Grapefruit curd ice cream is smooth and rich with a lovely custard consistency. The grapefruit adds a perfect flavor balance of sweet, tart, and bitter, making this an absolutely amazing dessert!
This might just be my new favorite ice cream. I really love any type of curd- lemon, passionfruit, blood orange… you name it and you’ll probably find it on this site somewhere. Just after school when I was working my brief stint as a pastry chef, we made lemon curd ice cream one night. It was as decadent as it sounds- rich and tangy with that custard flavor you only get from a curd. Much better than a regular lemon ice cream. I’ve been wanting to make it again ever since. What I particularly love about this version is that the grapefruit offers a slight bitterness in the background; not something you often taste in ice cream or even a regular curd. But it works really well here and balances the sweetness.
Don’t use a processed store-bought grapefruit juice to make this. It won’t taste right. The only exception can be found in some higher end grocers like Whole Foods. If the container says something like “100% fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice” you’re probably ok. Double check the ingredient list to make sure there are no additives or anything from concentrate. Trust me, I learned this lesson the hard way. The safest bet will always be juicing the grapefruit yourself.
Grapefruit Curd Ice Cream
Ingredients
Grapefruit curd:
- 2 large eggs
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 1/4 cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
- 4 ounces unsalted butter, cubed and at room temperature
- optional: 1 drop each of pink and red food coloring
Curd ice cream:
- 1 1/2 cup grapefruit curd, chilled
- 1 1/3 cup half & half or 50% heavy cream + 50% whole milk, chilled
- 5 tablespoons confectioners sugar
Instructions
To make the curd:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk eggs, egg yolks and sugar together until smooth. Whisk the corn starch together with a bit of the grapefruit juice to create a slurry.
- Whisk the grapefruit juice and slurry into the egg mixture.
- Add the food coloring if using.
- Continue to whisk over medium heat until thick, 10-15 minutes. It should be the consistency of pudding. Make sure the whisk hits the bottom of the pot to keep the bottom from burning. This is less likely to happen if you use a heavy bottom saucepan.
- Remove from the heat and slowly whisk in pieces of the butter.
- Move the curd to a bowl and allow to chill in the refrigerator. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Store extra curd in the refrigerator with plastic wrap pushed directly against the curd to prevent a skin from forming.
To make the ice cream:
- Whisk the curd and half and half together until well combined.
- Sift in one tablespoon of confectioners sugar at a time while whisking.
- Prepare according to your ice cream maker manufacturer's instructions.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Cassie says
This is gorgeous, I love that bright color!
Lauren @ Gourmet Veggie Mama says
Wow, this looks amazing! I am really drooling, however, over the possibility of a blood orange curd ice cream.
Stephanie @ 52 Kitchen Adventures says
Gorgeous photo! Ice cream is SO hard to photograph and you nailed it! I love anything curd too and I can totally imagine it making ice cream that much better. I can’t wait to try this next time I make curd!
Rowena (Apron and Sneakers) says
What a very interesting ice cream flavor and I love the color too! I just wish I can try it. Thanks for sharing!
sweetlab says
AMAZING! I really can’t wait to try this. I need an ice cream maker asap!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
I´m dying to try this ice cream. It looks phenomenal and grapefruit (and tangerine) are my absolute favorite flavors. Gorgeous!
ATasteOfMadness says
I am so jealous of this ice cream right now! I have just ordered an ice cream maker, and am eagerly awaiting it!
Mary Ellen @ Pâte à Chew says
WOW, this looks great. i love grapefruit and never thought to make grapefruit curd. I gotta get my hands on an ice cream machine!
Anna @ hiddenponies says
I adore grapefruit, and I love the look of this ice cream! I’ve never thought to make grapefruit curd, brilliant!
Debra says
Well, this one has a bit of a learning curve to it for me. I’m not at all familiar with curd! But I love the way you describe it. I’ll spend some time with the google boys and see what I can learn. I’m not afraid of a little research–especially if it leads me to a new ice cream flavor! It really does sound wonderful! Debra
Sawsan (Chef in disguise) says
Wow, curd icecream sounds amazing! and I totally agree on using juice that you juiced yourself,some store bought stuff has nothing to do with fruit
amy @ fearless homemaker says
i love grapefruit + this sounds delightful! so refreshing. and your pics are always so gorgeous!
Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious says
What a gorgeous ice-cream!
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
Holy cow, this sounds delicious!! I just love grapefruit. I need to try this!
Mad Dog says
Intriguingly weird – I’d like to try that ;-)