Smooth Dandelion & Honey Ice Cream Recipe

Silky Dandelion & Honey Ice Cream Recipe: Homemade Sweetness

Summer’s golden afternoons call for something magical—a dandelion and honey ice cream that whispers sweet botanical secrets.

Wild dandelion flowers dance through this creamy dessert, creating an unexpected twist on traditional frozen treats.

Foragers and dessert enthusiasts will adore this unique recipe that captures nature’s delicate essence.

Each spoonful carries hints of meadow-fresh sweetness and subtle floral notes.

The golden honey weaves through delicate dandelion petals, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Soft, smooth, and subtly wild, this ice cream invites you to savor summer’s most enchanting flavor.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that turns humble garden flowers into a gourmet delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Dandelion & Honey Ice Cream: Ingredient Checklist

For Dairy Base:
  • Cream, Milk: Creamy foundation that carries the delicate dandelion flavor, choose high-fat content for richer texture.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Dandelion Petals: Wild, sun-kissed ingredient that adds subtle herbal notes, collect from pesticide-free areas for pure taste.
  • Honey: Natural sweetener bringing floral complexity, select local raw honey for deeper, more nuanced flavor profile.
  • Vanilla: Aromatic complement that softens herbal tones, opt for pure extract rather than artificial versions.
For Binding & Texture:
  • Egg Yolks: Crucial for creating smooth, custard-like consistency, use fresh, room-temperature eggs for best results.
  • Salt: Tiny pinch that elevates and balances all other flavors, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

What Tools Help Freeze Dandelion & Honey Ice Cream Just Right

  • Saucepan: Medium-sized pan for heating and infusing cream.
  • Whisk: Essential for mixing egg yolks and honey smoothly.
  • Mixing bowl: Needed for whisking and tempering ingredients.
  • Fine-mesh strainer: Critical for removing dandelion petals from cream.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Used for stirring custard while cooking.
  • Instant-read thermometer: Helps monitor custard temperature precisely.
  • Ice cream maker: Required for churning the custard into ice cream.
  • Freezer-safe container: Stores and freezes the finished ice cream.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.

Make Dandelion & Honey Ice Cream Smooth and Light

  • Gather Dandelion Petals Collect fresh, vibrant yellow dandelion petals from chemical-free gardens or meadows, carefully removing green parts.
  • Create Creamy Base Combine cream and milk in a saucepan, gently warming with dandelion petals until fragrant and slightly steamy.
  • Steep and Strain Let the mixture rest, allowing dandelion essence to infuse, then carefully strain out the delicate petals, reserving the aromatic liquid.
  • Blend Golden Mixture Whisk egg yolks with golden honey until silky smooth, gradually introducing warm cream while stirring constantly.
  • Cook Custard Carefully heat the mixture over low flame, stirring continuously until it transforms into a rich, velvety custard that elegantly coats the back of a spoon.
  • Chill and Rest Incorporate vanilla and a whisper of salt, then refrigerate the custard until completely cool and thoroughly chilled.
  • Churn to Perfection Pour the cold custard into an ice cream maker, transforming it into a dreamy, creamy delight with a gentle churning process.
  • Freeze and Savor Transfer the soft ice cream to a container, freeze until firm, then scoop and indulge in this unique, floral-infused treat.

Boost Your Ice Cream with These Additions

  • Use local, raw honey for deeper, more complex flavor profiles that highlight the delicate floral notes of the dandelion petals.
  • Swap dairy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a vegan-friendly version that maintains the creamy texture and floral essence.
  • For an extra silky finish, add a tablespoon of vodka or corn syrup while churning to prevent ice crystals and keep the ice cream smoother.
  • Top each serving with candied dandelion petals, a drizzle of honey, or edible flower sprinkles for a beautiful and delicious presentation.

Ways to Serve Dandelion & Honey Ice Cream in Style

  • Garden Party Delight: Serve this elegant ice cream at an outdoor gathering with friends, paired with fresh flower-garnished sugar cookies.
  • Herbal Dessert Pairing: Complement the delicate flavor with chamomile tea or a light lavender shortbread, highlighting the dandelion's subtle botanical notes.
  • Rustic Presentation Idea: Scoop into vintage glass dishes, sprinkle with edible flower petals, and drizzle a thin line of local honey for a stunning visual and flavor accent.
  • Summer Brunch Treat: Offer as a refreshing dessert alongside lemon pound cake or as a unique palate cleanser between breakfast courses, celebrating seasonal garden flavors.

Storing Homemade Dandelion Ice Cream Without Ice Burn

  • Store ice cream in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and maintain its creamy texture.
  • Place plastic wrap directly on the ice cream surface before closing the container to minimize ice crystal formation and protect original taste.
  • Keep ice cream at a consistent 0°F (-18°C) to maintain its smooth consistency and prevent rapid melting or texture degradation.
  • Enjoy this homemade dandelion and honey ice cream within 2 weeks for the best flavor profile and optimal freshness, noting that quality gradually declines over time.
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Smooth Dandelion & Honey Ice Cream Recipe

Smooth Dandelion & Honey Ice Cream Recipe


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4.7 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Smooth dandelion & honey ice cream whispers sweet wilderness secrets from meadow to spoon. Delicate floral notes dance with golden honey, inviting you to savor nature’s wild dessert charm.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) whole milk
  • ½ cup (170 g) raw honey
  • 1 cup (50 g) packed dandelion petals (yellow parts only, green sepals removed)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Petal Infusion: Gently heat cream, milk, and dandelion petals in a saucepan over medium-low temperature until warm. Remove from heat, cover, and allow the mixture to steep for 20-30 minutes, releasing the delicate floral essence.
  2. Strain and Reheat: Carefully strain out the petals, returning the infused cream to the saucepan. Warm the liquid until it reaches a light steaming point, creating a rich, aromatic base.
  3. Custard Preparation: Whisk egg yolks and honey in a bowl until silky smooth. Gradually introduce warm cream to the mixture, tempering the eggs while whisking continuously to prevent curdling.
  4. Custard Transformation: Return the tempered mixture to the saucepan, cooking over low heat. Stir constantly until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon, reaching an internal temperature of 170-175°F. Maintain a gentle heat to avoid boiling.
  5. Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat and incorporate vanilla and a pinch of salt. Thoroughly chill the custard in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight to develop deep, complex flavors.
  6. Churning Process: Pour the completely chilled custard into an ice cream maker. Churn according to manufacturer’s guidelines, typically 20-25 minutes, until the mixture reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
  7. Freezing and Serving: Transfer the churned ice cream to a container and freeze for 24 hours to achieve the perfect firm texture. Scoop and savor the delicate, floral-infused dessert.

Notes

  • Choose bright yellow, pesticide-free dandelion flowers from clean areas away from road pollution or chemical treatments.
  • Temper egg yolks gradually with warm cream and maintain low heat to prevent scrambling or separating the custard mixture.
  • Steep dandelion petals between 20-30 minutes to extract delicate floral essence without creating bitter undertones.
  • Watch custard closely during cooking, stirring continuously until it reaches 170-175°F and coats the back of a spoon smoothly without boiling.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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