An Indulgent Homemade Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream

Learn how to make a Delicious Homemade Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream. Absolute Pure Adult Indulgence!

If you’ve never had the joy of experiencing Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream, it is quite a luxurious ice cream, not least because of the sweet-tart cherries and the splashes of amaretto that are added to it and how those flavours work together.

There was a restaurant I frequently frequented, not for their starters, nor their mains, but for their desserts!

There was one dessert in particular – Warmed Cherry compote served with Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream and pancakes. I relished this dessert!

The cherry compote was both sweet and sharp, the ice cream was silky smooth and the depth of the flavour of amaretto was intense, yet not overpowering. All finished off with a simple pancake, more like a crepe that you could soak up all the remaining amaretto and cherry-infused ice cream. It was truly a memorable, stand-out dessert!

Sadly, over time, the management changed, the menu changed, and they no longer offered that dessert. I was incredibly sad! I boycotted the restaurant, put placards up, you name it… Seriously, No I did not, lol.

However, what I did do was think about the flavours, the textures, and what it was that I loved about that dessert and I created my own version in an ice cream format.

In this article we’ll discuss the merging of these two flavours – cherries and amaretto, the incredible health benefits of cherries, the use of alcohol in ice cream, and of course, we’ll show you exactly how you can recreate this mouthwatering dessert yourself.

If you would rather, you can jump straight the to recipe at the bottom of the page, or read along to learn more.
Jump to Homemade Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream Recipe

A Fusion of Flavours: Cherries and Amaretto

The combination of cherries and amaretto is what makes this dessert. Cherries bring their sweet and slightly tart flavour, while amaretto adds notes of nutty almond along with that whiff of alcohol. Combined, they create a fantastic blend that’s both luxurious and sweetly comforting.

This fusion of flavours makes for a truly delicious dessert and of course, the addition of amaretto brings with it a very grown-up appeal.

Cherries: A Sweet and Nutrient-Rich Fruit

Cherries, these bright red, sometimes deeper red gems, are not only a tasty treat but also a nutritional powerhouse.

Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, cherries offer a wide range of health benefits:

1. Antioxidant Richness: Cherries are loaded with antioxidants, including vitamin C, anthocyanins, and quercetin. These compounds help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Cherries contain compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the body. This may be particularly beneficial for conditions like arthritis and muscle soreness.
3. Promotes Better Sleep: Cherries are a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep patterns. Consuming cherries or tart cherry juice may improve sleep quality and duration.
4. Heart Health: The potassium and fibre in cherries can support heart health by helping to regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
5. Weight Management: Cherries are relatively low in calories and high in fibre, making them a satisfying snack that can aid in weight management and digestive health.
6. Pain Relief: Some studies suggest that cherry consumption may help reduce pain and muscle soreness after intense exercise.
7. Brain Health: The antioxidants in cherries may help protect brain cells and support cognitive function as you age.
8. Skin Benefits: The vitamin C content in cherries can contribute to healthier skin by promoting collagen production and reducing signs of aging.
9. Cancer Prevention: The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of cherries may have a protective effect against certain types of cancer.
10. Immune Support: The vitamin C in cherries can help strengthen the immune system, promoting overall health.

This list is impressive and so including cherries in your diet can be a delicious way to enjoy these health benefits.

Whether you eat them fresh, dried, or in various culinary creations, cherries are a versatile and nutritious addition to your daily meals.

Amaretto: The Almond-Flavoured Liqueur

Amaretto is a liqueur renowned for its sweet almond flavour. Naturally, amaretto is alcoholic and it’s that alcohol that adds a unique depth of flavour to various desserts and drinks.

When you incorporate Amaretto into ice cream, it requires careful handling due to its alcohol content.

As with all alcohols, the addition of amaretto in our cherry amaretto ice cream can affect the freezing point of the ice cream mixture. Our article – The Art and Science of Blending Alcohol with Ice Cream – provides a detailed understanding of what that entails exactly, but it means that the Amaretto can in essence act like an anti-freeze which can make your ice cream softer and slightly more challenging to freeze.

To overcome this, it’s essential to find a balance between adding enough amaretto to impart its delicious flavour and crucially at the right time, without compromising the ice cream’s texture.

A delicate touch and precise measurements are key to achieving the perfect Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream.

Homemade Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream Recipe

Here’s our recipe for making Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream, an eggless version.

Ingredients:

• 450g fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and chopped (ideally fresh, as fresh is always best, however, frozen can still work in this recipe).
• 225g granulated sugar
• 450ml double cream
• 240ml whole milk
• 60ml amaretto liqueur
• 5ml almond extract (optional, for extra almond flavour)
• 120g chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips (optional, for added texture)
• 60g chopped almonds (optional, for added texture)

Instructions:

• Prepare the Cherries:
  • If using fresh cherries, remove the pits and chop them into small pieces. If using frozen cherries, allow them to thaw slightly.
• Make the Cherry Compote:
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped cherries and 60g of sugar.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cherries release their juices and the mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
• Blend the Cherry Mixture:
  • Once the cherry compote is cool, blend it in a blender or food processor until smooth. You can leave some chunks if you prefer a textured ice cream. You can also set aside a handful of unblended cherries to pour over the finished ice cream for added sweet cherry flavour.
• Prepare the Ice Cream Base:
  • In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the remaining 165g of sugar, double cream, whole milk, and almond extract (if using).
• Combine Cherry Puree and Ice Cream Base:
  • Pour the cherry puree into the ice cream base and mix until well combined.
• Chill the Mixture:
  • Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until it’s completely chilled.
• Churn the Ice Cream:
  • Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes.
    • 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 any ice crystals that are forming, 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.
• Add the Amaretto: Pour the amaretto into the soft serve cherry ice cream, ensuring you stir it through evenly to distribute the amaretto.
• Add Optional Chocolate and/or Almonds:
  • In the last 5 minutes of churning, add the chopped dark chocolate, chocolate chips or chopped almonds if you’d like to include them.
• Transfer and Freeze:
  • Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container.
  • If you prefer a soft-serve consistency, you can enjoy it right away. For a firmer texture, freeze the ice cream for an additional 2-3 hours or until it reaches your desired firmness.
• Serve and Enjoy:
  • Scoop the cherry amaretto ice cream into bowls or cones, and savour the delightful blend of flavours!

As always with homemade ice cream, you have the luxury of adding or reducing all the ingredients to suit your palate. Feel free to adjust the sugar or amaretto liqueur quantity to suit your taste preferences.

We hope you have enjoyed learning about our Homemade Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream and with our step-by-step guide, you’ll feel inspired to try this delicious homemade ice cream out yourself.

Please feel free to drop us a message if you have any questions and of course, we would love to hear from you about your Homemade Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream experiences.