| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 343 | 21g | 13g | 34g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 28g | 3g | 6g | 0.2g |
Not many people know this, but while spaghetti and meatballs hold a special place in my heart, there are other cuisines that I have loved exploring – baking and making different desserts being one of my top favorites. Today, I want to share with you a fruity delight – the wonderful African Cherry Orange Ice Cream. This is a dish I hold dear for its unique flavor profile, cultural richness, and of course, its decadent creaminess.
From my Italian background, one can’t help but become familiar with a myriad of gelato flavors. And it’s through this love of cold treats that I stumbled upon this dish, indirectly inspired by the vibrant Nature trails I’ve enjoyed on my hiking adventures.
The Special Ingredients
What makes this recipe truly unique are the African cherries, also known as Agbalumo or Udara. Their subtly sweet, tangy flavor combined with fresh orange juice brings a refreshing, tropical taste that can tantalize your palate. You’ll see a touch of my traditional Italian influence here too – with a bit of orange zest and vanilla for that extra aromatic kick.
The Health Benefits
Not only is the African Cherry Orange Ice Cream a delightful dessert, it’s also packed with a lot of nutritional benefits. African cherries are a solid source of antioxidants, dietary fiber and vitamin C. Adding fresh orange juice not only enhances the flavor but also boosts the vitamin C content, helping to strengthen the immune system. The egg yolks in the recipe provide high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids, great for heart health. However, let’s not forget, this is still a dessert – so moderation is key!
If you’re a fan of this ice cream, you might also enjoy African Cherry Sorbet. Both these dishes carry the signature sweet-tangy flavor of African cherries. Or, you can also serve this ice cream alongside African Cherry Fruit Tart for a wonderfully fruity dessert.
I find joy in sharing my love for the African Cherry Orange Ice Cream. It’s a sublime fusion of flavors and cultures – a refreshing escape from the usual Italian-American fare. And who knows? Maybe, just like me, you’ll find yourself carrying a bit of this African charm on every hiking journey you embark on in the future.
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup pure African cherry (Agbalumo/Udara) pulp
- 2 cups of fresh orange juice
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 cups of heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon of orange zest
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 6 Egg yolks
Method
Step One
Begin by extracting the pulp from the African cherry and set it aside. Also, make your orange juice fresh, ensuring to strain out any seeds or large bits of pulp. Then, grate the orange for zest.
Step Two
In a medium-sized pot, combine the African cherry pulp, orange juice, sugar, and half of the heavy cream. Place the pot over medium heat and stir until the sugar completely dissolves. Once the sugar is dissolved, add the orange zest, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir everything together and allow the mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes.
Step Three
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they turn a pale yellow color. Gradually add the hot cherry-orange mixture into the egg yolks, continuously stirring to prevent the eggs from curdling. The goal here is to temper the yolks, not to cook them.
Step Four
Once you’ve added all the hot cherry-orange mixture to the egg yolks, pour the mixture back into the pot and place it over low heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This should take about 5 to 7 minutes.
Step Five
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the remaining heavy cream. Allow the mixture to cool down to room temperature. Afterwards, cover the pot and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Step Six
Once the mixture is thoroughly chilled, pour it into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can place the mixture in a bowl in the freezer and stir every 30 minutes until it reaches an ice cream consistency.
Step Seven
Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 more hours before serving. Then, enjoy your homemade African Cherry Orange Ice Cream!
