Strawberry shortcake ice cream is a delightful combo of tangy strawberries, creamy ice cream and shortbread crumbles. This is no doubt the best dessert recipe to satisfy the sweet and chilly cravings on hot summer days. In today’s butterfiesta recipe, we will dive into creamy and chilly flavors of strawberry shortcake ice cream.

What is Strawberry Shortcake?

The strawberry shortcake is a delicious and tempting dessert with a base of shortbread biscuits or sponge cake, topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. The combination of buttery sponge, fresh and tangy strawberries and fluffy cream make it a satisfying dessert.

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Recipe

The yummy strawberry shortcake ice cream is inspired by the classic strawberry shortcake dessert. The transformation of delightful strawberry shortcake into creamy ice cream is a recipe worth trying. You can make this tempting dessert at home with or without an ice cream maker. It is hard to resist the luscious treat of silky ice cream with roasted strawberries and buttery shortcake crumbles.

What You Will Need

To make this creamy and fulfilling ice cream, I need an ice cream base, strawberry sauce, vanilla and strawberry crumble. To prepare all of them following ingredients will kick up the recipe, get your grocery bag and gather all the ingredients listed below.

strawberry shortcake ice cream ingredients

For Strawberry Puree

Strawberries: Use fresh strawberries for a tangy and sweet flavor to the ice cream. Fresh strawberries give a smooth and velvety texture to the strawberry puree as compared to frozen strawberries.

Sugar: Granulated sugar is used to toss the strawberries before roasting. It helps in releasing fruit juices and adds sweetness to the puree.

For Strawberry Crumble

Butter: Butter makes crumble tender and it works as a binding ingredient in making strawberry crumble.

Jello Powder: I am using strawberry flavor jello powder to boost the taste. It adds rich color to the crumbles.

All-Purpose Flour: It helps in achieving crumbly texture.

For Vanilla Crumble

Butter: Butter adds rich flavor the fat in butter acts as a binding agent to form a crumbly texture.

Pudding Mix: I am using vanilla flavor pudding mix to enhance the flavor of the crumble. The cornstarch in the pudding makes the crumble softer.

All-Purpose Flour: It helps in creating a volume in the crumble.

Vanilla Essence: Use a high-quality vanilla essence to enhance the flavor of vanilla crumble.

For Ice Cream Base

Milk: I use whole cream milk to boost the creaminess of ice cream. The liquid content of milk balances the consistency of ice cream as well as provides a smooth and silky texture.

Heavy Cream: I am using heavy cream to stabilize the ice cream mixture, as it whips into soft peaks it becomes light and airy. However, you can use whipping cream as a substitute.

Milk Powder: Use milk powder for making ice cream base, it has proteins and fats that make ice cream creamier and more luxurious.

Sugar: Granulated sugar is the primary sweetener in the ice cream base. It lowers the freezing point of the mixture which prevents ice cream from getting too hard in the freezer, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture.

Egg Yolks: Egg yolks enhance the richness of cream by contributing fat content. It acts as an emulsifier by blending the fat in the cream and the moisture content in cream base to prevent the formation of ice crystals in the ice cream.

Vanilla Essence: It elevates the aroma and flavor of the ice cream base, the natural sweetness of vanilla balances the tart of strawberries in the ice cream.

Step By Step Directions

strawberry shortcake ice cream base preparation

Prepare Ice Cream Base

In a saucepan, pour whole milk, granulated sugar, and milk powder. Stir them over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
Once the sugar and milk powder dissolve, add heavy cream to the saucepan. Cook them until the temperature reaches 43°C.
In a Bowl, whisk egg yolks, then pour half a cup of milk and cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisk it continuously to well combine.
Then pour the egg yolk mixture into the milk and cream mixture while stirring the base mixture continuously.
Cook the mixture until it reaches 73°C.
Turn off the heat and pour vanilla essence into the base mixture and whisk to combine.
Let it cool down, by placing the saucepan in an ice bath.
Then pour it into an airtight container through a strainer.
Cover the top and place it in the refrigerator for later use.

Roast Strawberries to Make Puree

Wash the strawberries and remove the top green part. Then slice them in half.
In a bowl, toss the sliced strawberries and sugar together.
In a baking tray lined with parchment paper, spread the strawberries. Then roast them for 30 minutes or until caramelized.
Reserve the strawberry juice in a saucepan, and heat it over low flame until thickened.
Then in a bowl, add thickened strawberry sauce and roasted strawberries. Blend it well to make a puree using a hand blender.
Let it chill in the refrigerator before adding it to the ice cream base.

strawberry shortcake ice cream roasting strawberries

Prepare Vanilla Crumble

In a bowl, mix butter, all-purpose flour, vanilla essence, and pudding mix to make a crumble.
Spread it on a baking tray lined with butter paper and bake for 10 minutes at 176°C. Give them a mix after 5 minutes to avoid burning.

Prepare Strawberry Crumble

In another bowl, mix strawberry jello powder, all-purpose flour and butter to make a crumble.
Then spread it on a baking tray lined with butter paper and bake for 10 minutes at 176°C. Give them a mix after 5 minutes to avoid burning.

strawberry shortcake ice cream puree blending

Make Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

Take a stand mixer and pour the ice cream base and strawberry puree into its bowl. Whisk them well until soft peaks form.
Then gently fold in half of the prepared vanilla and strawberry crumbles into the ice cream.
Take an airtight container and start layering the ice cream to it.
Place a cling film on the top of the ice cream before closing the container.
Then place it in the freezer overnight. Allow it to set for 5-10 minutes before scooping.
Finally, top it with fresh sliced chunks of strawberries.

Tips That Will Help

Make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature while making the ice cream base.
Don’t crowd the ice cream with crumble, because less the crumble, yummier the ice cream.
Don’t forget to evaporate the liquid from strawberry juice, the liquid in the puree will make it hard to get a smooth and creamy texture of ice cream.
You can use whipped cream, chocolate sauce, sprinkles, and strawberry sauce as an ice cream toppings.
You can serve this delicious ice cream with brownies, serve it as a sundae, or make a creamy ice cream shake.
Leftover ice cream can be stored in freezer in an airtight container.

Recipe Variations

Gluten-Free Strawberry Ice Cream

The recipe can be altered into gluten-free version by simply swapping the all-purpose flour in the crumble for gluten-free flour. Although other ingredients in the above-mentioned recipe are free from gluten, if you have gluten sensitivity then you can swap the ingredients with gluten-free version.

Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

For a vegan dairy-free strawberry shortcake ice cream use plant-based milk and heavy cream. You can use oat milk, soy milk, or almond milk, for heavy cream substitute use a full-fat coconut cream. However, you can skip the eggs in dairy-free recipe and vegan butter can be used to make the shortcake crumble.

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream In Machine

To prepare the ice cream easily you can churn the ice cream base in an ice cream maker. Simply mix the chilled ice cream base and strawberry puree then pour the mixture into the ice cream maker, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to freeze the ice cream. Once it becomes firm, fold in shortcake crumbs and freeze overnight in an ice cream container.

FAQ’s

What to use as a substitute for shortbread crumble?

There are a variety of substitutes for shortbread crumble, you can use crumbs of biscuits, crumbs of sponge cake, and granola toppings as a substitute. For a gluten-free version, you can use, almond flour crumbs, oat crumbs, or coconut crumbs.

Can other fruits be used to make strawberry shortcake ice cream recipe?

Absolutely, You can use blueberries, raspberries, mango, peach, or any other fruit to replicate the recipe. Keep the water content of the fruits in mind and evaporate the moisture with the help of the reduction technique. Adjust the sweetness and texture of ice cream accordingly.

Can I use frozen strawberries for the recipe?

Frozen dried strawberries can be used to make the ice cream, make sure to thaw the strawberries at room temperature. However, to reduce the liquid content in the strawberries, toss them in sugar and let them sit overnight. Then drain the excess juice and thicken it up by heating it over a low flame.

Can I make this recipe without an electric beater?

If you don’t have an electric beater or stand mixer, you can use a hand whisk to combine the ingredients. Make sure to chill the bowl and whisk before whisking the ice cream base, then place it in an ice-filled bowl while whisking.