Very Berry Ice Recipe

Introduction

This Very Berry Ice is a refreshing frozen treat that captures the vibrant flavors of summer berries. Lightly sweetened and tangy with lemon, it’s perfect for cooling down on warm days or serving as a fruity dessert.

Ingredients

• 750g summer berries (we used strawberries)
• 140g caster sugar
• juice of 1 lemon
• 300ml boiling water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Hull and chop the berries, then place them in a bowl with the caster sugar and lemon juice.
2. Step 2: Pour 300ml boiling water over the mixture and leave to macerate until cool.
3. Step 3: Blitz the cooled mixture in a food processor until smooth, then push the purée through a sieve for a fine texture.
4. Step 4: Clear a shelf in the freezer and place a sided metal tray inside to chill.
5. Step 5: Pour the purée into the chilled tray, cover with cling film, and freeze until frozen around the edges but slushy in the middle.
6. Step 6: Use a fork to break up the ice into smaller crystals and return to the freezer.
7. Step 7: Repeat the breaking up process every 30 minutes at least three times until the mixture is fully frozen with a snowy texture.
8. Step 8: For a quicker method, freeze the mixture in an ice cube tray, then blitz the frozen cubes in a food processor just before serving for a slushier texture.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries to add depth of flavor.
• Adjust the sugar amount depending on the sweetness of your berries or personal preference.
• For a dairy twist, add a swirl of yogurt or cream when serving.
• If you don’t have a food processor, a blender works just as well.

Storage

Store the frozen ice in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one week. Before serving, let it soften slightly at room temperature, then stir or blitz briefly to restore the fluffy, snowy texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen berries can be used. Thaw them first and drain any excess liquid before proceeding with the recipe to avoid a watery texture.

How long does the freezing and stirring process take?

The traditional method takes about 2 to 3 hours, as you break up the ice every 30 minutes. The quicker ice cube method is faster but results in a slushier texture.

Very Berry Ice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 124 reviews

• Author: Sophie
• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Very Berry Ice is a refreshing, homemade frozen dessert bursting with the natural sweetness and tartness of summer berries. Using simple ingredients like fresh strawberries, caster sugar, and lemon juice, this recipe combines maceration and freezing techniques to create a light, snowy-textured treat perfect for cooling down on warm days.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruit Mixture

• 750g summer berries (strawberries recommended)
• 140g caster sugar
• Juice of 1 lemon

Additional

• 300ml boiling water

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Instructions

1. Prepare the fruit: Hull and chop the summer berries into smaller pieces, then place them in a large bowl.
2. Macerate the fruit: Add the caster sugar and the juice of one lemon to the chopped berries. Pour 300ml of boiling water over the mixture. Stir gently, then allow the mixture to macerate until completely cool. This process softens the fruit and helps release its juices.
3. Puree the mixture: Once cooled, transfer the fruit mixture to a food processor and blitz until completely smooth.
4. Strain the puree: Push the smooth puree through a fine sieve to remove seeds and achieve a silky texture.
5. Chill the tray: Place a sided metal tray in the freezer until it is thoroughly chilled.
6. Freeze and scrape: Pour the sieved puree into the chilled tray and cover with cling film. Freeze until the edges are frozen and the center is slushy. Use a fork to break up the ice into small crystals, then return to the freezer. Repeat this scraping every 30 minutes at least three times until the mixture is fully frozen with a fluffy, snow-like texture.
7. Optional quick method: Alternatively, pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze solid. Just before serving, blitz the ice cubes in the food processor to create a slushier, yet equally delicious, version of the berry ice.

Notes

• For best results, use fresh, ripe summer berries such as strawberries, raspberries, or a mix.
• Repeatedly breaking up the ice during freezing ensures a fine, fluffy texture rather than large ice chunks.
• The quick ice cube method is convenient but results in a slightly less fluffy texture.
• Adjust the sugar amount based on the sweetness of your berries.
• Make sure the metal tray is well chilled to speed up the freezing process and improve texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours (including freezing and repetitive scraping)
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Freezing
• Cuisine: International

Keywords: berry ice, frozen dessert, summer berries, healthy frozen treat, homemade ice, sorbet alternative