Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy homemade ice cream
- Swirls of real blueberry sauce
- Buttery cinnamon crumble pieces
- Perfect summer dessert
- Rich, fruity, and crunchy
- Better than store-bought
- Great for special occasions
Ingredients
For the Blueberry Compote
- 2 cups (300g) fresh or frozen blueberries
- ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For the Crumble
- ¾ cup (95g) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (65g) brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 6 tablespoons (85g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
For the Ice Cream Base
- 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Equipment Needed
- Ice cream maker
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Fine mesh strainer
- Baking sheet
- Whisk
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Blueberry Compote
In a saucepan, combine:
- Blueberries
- Sugar
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest
Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the berries begin to burst.
Mix cornstarch and water together.
Stir into the blueberry mixture.
Cook for another 1-2 minutes until thickened.
Remove from heat and cool completely.
Refrigerate until needed.
Step 2: Prepare the Crumble
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl combine:
- Flour
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Salt
Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingertips until crumbly.
Spread onto a baking sheet.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
Cool completely.
Break into small chunks and refrigerate.
Step 3: Make the Custard Base
In a saucepan combine:
- Heavy cream
- Milk
- Half of the sugar
Heat until steaming but not boiling.
Step 4: Whisk the Egg Yolks
In a separate bowl whisk together:
- Egg yolks
- Remaining sugar
Whisk until pale and smooth.
Step 5: Temper the Eggs
Slowly pour a small amount of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly.
Continue adding more cream gradually.
This prevents the eggs from scrambling.
Step 6: Cook the Custard
Return everything to the saucepan.
Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
Cook until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Do not boil.
Step 7: Strain and Chill
Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl.
Stir in:
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 8: Churn the Ice Cream
Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker.
Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually 20-25 minutes.
The ice cream should resemble soft serve.
Step 9: Layer the Ice Cream
Transfer one-third of the churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container.
Add:
- Spoonfuls of blueberry compote
- Handfuls of crumble
Repeat layers until all ingredients are used.
Use a knife to gently swirl.
Do not overmix.
Step 10: Freeze
Cover tightly.
Freeze for at least 2-4 hours until firm.
Step 11: Serve
Allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping.
Serve with extra crumble and fresh blueberries.
No-Ice-Cream-Maker Version
- Prepare the blueberry compote and crumble.
- Whip 2 cups heavy cream to stiff peaks.
- Fold into 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk.
- Layer with blueberry compote and crumble.
- Freeze for 6 hours.
Chef’s Tips
Use Fresh Summer Blueberries
Peak-season berries provide the sweetest flavor and best color.
Chill Everything Thoroughly
Cold ingredients churn faster and create smoother ice cream.
Don’t Over-Swirl
Too much mixing will muddy the blueberry ribbons.
Freeze the Crumble
Cold crumble stays crunchier inside the ice cream.
Make Ahead
The compote and crumble can be prepared several days in advance.
Variations
Mixed Berry Crumble Ice Cream
Replace half the blueberries with raspberries and blackberries.
Lemon Blueberry Crumble Ice Cream
Add extra lemon zest to the ice cream base.
Blueberry Cheesecake Crumble Ice Cream
Swirl softened cream cheese into the churned ice cream.
Oat Crumble Version
Replace ¼ cup flour with rolled oats for a classic crumble texture.
Storage
Freezer
Store tightly covered for up to 2 weeks.
For best texture, place parchment paper directly on the surface before sealing.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fat: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 27g
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Fresh blueberries
- Lemon zest
- Warm blueberry pie
- Shortbread cookies
- Whipped cream
- Waffle cones
Recipe Notes
Blueberry Crumble Ice Cream transforms a beloved fruit dessert into a creamy frozen treat. With luscious blueberry swirls, crunchy cinnamon crumble, and a rich vanilla ice cream base, every scoop captures the flavors of homemade blueberry crumble in the most refreshing way possible. It’s a perfect summer dessert that’s sure to impress family and friends
