minutes, slowly add the mini chocolate chips, allowing them to get evenly distributed throughout the ice cream. Continue churning for another 5-10 minutes. The ice cream should have a soft, creamy texture.
- Pour ice cream into a freezer-safe air-tight container, ice cream tub or pan. Spread to distribute ice cream evenly in the container.
- Transfer to the freezer. Allow to freeze for at least 2 hours before eating. For a harder consistency, allow to set overnight.
Once ready to serve, top off the ice cream with sprinkles, chocolate chips, strawberries or whatever toppings your heart desires to intensify the flavor! On our shopping guide, we have even listed out some different topping options.
Both preparation methods make 5 cups of chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream. You can get creative by adding additional toppings like flavored syrups, sprinkles, whipped cream, nuts, seeds or other family favorites.
This sweet, fruity ice cream is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day or any day.