Creamy, fruity and citrusy — this raspberry lemon kefir ice cream is quick and easy to make right at home. It’s a full of gut healthy probiotics and raspberry flavor, making it a refreshing treat everyone will enjoy.
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Ice cream is typically considered a junk food.
And that is true, if you are purchasing ice cream from the grocery store. Those cartons are full of ingredients that are not life giving.
However, there is a caveat.
When you make ice cream at home using real ingredients such as raw milk, kefir, a natural sweetener and fresh fruit instead of just a chemical flavoring, ice cream can be considered healthy.
Maybe not healthy in comparison to a piece of kale. But …
When I first introduced our homestead to milk kefir, I was the primary consumer. I started with a few teaspoons and slowly increased my intake to about a cup a day. Since then my husband and I drink a glass of kefir almost every single day. Occasionally our kitchen is overflowing with kefir so I like to find ways to use it up so that is doesn’t go to waste.
A kefir ice cream recipe is a terrific way to transform ordinary milk into a healthy and delicious frozen treat. Since raspberries are currently in season, I decided to toss them into the ice cream machine to create a raspberry dessert. This raspberry lemon kefir ice cream is a perfect recipe if you need a treat in a hurry. Or if you want a refreshing dessert on a hot summer day.
Besides being fun to make this recipe for kefir ice cream is jam packed full of probiotics and prebiotics — the best of both worlds!
Can You Make Ice Cream With Kefir?
You sure can! A glass of freshly cultured milk kefir or kefir cream can be used in place of regular milk or whipping cream in an ice cream recipe. Kefir can also be strained to make kefir cheese, creating a thick, rich addition to frozen kefir ice cream. Transforming kefir into an icy treat is an excellent way to get more probiotics into your body every day. Especially for those who are a bit hesitant to normally drink kefir.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Probiotic ice cream
- Easy and quick to make
- Healthy ice cream recipe
- Sugar free raspberry ice cream
- Packed full of fruity flavor
- Perfect summer dessert to help beat the heat
Tools You May Need
Ice Cream Scoop
Kefir Ice Cream Recipe
During the summer you don’t want to have to heat up the oven to make a dessert for your family. Make this raspberry lemon milk kefir ice cream instead! Tart, sweet and perfectly refreshing!
Makes: about 1 quart
Ingredients
2 cups milk kefir
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup agave nectar or honey
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons raspberry jam
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
1/3 heaping cup fresh or frozen raspberries
How to Make Kefir Ice Cream
In a blender combine the milk kefir, cream, agave, jam, lemon juice and lemon zest. Blend until smooth, approximately 1 minute. Taste and adjust to your liking.
Chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours until very cold. Pour mixture into ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions, approximately 22-25 minutes. Add the raspberries to the ice cream maker a minute or two before it has finished churning.
Place ice cream into freezer and freeze until firm. Scoop into bowls and enjoy!
FAQ
Does Frozen Kefir Still Have Probiotics?
Kefir can be frozen without destroying a significant amount of probiotics. When frozen, the probiotics will become dormant. As they thaw, inside your body, they will become active again.
What Dairy Products Contain Probiotics?
- Yogurt
- Cultured sour cream
- Cultured cream cheese
- Cultured buttermilk
- Some cheeses such as mozzarella and feta
- Raw milk
- Raw milk cream
- Milk kefir
Which is a Better Probiotic, Yogurt or Kefir?
While both dairy products are wonderful for gut health and contain probiotics, milk kefir contains a lot more probiotics than yogurt.
Are Raspberries Good for Your Gut?
Raspberries contain a good amount of fiber which helps to prevent constipation and promote healthy bowel movements. In addition raspberries can also be used as a remedy for diarrhea (source).
What Natural Sweetener is Best for Ice Cream?
Agave nectar, honey and maple syrup can all be used to make homemade ice cream. The benefit of using a liquid sweetener is that is prevents the ice cream from becoming hard and creates a nice chewy texture. Agave nectar is our favorite natural sweetener to use in ice cream made at home.
More Cultured Dairy Recipes
Raspberry Lemon Kefir Ice Cream
Creamy, fruity and citrusy — this raspberry lemon kefir ice cream is quick and easy to make right at home. It’s a full of gut healthy probiotics and raspberry flavor, making it a refreshing treat everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk kefir
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup agave nectar or honey
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons raspberry jam
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
- 1/3 heaping cup fresh or frozen raspberries
Instructions
- In a blender combine the milk kefir, cream, agave, jam, lemon juice and lemon zest. Blend until smooth, approximately 1 minute. Taste and adjust to your liking.
- Chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours until very cold. Pour mixture into ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions, approximately 22-25 minutes. Add the raspberries to the ice cream maker a minute or two before it has finished churning.
- Place ice cream into freezer and freeze until firm. Scoop into bowls and enjoy!
Pin for Ice Cream Recipe Later!
