A Homemade Sweet Corn Ice Cream Recipe

Experience the delicious taste of our homemade sweet corn ice cream, a uniquely curious flavour combination

Sweet Corn Ice Cream… Really? Yes Really. It’s all in the name – SWEET corn.

Sweet corn, as the name suggests, is naturally sweet. Its sugars add delicious and healthy sweetness to any treat, making it easy to incorporate into ice cream and a joy to savour.

While corn on the cob is a familiar summer treat in savoury dishes, there’s a lesser-known sweet treat that elevates this humble grain into a delicious frozen treat: Homemade Sweet Corn Ice Cream!

Discover the unique taste, simple preparation, and perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess in this summer treat.

In this article, we’ll discuss the unique flavours of sweetcorn ice cream, a little history about sweet corn and provide information about the health benefits of sweet corn. Of course, we will also show you how you too can make your own Homemade Sweet Corn Ice Cream.

If you’d prefer to jump straight to the recipe and step-by-step instructions, you can scroll down to the bottom of this article. otherwise, join us and find out more about this humble grain.
Jump to Homemade Sweet Corn Ice Cream Recipe

Join us to discover the corny goodness that will cool you down and sweeten your days.

The Essence of Sweet Corn Ice Cream

Sweet corn ice cream is a testament to corn’s versatility. It offers a comforting yet sophisticated flavour.

From fresh corn to creative recipes, this frozen treat embodies the essence of summer.

As we discover homemade sweet corn ice cream, we’ll show how it gets its creamy texture and special taste.

A Sweet Journey Through Time: The History of Sweet Corn

The sweet corn story is one of ancient farming and innovation. Native to the Americas, sweet corn has a history spanning thousands of years. Indigenous peoples in present-day Mexico were the first to cultivate it. Over time, it became a staple crop for many Native American tribes.

The transformation of wild grass into the sweet corn we love today reflects the cleverness of ancient farmers.

The Health Benefits of Sweet Corn

Sweet corn, with its naturally sweet taste and sunny yellow kernels, is not only delicious to eat but also offers essential nutrients.

Loaded with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre, sweet corn provides multiple health advantages. Its antioxidants can enhance your immune system and guard against chronic illnesses. Moreover, sweet corn boosts energy, aids digestion, and supports heart health. Even in ice cream, sweet corn can be a tasty way to nourish your body.

Here are further details on the health benefits of sweet corn:

Rich in Nutrients: Sweet corn is a good source of essential nutrients like vitamins (particularly B vitamins like thiamine, niacin, and folate), and minerals (such as potassium and magnesium).
Dietary Fibre: Sweet corn contains dietary fibre, which aids digestion, helps maintain a healthy weight, and supports heart health.
Antioxidants: Sweet corn is packed with antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which are beneficial for eye health and may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Energy Boost: Sweet corn provides a quick source of energy due to its carbohydrate content, making it an ideal choice for active individuals.
Low in Fat: Sweet corn is naturally low in fat, making it a healthy option for those looking to manage their fat intake.
Supports Heart Health: The fibre, folate, and potassium in sweet corn can contribute to heart health by helping to lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood pressure.
Digestive Health: The fibre in sweet corn aids in regular bowel movements and may reduce the risk of constipation.
Weight Management: Sweet corn’s fibre content helps create a feeling of fullness, potentially reducing overall calorie intake and supporting weight management.
Immune System Support: Sweet corn contains vitamin C, which plays a role in boosting the immune system and protecting against illnesses.
Good for Skin Health: The vitamins and antioxidants in sweet corn can contribute to healthy and radiant skin.

Bear in mind that the health benefits of sweet corn can vary depending on how it’s prepared and consumed.

Incorporating fresh, steamed, or grilled sweet corn into a balanced diet can provide these benefits while adding delicious flavour and texture to meals.

Homemade Sweet Corn Ice Cream

Seeing as Sweet Corn is loaded with healthful goodness and by its name is screaming out to be made into an ice cream – Here’s our recipe for homemade Sweet Corn Ice Cream.

Ingredients:

500g fresh sweet corn kernels (about 4-5 corn cobs)
400ml whole milk
300ml double cream
150g granulated sugar
6 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A pinch of salt

Instructions:

Prepare the Sweet Corn: Start by removing the kernels from the corn cobs. You can do this by cutting them off with a knife. Save a handful of corn kernels for later.
Blend the Corn: In a blender, puree the sweet corn kernels with 200ml of milk until smooth.
Create the Corn-Infused Milk: Pour the remaining 200ml of milk and the double cream into a saucepan. Add the pureed sweet corn mixture to the saucepan and gently heat it over medium-low heat. Stir continuously to infuse the milk with the sweet corn flavour. Do not let it boil. Once it’s heated through, remove it from the heat.
Prepare an Ice Bath: In a large bowl, fill it halfway with ice water. Place a clean bowl inside the ice bath.
Whisk the Egg Yolks: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar and a pinch of salt until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.
Temper the Eggs: Slowly pour the warm corn-infused milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture while whisking constantly. This is to temper the eggs and prevent them from curdling.
Cook the Custard: Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan and return it to the stove over low heat. Cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. This will take about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to let it boil.
Strain the Custard: Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into the clean bowl in the ice bath to remove any corn solids.
Cool the Mixture: Let the custard cool to room temperature in the ice bath, then cover and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or overnight to chill thoroughly.
Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the chilled custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches 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 – Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker to learn more.
Add the Reserved Corn Kernels: During the last few minutes of churning, add the reserved corn kernels to the ice cream maker to distribute them evenly.
Transfer and Freeze: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze it for several hours or until it’s firm enough to scoop.
Serve: Scoop and serve your delicious homemade Sweet Corn Ice Cream. Enjoy!

Feel free to garnish with additional corn kernels or a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness.

This recipe should make approximately 1.5 to 2 litres of Homemade Sweet Corn Ice Cream, depending on the size of your ice cream maker and how much air is incorporated during the churning process.

Taking it up a Notch: Enhancing the Flavour

The Art of Charring Sweet Corn

If you want to take your sweetcorn ice cream up a notch or two, then char it first! Innovation can often bring remarkable results, and in this case, something unconventional such as charring your sweet corn, actually improves your Homemade Sweet Corn Ice Cream.

Charring the corn enhances its flavour with smokiness, a touch of bitterness from the charring, and a hint of caramelisation that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of corn.

This elevates your homemade ice cream from delicious to incredibly delicious!

To do this, grill or roast your sweet corn until it’s nicely charred. You can char it over an open flame, like a BBQ or a gas stove, for an exceptional taste experience.

The charred kernels are then incorporated into your ice cream base, infusing every creamy spoonful with additional layers of flavour.

We hope you have enjoyed our article on Homemade Sweet Corn Ice Cream.

Please do drop us a comment if you have any questions and of course, we would love to hear from you with any of your homemade ice cream experiences.