This crème fraîche ice cream is is bursting with sweet flavor from roasted blueberries, as well as a unique tartness and extra creamy texture. The beautiful hue makes it an absolute show stopper.
When I was younger, I loved going on road trips and traveling around the country. During the college semester I would study hard and work for my grades. But when winter and summer break arrived, I was off to parts unknown.
In the summer of ’97 I drove all the way around the country with friends. Rarely did I feel worn out during that trip. I had boundless energy and seemed to thrive on little sleep.
My back never got sore from hours upon hours in the car. My fear of bridges and heights had not fully formed because I can remember driving up the entire California coastal highway with a cliff on my left side and not a care in the universe.
I still love traveling more than almost anything else aside from cooking and photography but every year I feel like I’m slowing down more. There’s no getting around it; traveling is becoming more difficult.
These days my love affair with traveling mostly involves visiting other countries and seeing the world. I want to see it all before I die. But anytime I take a trip, even within the boundaries of my own country, my wanderlust is mixed with stress.
Plane rides hurt my back. Turbulence kicks in my anxiety. Jet lag wears me out for days.
In fact, the traveling portion of my travel exhausts me to the point where I’m not as excited as I’d like to be when I arrive at my final destination. I mean, seriously? I’m only 35.
It shouldn’t be so difficult. And it kind of pisses me off.
I want to have the stamina and body of my 20-year-old self. I want to hop off the red eye flight and be immediately ready for adventure. But that’s probably never going to happen again.
I just have to remain optimistic that none of this will sway my desire to see the world. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be around for awhile and it’s too soon to be giving up on one of my greatest passions.
Roasted Blueberry Crème Fraîche Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 18 ounces fresh blueberries
- 6 large egg yolks
- 5 ounces granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8 ounces crème fraîche (sour cream may be substituted)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Rinse off the blueberries and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Roast the berries for 12 minutes, giving the pan a shake every 4 minutes for even cooking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Puree in a blender until smooth and set aside.
- In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together the egg yolks and sugar.
- Add the milk and vanilla to a saucepan on medium heat. Whisk in the crème fraîche until smooth. When the mixture is just starting to simmer (don't boil it), slowly ladle approximately half of the liquid into the yolks while whisking.
- Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and turn the heat down to medium-low. Stir in a figure 8 motion with a heat-resistant spatula for several minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in roasted blueberry puree and remove from the heat. Allow to cool for several minutes, stirring periodically. Cover with plastic wrap that’s pressed directly against the liquid to prevent a skin from forming. Chill until very cold, preferably overnight.
- Prepare ice cream according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
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Ashley says
These photos just killed me. Absolutely stunning!!! Also love the simplicity of this recipe!
Rachel says
Extra-long road trips are my favorite way to travel…I love driving down the highway, windows down & the radio cranked. I discovered last summer that I also really enjoy train travel. I have so many places I want to see before I die…I just need the time and the money! Some of that ice cream wouldn’t hurt either. :)
Baby June says
Wow that looks amazing! So many flavors to love. Roasting blueberries sounds amazing, I’ll have to try this ASAP. :)
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Such gorgeous ice cream, the color is stunning!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Absolutely magnificent.
Matt Robinson says
Easily the most gorgeous ice cream I have ever seen. Those pictures!! To this day, nothing is better to me than hitting the open road, but it aches a little more each time for me too, and now kids are in tow, so it’s just different.
Christina @ Every Little Thing She Does says
This ice cream looks gorgeous! Love the color!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Ha … totally get you. I was always full of enthusiasm for travelling, and not only that but living here and living there. But now I just want to settle, but there is no chance of that as I’ve just married an Aussie and we have to keep flying half way across the world. I still love the travelling, but I love having a permanent base and feeling secure and settled even more. :-)
Delicious (not to mention stunning) -looking ice cream!
Julia @Vikalinka says
I am not just saying this to leave a comment… :-) I am definitely making this as soon as I am back from my trip! Incredible colour and I LOVE that you added creme fraiche to it! As far as travel goes, I am with you. Aching back and uncomfortable airplane seats won’t stop me. Whenever I travel in Europe I choose train over plane any time I can, so much more enjoyable. Have you left for Europe yet?
Jennifer Farley says
Not until the end of July! I will admit I’m nervous about the red eye there since there is so much I want to see and do during our visit.
Julia @Vikalinka says
I have absolutely no solution for tiredness however, you can dull your pain by extremely delicious food, wine and breathtaking views. :-)
Sharon says
Any chance this would work with frozen blueberries?
Jennifer Farley says
I’m sure it will work just fine but if fresh are available where you live I would definitely use them instead!
Carolyn says
Darling Jennifer. I love this recipe. You are brilliant. I want to be you. :) So making this!!!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
gorgeous gorgeous ice cream. . but I would expect nothing less from you! And re: traveling, I hear you girl .. for me, it’s the fact that we’re at the mercy of the weather and pilot, airlines etc (like we experienced in Miami) but yeah, I used to take red eyes with no problem but now I opt to travel with a schedule that is easiest for me. I don’t mind hopping on planes and love to travel. . my problem is that is takes me like 4 weeks to fully unpack and put my suitcase away! :P so good seeing you again!
Kitchen Belleicious says
raise your hand if this is the best ice cream recipe EVER! ME! I am raising my hand. WOW!
molly yeh says
this ice cream is gorgeous. i have never had a roasted blueberry!!
and your words on traveling resonated so much with me. i used to be so excited to get on planes, to pack, to just get up and leave. but now…. i’m leaving tonight for a trip and i am dreading packing! i know it will be good to see my family and friends and what not, but for the first time i think i’d rather them all come here to visit me so i wouldn’t have to leave!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
OMG roasted berries and creme fraishe- AMAZING! What a combo! I need to get on my ice cream making STAT!