A lot of things in life are complicated, but this Lavender Ice Cream from the iconic Nancy Meyers film is most certainly not! With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up this creamy dessert that brings men to their knees (just like Jane Adler does). You can make this new Dinner and a Movie treat with or without an ice cream maker – either way, it’ll transport you straight to Meryl Streep’s gorgeous kitchen, and isn’t that the ultimate dream?
Why You’ll Love This Honey Lavender Ice Cream
There’s nothing like a Nancy Meyers movie to make me feel nostalgic, and It’s Complicated is no exception! In today’s installment of our Dinner and a Movie series, we’re diving into the cozy, sexy, and aesthetically stunning world of It’s Complicated – arguably one of Meryl’s best works.
Meryl’s character, Jane Adler, is a masterful baker – making food for her friends and family is the one thing in her life that’s not complicated; it centers her! One of her infamous recipes is her lavender ice cream. We imagine her recipe would be made with freshly dried lavender buds sourced from her own garden and swirled with local honey. It’s creamy, floral, and has the perfect amount of sweetness.
This ice cream is like luxury in a bowl! If you’d like to try more recipes from this series, try our Princess Diaries Pear Sorbet or Chessy’s Vegetarian Chili from The Parent Trap!
Key Ingredients for Homemade Ice Cream
Just a handful of common kitchen staples, plus lavender buds! That’s all you need to make this luxurious – Meryl Streep approved! – sweet treat.
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Honey
- Dried lavender buds
- Kosher salt
Optional: Purple food coloring to give your ice cream that aesthetic oomph!
How To Make Lavender Ice Cream
Step 1: Cook Lavender Mixture
Add heavy cream, milk, honey, and dried lavender buds to a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the lavender cream is fragrant and the honey has fully dissolved, stirring occasionally.
Step 2: Cool
Remove the lavender cream base from the heat and add in a pinch of kosher salt and purple food coloring (if using). Allow the mixture to cool for 10-15 minutes. You can then transfer the mixture to another pot to quicken the cooling time. You want it to be cool enough to touch.
Step 3: Strain and Make Ice Cream
Strain the mixture from the lavender buds and chill the cream mixture for 1 hour. After chilling, add the mixture to an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Finally, transfer the ice cream to a loaf pan and wrap it with plastic wrap (or use an air-tight container), and freeze. Enjoy!
How To Make Ice Cream Without Ice Cream Maker
This lavender honey ice cream can be made without an ice cream maker! Start by putting an empty loaf pan in the freezer to chill while the cream mixture is chilling after removing it from heat. Once chilled, put the cream mixture in the frozen loaf pan and put it back in the freezer for an hour or so, covered in plastic wrap.
After an hour, take out the pan and use a hand mixer to beat the cream right in the loaf pan. Once you’re done, put it back in the freezer (covered) for several more hours before enjoying. It’s the old-school way but it works!
FAQs
What does lavender ice cream taste like?
Delicious, of course. The lavender gives the ice cream a delicately floral flavor that’s perfectly complemented by the earthy sweetness of the honey.
How do you incorporate lavender into food?
Lavender is most often incorporated into food by infusing it into liquids and straining it. You could make lavender simple syrup and then add it to cocktails, baked goods, or dressings.
What flavors pair well with lavender?
So many fruity flavors pair well with lavender, especially berries! I also love a hint of lemon with lavender or even lavender with chunks of chocolate. That would be amazing in this ice cream recipe, actually, wink wink nudge nudge.
Serving Suggestions
- Drinks: Start your night with some grapefruit white wine spritzers to feel like Meryl (everyone drinks a lot of wine in It’s Complicated), or a blackberry bourbon smash which would pair well with the lavender ice cream!
- Apps: Serve some honey sriracha brussels sprouts as an appetizer to incorporate the honey flavors into your spread.
- Main Course: Serve a light and nourishing dinner of air fryer lemon pepper salmon alongside the delicious orzo pesto salad as your side dish.
- Dessert: Enjoy a hefty bowl of ice cream of course! OR double up on the lavender! Enjoy a dollop of your freshly made ice cream on a piece of lavender cake with lemon buttercream. Yum!
More Ice Cream Recipes To Try
- Healthy Vegan Mango Ice Cream
- Spiced Cider Waffle and Caramel Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Mocha Almond Biscuit Fudge Ice Cream
- Matcha Ice Cream
- Neapolitan Milkshakes
If you make our It’s Complicated Lavender Ice Cream with Honey, be sure to tag me on Pinterest and Instagram!
I seriously love seeing what you guys are making and sharing your creations with the College Housewife community!
Lavender Ice Cream with Honey from It’s Complicated
ingredients
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tbsp dried food safe lavender buds
- Small pinch of kosher salt
- Purple food coloring optional
instructions
- Add heavy cream, milk, honey and lavender to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stirring occasionally, cook until the lavender cream is fragrant and the honey has fully dissolved.
- Remove the base from heat and add in a pinch of kosher salt and purple food coloring if using. Allow the mixture to cool for 10-15 minutes. You can transfer mixture to another pool to quicken cooling time. You want it to be cool enough to touch.
- Strain the mixture from the lavender buds and chill the cream mixture for 1 hour. After chilling, add mixture to an ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to a loaf pan and wrap with plastic wrap or air tight container and freeze.
notes
join elizabeth on the rocks
Join our newsletter to chat about all things food, cocktails, home decor, and more!