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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Heidi @foodiecrush says
I always have the urge to cancel a trip right before I have to go. The apprehension and realization that my to-do list won’t be tackled puts the new adventure in the back seat. But then I’m always SO happy I wasn’t lame and back out. But I get what you mean. Give yourself 10 years and see what its like then!
Another stellar ice cream recipe.
Jennifer Farley says
I’m certainly glad neither of us backed out this weekend because it was so great spending time with you again :) And I am totally addicted to making ice cream. Can’t stop.
Julie says
I’m with you – I love traveling (though I can’t afford to do it as much as I’d like), but my motion sickness often gets the better of me, both when I’m flying and road tripping!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
This looks so good! Can’t wait to try it. I made a sour cream ice cream last year that I loved. So I bet I would love creme fraiche in ice cream!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
Your road trips make me want to get into the car and forget the airplane altogether! This ice cream is beautiful!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous.
dina says
this looks delicious!
Caroline says
You’re killing me with this gorgeous ice cream. Roasting the blueberries is just genius. I need a scoop about now. Oh, and I feel your pain…getting old sucks.
tricia says
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try!!! Does it have to be specifically clamshell blueberries? Or can I use any kind of blueberries?
Jennifer Farley says
Hi Tricia. Maybe I should change the wording to just 18 ounces of blueberries. A clamshell refers to the container you purchase berries in.
Laura Dembowski says
Travelling stresses me out to the point where I won’t do it. I have great anxiety about it and have always gotten tired easily. It sounds nice to go on a trip and then I start thinking about flying and hotels and doing something every moment of every day. Yes it pisses me off I’ve made life so difficult in this regard but what am I gonna do? Make this ice cream perhaps.
shashi @ runninsrilankan says
Wow – good golly – I could eat a pint of this even though am lactose intolerant! This looks incredible!!!
Cindy says
I’m going to try this with New England Blueberries, unfortunately picking season is about 2 months away.
Kate @ Diethood says
YES! Traveling was SO much more enjoyable back in the day! Jet lag just kills it for me. I need days to catch up.
Now, about this delicious, gorgeous ice cream staring at me… WOWZA!!
Debra says
The color! Oh the color! This is just gorgeous. And I can believe it is incredibly tasty! :-) Who wouldn’t love this!
Carla | Carla's Confections says
Seriously so stunning!
Mary Frances says
I think I need to start satisfying my wonderlust now, when I have the energy. Funds can always be acquired later :) But really, our mind sometimes gets ahead of our body and its frustrating. I’m so glad you continue to travel though, its so fun to hear about.
Simply gorgeous ice cream recipe. You never cease to amaze me with your incredible photography.