Cherry Almond Ice Cream

Jul 4, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Extract Medium

Two generous scoops of cherry almond ice cream in a shallow ceramic bowl, softly melting at the edges

A smooth, creamy cherry almond ice cream featuring toasted almonds and tart cherries, enhanced with vanilla and almond extracts for a perfect balance of flavors.

Prep 15 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 2 hr 30 min

Total 3 hr

Servings 8

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

2.0 cups (480.0 ml)heavy cream
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)whole milk
¾ cup (150.0 g)granulated sugar
⅛ tsp (0.75 g)fine sea salt
1.0 tbsp (15.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
½ tsp (2.5 ml)pure almond extract
1.0 cup (150.0 g)fresh or frozen pitted cherries, chopped
½ cup (50.0 g)sliced almonds
1.0 tbsp (14.0 g)unsalted butter

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Instructions

Toast sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
In a medium saucepan, whisk together granulated sugar, fine sea salt, heavy cream, and whole milk. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is hot but not boiling, about 8 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in pure vanilla extract and pure almond extract.
Allow the custard base to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight until thoroughly chilled.
Meanwhile, melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the chopped cherries and sauté gently for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened but not mushy. Remove from heat and cool completely.
Once custard base is chilled, pour it into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency, about 25-30 minutes.
During the last 5 minutes of churning, add the toasted almonds and cooled sautéed cherries gradually, mixing well to distribute evenly.
Transfer the ice cream to a lidded container and freeze for at least 30 minutes to firm up before serving.

Tips

For a stronger almond flavor, increase almond extract by an additional 1/4 tsp, but do so cautiously to avoid overpowering.
Using fresh cherries when in season gives the best flavor; frozen is fine but thaw and drain well to avoid excess moisture.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make cherry almond ice cream?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 2 hours 30 minutes to chill and freeze. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store cherry almond ice cream?

Store ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Let soften at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping.

Can I make cherry almond ice cream ahead?

Prepare custard base and cherries a day ahead; chill custard overnight for smoother texture.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract (15 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

A smooth, creamy cherry almond ice cream featuring toasted almonds and tart cherries, enhanced with vanilla and almond extracts for a perfect balance of flavors.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

360 Calories / serving

27.1g Fat

26.5g Carbs

4.0g Protein

24.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~2880 cal · 217g fat · 212g carbs · 32g protein · 199g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 360 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 68 min·4.0 mi·~7950 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 49 min·2.5 mi·~4900 steps
Moderate cycling 37 min·7.4 mi
Swimming laps 50 min
Jogging 35 min·2.9 mi·~5600 steps
Stair climbing 33 min·~2950 steps
Dancing 59 min
Bodyweight circuit training 37 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 84 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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