Homemade Apricot and Thyme Ice Cream Recipe

Last Updated on August 30, 2024 by Cherie

Enjoy the taste of summer with our Homemade Apricot and Thyme Ice Cream recipe—a fragrant treat you can whip up at home.

When it comes to ice cream, we often find comfort in classic flavours like chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry. But what if we told you there’s an unexpected flavour combination that is sure to raise an eyebrow or two, whilst delighting your palate?

Homemade Apricot and Thyme Ice Cream is a unique combination that blends the sweet, essence of apricots with the earthy, aromatic notes of thyme. This unlikely pairing just might become your new summertime favourite! It’s really quite unique, though, perhaps one for more refined palates.

In our article, we’ll discuss this curious and unique flavour fusion, we’ll provide you with details of the health benefits of both apricots and thyme and of course, we’ll show you how you too can create this unique fusion yourself.

If you want, you can scroll down the page to the recipe and step-by-step instructions we’ve shared, or you can read along with us and learn more about this unique fusion.
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The Flavour Fusion of Apricots and Thyme

We love to fuse unusual and unexpected flavours in our ice creams. Sometimes it doesn’t quite work, but often times it really does. This flavour fusion was one of those hmm, not bad moments! We’re always contemplating textural impacts as well as flavour. Trying out different ingredients and experimenting to see how certain ones fuse with others.

Apricots, known for their natural sweetness, provide a base of sweetness which when paired with the fragrant aroma of thyme, creates a surprising blend of flavours.

Apricots: Flavourful Gems with a Nutrient Punch

Flavour Profile:

Apricots, with their golden-orange skin and sweet, slightly tart flesh, offer a blend of honey-like sweetness and a touch of tanginess. Their natural sweetness works well in both sweet and savoury dishes, making them a great addition to many meals including homemade ice cream.

Health Benefits of Apricots

Beyond their delicate sweet taste, apricots offer a myriad of health benefits.

These little fruits are packed with essential nutrients, including vitamins A and C, potassium, and dietary fibre.

Vitamin A supports healthy vision and skin, while vitamin C boosts your immune system and promotes collagen production for youthful skin.

Potassium helps regulate blood pressure and heart health, making apricots a heart-healthy snack choice.

Additionally, apricots dietary fibre aids digestion and keeps you feeling full and satisfied.

Apricots are also a rich source of antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Thyme: The Herbaceous Elegance Enhancing Your Ice Cream

Flavour Profile: Thyme, a fragrant herb often associated with savoury dishes, brings an unexpected and curious twist to your homemade apricot ice cream.

Its flavour profile is a harmonious blend of earthiness, herbaceousness, and a hint of citrus.

The subtle, piney undertones of thyme mingle gracefully with the sweet apricots, creating a symphony of flavours that elevates your ice cream to a level of culinary sophistication.

This seemingly unconventional pairing is a testament to the versatility of thyme, proving that it can lend its unique charm to both savoury and sweet creations.

Health Benefits of Thyme

Beyond its culinary appeal, thyme boasts an impressive array of health benefits.

This herb is a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, and iron. Thyme’s high antioxidant content helps protect your cells from oxidative stress, promoting overall well-being.

Thyme also contains compounds like thymol, which have been associated with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, aiding in immune system support and maintaining good health.

In addition to its potential health benefits, thyme’s herbaceous aroma and flavour make it a must-try ingredient in your homemade apricot ice cream.

With the knowledge and understanding of these two ingredients, you’ll now see that apricot and thyme ice cream isn’t only a treat for your tastebuds, but also a healthy choice.

Let’s see how we can bring these two ingredients together in a delicious Homemade Ice Cream.

Homemade Apricot and Thyme Ice Cream Recipe

Here’s our recipe and method:

Ingredients:

• 450g fresh apricots, pitted and chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 150g caster sugar
• 475ml double cream
• 240ml whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 large egg yolks
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

• Prepare the Apricots and Thyme:
  • Wash and pit the fresh apricots, then chop them into small pieces.
  • In a small saucepan, combine the chopped apricots, fresh thyme leaves, and 50g of caster sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apricots soften and release their juices. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
• Make the Base:
  • In a separate saucepan, combine the double cream and whole milk. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a simmer. Once it simmers, remove it from the heat and set it aside.
• Whisk the Egg Yolks:
  • In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining 100g of caster sugar until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thick.
• Temper the Eggs:
  • Slowly pour a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks while continuously whisking. This is to temper the eggs and prevent them from curdling. Gradually add more hot milk, whisking constantly until well combined.
• Combine and Cook:
  • Pour the egg and milk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk and cream. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Do not let it boil.
• Blend and Chill:
  • Strain the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any curdled bits and the thyme leaves. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  • Add the cooled apricot and thyme mixture to the custard base and blend them together until smooth.
  • Cover the mixture and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or overnight to chill thoroughly.
• Churn the Ice Cream:
  • Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It typically takes about 20-30 minutes to achieve a soft-serve consistency.
    • NB: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up ice crystals, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – How To Make Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.
• Freeze:
  • Transfer the churned ice cream into an airtight container and freeze it for at least 4 hours or until it becomes firm.
• Serve and Enjoy:
  • Scoop your Homemade Apricot and Thyme Ice Cream into bowls or cones, and garnish with fresh thyme leaves or additional chopped apricots if desired.

Now, you can enjoy the unique flavours of your Homemade Apricot and Thyme Ice Cream.

The recipe above uses an egg custard base. The egg-based version gives ice cream a creamier texture, but you can of course try the no-egg version, detailed below:

Homemade Apricot and Thyme Ice Cream – Eggless Version

Ingredients (No-Egg Version):

• 450g fresh apricots, pitted and chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 150g caster sugar
• 475ml double cream
• 240ml whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions (No-Egg Version):

• Prepare the Apricots and Thyme: Same as in the previous recipe, wash and pit the fresh apricots, then chop them into small pieces. In a small saucepan, combine the chopped apricots, fresh thyme leaves, and 50g of caster sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apricots soften and release their juices. Remove from heat and let it cool.
• Make the Base: Similar to the previous recipe, combine the double cream, whole milk, vanilla extract, and the remaining 100g of caster sugar in a saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a simmer. Once it simmers, remove it from the heat and set it aside.
• Blend and Chill: Strain the milk and cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the thyme leaves. Mix in the vanilla extract. Add the cooled apricot and thyme mixture to the cream base and blend them together until smooth. Cover the mixture and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or overnight to chill thoroughly.
• Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It typically takes about 20-30 minutes to achieve a soft-serve consistency.
  1. As above, you can still make this ice cream without an ice cream maker. See our article – How to Make Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker – for more information.
• Freeze: Transfer the churned ice cream into an airtight container and freeze it for at least 4 hours or until it becomes firm.
• Serve and Enjoy: Scoop your homemade Apricot and Thyme Ice Cream into bowls or cones, and garnish with fresh thyme leaves or additional chopped apricots if desired.

With these modifications, you can enjoy a no-egg version of our delicious Homemade Apricot and Thyme Ice Cream. Enjoy your homemade treat!

Rosemary or Thyme: A Herbal Dilema for Your Homemade Apricot Ice Cream

As you enjoy your Homemade Apricot and Thyme Ice Cream, remember, you can get creative with different herbs.

If you’ve no time for thyme, try using rosemary instead for a unique twist.

Both herbs add curious and unique flavours to your ice cream, so don’t be afraid to experiment and discover new taste combinations!

Roasted Apricots: Enhancing their Natural Sweet Flavour

When it comes to crafting the perfect Homemade Apricot and Thyme (or Rosemary) Ice Cream, there’s an additional technique that can enhance the flavour profile even more: roasting the apricots.

The roasting process caramelises the sugars in the apricots, intensifying their natural sweetness and adding additional depth to their taste. However, it should be noted that while roasting enhances the flavour, some of the apricot’s nutrients may be sacrificed in the process.

The choice between raw and roasted apricots becomes a delicate balance between conserving the fruit’s wholesome goodness and indulging in the enhanced taste of your ice cream creation.

Whether you choose Thyme or Rosemary, either one of these incredible herbs will deliver an exceptional flavour combination that will have you reaching for scoop after scoop.

We hope you have enjoyed reading our article – A Homemade Apricot and Thyme Ice Cream Recipe – if you have any questions, please do drop us a comment below. We would love to hear from you if you give our recipe a go and hear how you get on.

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