Rosemary Ice Cream
This dreamy, creamy rosemary ice cream is the ultimate unexpected but delicious dessert! With a sweet vanilla base infused with just the right amount of herby fresh rosemary, it’s impossible to resist. Gluten free and vegetarian.
Note: This recipe is NOT dairy free. It was published before Cook Nourish Bliss transitioned to dairy free recipes and remains popular with long time readers. You can try using substitutions to make it dairy free, however I have not tested this myself and can’t say how it will turn out.
I know, this sounds a little weird right?
But just go with me on this one. Don’t run away quite yet. At least let me explain myself. Try to convince you to give this a shot.
While visiting Asheville this summer, we ate at a ton ton ton of great places. I would never be able to pick a favorite overall, but for dessert?
It was veryyyy unexpectedly a rosemary ice cream that my husband ordered at this awesome tapas bar, Curate.
I will admit, when he ordered it, I pretty much looked at him like he had four heads and smugly patted myself on the back for not making such a stupid decision for dessert.
I’m pretty sure I went with some kind of cake, which was also delicious, but that’s neither here nor there.
About This Rosemary Ice Cream
Anyway. The desserts arrive. And I end up eating my words.
His rosemary craziness won. And I fought him for every last bite. Of his dessert.
So this ice cream. I’m telling you, just give it a shot.
The first bite will sort of take you by surprise, but after that? You’ll quickly decide that it’s whoa baby good. I am fully planning on making a batch to serve on Thanksgiving day.
It’s still sweet and creamy. So have no fear. I used my favorite vanilla ice cream base and switched it up by subbing in brown sugar for the normal granulated sugar.
Fresh rosemary is then steeped in the mixture, before you churn it in an ice cream maker.
You can grab a spoon and eat it straight from the machine all soft serve-like, or be a little more civilized and let it harden up a bit in the freezer before scooping it into an actual bowl.
Additional Ice Cream Recipes You Might Enjoy:
- Honey Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
- Mocha Chip Ice Cream
- Coffee Frozen Yogurt
Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.
Rosemary Ice Cream
This dreamy, creamy rosemary ice cream is the ultimate unexpected but delicious dessert! With a sweet vanilla base infused with just the right amount of herby fresh rosemary, it’s impossible to resist. Gluten free and vegetarian.
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream, divided
- ¾ cup loosely packed light brown sugar
- pinch of salt
- 3 (about 6 inch) sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add 1 cup of the heavy cream, the sugar, salt and rosemary sprigs (leaving the whole sprigs intact). Set the pan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Let the mixture just barely start to simmer around the edges then immediately remove from the heat.
- Stir in the remaining cup of cream, the milk and vanilla extract.
- Refrigerate the mixture for about 6 hours (this gives the rosemary time to steep and infuse).
- Remove the rosemary springs and then freeze the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Notes
Vanilla ice cream base adapted from The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 289Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 34mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 0gSugar: 20gProtein: 3g
Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.
Wow, ok this was amazing and easy. This is now my go-to ice cream recipe and I will absolutely be making it the next time friends come over.
So happy to hear this! Thank you for taking the time to let me know Ellen 🙂
OMG! This Rosemary Ice Cream is sooo yummy! This may be my new favorite ice cream. I have the ice cream attachment for my Kitchen Aid mixer and it worked so well. I will definitely be making this again, and again, and again. I can’t wait to serve this at my next dinner with friends and/or family.
I love this! Thanks so much for letting me know Kathy 🙂
Made it and loved it. Making again tomorrow to bring as a hostess gift. What topping (if any) would you recommend? A drizzle with balsamic cream? Honey? Or fresh berries? Or just a sprig of Rosemary?
So happy to hear it Karen! I usually just do this ice cream plain but I think either honey or a simple sprig of rosemary would be perfect 🙂
My family and I went to the same restaurant 4 years ago and my husband has never stopped talking about that ice cream. Just got an ice cream maker for Christmas and the first ice cream he wants me to make is this Rosemary Ice Cream! Looking forward to it!
Yes! I love this – sounds just like my husband (who also still talks about it lol). Hope you all enjoy! 🙂
I will try this recipe next batch of ice cream. I just made a batch of blackberry lime coconut. Can’t wait to try it tonight!
Another great use of rosemary is in au jus for French dips. Once we had this in a restaurant, we can’t make without now. We grow it so it’s always on hand.
So fun to experiment
Ooo that ice cream sounds delicious! And so do the dips!
Hi Ashley…what a gorgeous blog! A friend introduced me to you via this recipe for rosemary ice cream which I am definitely going to make. I stayed and had a look around. Gorgeous photos, delicious recipes! Thanks for your hard work.
Ange xxx
Thank you so much for the kind words Ange!! 🙂
Was this an equal substitution of brown sugar for regular sugar? I have my own vanilla recipe I like, and I’m wondering if I can adapt this to that. Sounds amazing! Thank you!
Hey Stephanie! Yes! Equal substitution for the regular sugar with the brown (I just make sure to lightly pack the brown sugar here). I definitely think you could adapt this to your own favorite vanilla recipe!
i can totally see this working…i made rosemary shortbread cookies last christmas after ben saw the recipe in a magazine and wanted to try them. i guess husbands must have a thing for rosemary, huh?
Must be! 🙂
Okay at first I thought it was a little weird but you know what? It sounds kinda good and I bet it works really well. I would definitely give this a go!
I’m so intrigued by this ice cream! All I can say is wow, wow, wow!
I am seriously intrigued Ashley! And with 6 ingredients can you really go wrong? Plus rosemary is delish! Your pictures are gorgeous as always 🙂
Thanks friend! 🙂
That sounds totally crazy and I can’t wait to try it! I love rosemary so I’m sure it’s lovely and totally different! Now to get an ice cream maker so I can try it!
It’s definitely different but so so good!
I don’t think this is weird at all. Plus I trust you.
I’m so glad! I promise it’s delicious 🙂
This sounds super interesting. Hey, if it’s ice cream, I’ll try it 🙂
Ashley you don’t even need to convince me to have an ice cream because I addictive to eat and I have ice cream even when is below zero! This recipe with rosemary looks awesome!
Okay, this is so crazy creative that I’m a little scared but I believe you when you say it’s incredible! I also happen to LOVE rosemary so I would be more than willing to give a try. Now I just need to figure out how to get invited to your house for Thanksgiving, haha. 😉
I promise it’s good!! haha and you are always welcome! The more the merrier!
I love rosemary ice cream! Wish I could have a scoop now. A great flavour combination, Ashley.
Really? Rosemary ice cream? At first I must admit it sounded weird, but the more I read and more I think…actually started to sound really good…thanks for the inspiration Ashley!
Have a great week 🙂
This sounds amazing!! I love the flavor of rosemary, but I’m not in love with the spiky texture. This ice cream sounds divine! Pinned.
Ooooh look at you all fancy with this recipe! I need an ice cream maker stat. I almost put it it on my wedding registry but decided that I wouldn’t use it…but, it’s 5+years later and now I regret it! Well, sorta. If I had one it could be a lot of trouble for this ice cream lover 🙂
I didn’t put one on my wedding registry either … and then wound up buying one about a year later! lol
I am not running at all! This sounds awesome! I just bought a little rosemary plant and I love running my hands through it so that they will smell like rosemary 🙂 I don’t think I’ve ever seen rosemary ice cream anywhere, so I guess I will just have to make this so I can eat some!
Yes! You should give it a try! 🙂
I love how you always give me something to think about. I did a double-take with this but I’ll trust you. Not only do I bet it’s surprising and tasty, just the fact that this ice cream would make wonderful dinner conversation would make it worthwhile! It’s perfect for Thanksgiving! And I love this Philly-style vanilla ice cream base and make it a lot, too! Never thought to use brown sugar instead but it sounds great and probably makes the ice cream creamier?
It’s my absolute favorite ice cream base! And yes! It gives this almost sort of caramel hint / undertone – I’m not sure I’ll go back to regular granulated sugar when I make it!
Nope. Not weird. I can totally trust you on this because OMG it looks so creamy and wonderful! And I <3 rosemary in all forms. What a unique and fun ice cream recipe, Ashley! 😀
Wow, what a wonderful ice cream flavor! I wish we had gone there while we were in Ashleville, haha. I’m trying to imagine what it tastes like, but I should probably just make it! Beautiful photos too! I can never nail the bright-white look. 🙂
haha I think we all just need to go back!
LOVE rosemary flavoured ice cream.. never made it myself before though. Definitely will be making your recipe Ashley, I have a feeling it will be perfect for the hot Christmas Summer here in Australia. Maybe I can add cranberries too?
Yum! I bet that would be a delicious addition!
I can’t quite imagine how this tastes, but I trust you that it’s delicious! It looks so perfect on that scoop in your first photo.
I think so-called ‘weird’ ice cream flavours can work so well. I remember that ‘brown bread ice cream’ used to be ‘a thing’ here in the UK a few years ago. It sounded awful to me but honestly it was delicious!
That sounds interesting! Hey, as long as it tastes good that’s all that matters!
This doesn’t sound weird at all! I’m totally going to need to try this, because you always come up with the best flavor combinations 🙂
You are too kind 🙂
WOW! What a fun recipe! Looks delicious! I have never had rosemary ice cream before, but I’ll take your word for it! I’m sure it’s delicious! It looks so yummy! …beautiful pictures btw! 🙂
Thanks Cailee!
This rosemary ice cream sounds amazing! Definitely not weird – I love the brown sugar in here too! I can just imagine how fresh and amazing this tastes! Mmmm, I’d love a big bowl right now – looks so creamy and delicious!
I’ve started using brown sugar in most ice creams I make – it’s amazing!
Wow that’s one creative ice cream! I’d love to try it.
One of the best desserts I’ve ever eaten was an apple crisp with a rosemary creme fraiche ice cream. I about fell over it was so good! I would never have thought herbs would be tasty in ice cream, but it’s so delicious. I’m in! 🙂
Right? Me either … until I tried it! haha 🙂
So, I’m one of those people who taste rosemary directly at the farmer’s market and can immediately pick up when rosemary has been added to a dish. SO, I know I would love this ice cream! This is such an innovative idea and loved that you recreated it!
Thanks Jessica!
I am so so intrigued – I have never heard of rosemary ice cream before – sounds intoxicating!
Not weird AT ALL. Rosemary is my all-time favorite fresh herb, and I just LOVE the way it compliments sweet items. Love love love!
I think it’s my favorite fresh herb too – there’s just something about it!
I love the use of herbs in dessert, especially in the fall. The brown sugar sounds like a lovely addition, too. Pinning this one for sure!
I could totally see this working! The next out-there flavor I plan to try is corn ice cream. 🙂
I want a big scoop of this! What a great idea, I bet it smells amaaaaaaaaazing!
Nope, it doesn’t sound weird at all! I love rosemary in pretty much anything. I’m sure this ice cream tastes amazing!
I am all over the rosemary ice cream Ashely! It’s my favorite herb, I gargle with it. Ok, it’s not that bad. But i’m on an advocacy group that supports rosemary to be used in ice cream. Ok, nix that bit too. But seriously, it’s the best once you’ve tried it, isn’t it? Amazing!
haha I love it! It is soooo good – I was so surprised at just how much I enjoyed it!
I’ve never heard of rosemary ice cream, but now I’m intrigued! I love that it’s still sweet and full of flavor. What a creative combination, Ashley!