Description
Indulge in the delicate and creamy Rose Pistachio Cheesecake Ice Cream, a luxurious homemade treat blending the tangy richness of cream cheese with aromatic rose water and crunchy roasted pistachios. This Middle Eastern-inspired dessert offers a unique floral twist perfect for warm days or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon rose water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup chopped roasted pistachios
Optional Ingredients
- 1/4 cup crushed graham crackers
- A few drops of pink food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps for a silky texture.
- Mix Dairy and Sugar: Gradually whisk in the whole milk, heavy cream, and granulated sugar until fully combined and the sugar is completely dissolved, creating a sweet, smooth base.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the rose water, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt, mixing thoroughly to blend the floral and citrus notes evenly throughout the mixture.
- Add Color (Optional): If desired, add a few drops of pink food coloring to achieve a soft rose hue, gently mixing until the color is uniform.
- Chill Mixture: Cover and chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to develop flavor and ensure it is cold enough for churning.
- Churn Ice Cream: Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually about 20–25 minutes, until it thickens to a soft-serve consistency.
- Incorporate Mix-Ins: In the last few minutes of churning, fold in the chopped roasted pistachios and crushed graham crackers if using, distributing them evenly without overmixing.
- Freeze to Set: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours until firm enough to scoop.
Notes
- Adjust the rose water quantity to taste, starting with 1/2 tablespoon for a milder floral flavor if preferred.
- For a no-churn version, fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture and freeze in a loaf pan instead of using an ice cream maker.
- Graham crackers add a cheesecake crust flavor and crunch but can be omitted for a smoother texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 2 hours chilling and 4 hours freezing)
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churned
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
