Cherry Garcia Ice Cream – Homemade Creamy Cherry-Chocolate Delight

²Inspired by the iconic flavor, this rich, velvety ice cream is bursting with fresh cherries and dark chocolate chunks—perfectly sweet, creamy, and indulgent.

🎉 Introduction

Bring the classic ice cream shop flavor home with this Cherry Garcia Ice Cream! Creamy custard-based ice cream swirled with sweet cherries and flecks of dark chocolate makes every bite a dreamy combination of fruity freshness and decadent chocolate. Whether served in a cone, a bowl, or straight from the container, it’s a nostalgic summer favorite you’ll love making yourself. 🍨✨

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Ice cream maker (freezer bowl or compressor style)
• Medium and large saucepans
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Heatproof spatula

🛒 Ingredients

🍒 Fruit

• ½ cup Bing cherries, pitted and chopped (fresh or canned, drained)

🍫 Chocolate

• ½ cup chopped Hershey’s Special Dark chocolate bar (or preferred dark chocolate)

🥚 Custard Base

• 4 large eggs
• 1½ cups granulated white sugar

🥛 Cream & Milk

• 4 cups heavy cream (or whipping cream)
• 2 cups whole milk

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Make the Custard Base

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk eggs and sugar together until smooth.
2. Stir in milk over medium heat; cook until thickened slightly (170°F), stirring constantly—do not boil.
3. Remove from heat and pour through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl to remove any curdled bits.

Step 2: Add Cream & Chill

1. Stir in heavy cream until combined.
2. Cover and refrigerate mixture at least 4 hours or overnight until very cold.

Step 3: Prepare Mix-Ins

1. Chop cherries into small pieces; set aside.
2. Chop chocolate into rough chunks; set aside.

Step 4: Churn the Ice Cream

1. Pour chilled custard into your ice cream maker; churn according to manufacturer’s instructions.
2. When ice cream reaches soft-serve consistency, fold in cherries and chocolate pieces.

Step 5: Freeze Until Firm

• Transfer ice cream to a freezer-safe container.
• Cover and freeze at least 4 hours until scoopable.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: ~10 scoops
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Chill Time: 4+ hours
• Churn Time: 20–30 minutes
• Total Time: ~5–6 hours

🥄 Variations

• Vegan: Use coconut milk and dairy-free chocolate, skip eggs for a no-custard base
• Extra Cherry: Double the cherries for more fruity bites
• Nutty Crunch: Fold in toasted chopped almonds or pecans
• Boozy Twist: Add 1 tbsp Kirsch or cherry liqueur to custard

🧊 Storage & Serving

• Freezer: Store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks
• Serving Tip: Let soften at room temperature 5 minutes before scooping for creamiest texture

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use frozen cherries?
   Yes—thaw, drain, and chop before adding.
2. Can I use a no-churn method?
   For best results, an ice cream maker is recommended for creamy texture.
3. Do I need an egg-based custard?
   It gives a creamier texture, but you can skip for a Philadelphia-style ice cream.
4. Can I use milk chocolate?
   Sure—though dark balances cherry sweetness best.
5. Do I have to strain the custard?
   Yes—it removes cooked egg bits for smooth ice cream.
6. Can I add cherry syrup?
   Yes—swirl in a few tablespoons before freezing.
7. Will canned cherries work?
   Yes—just drain well and chop.
8. How long does it last?
   Best enjoyed within 2 weeks for freshest flavor.
9. Can I make it sugar-free?
   Use a sugar substitute compatible with ice cream.
10. What if I don’t have an ice cream maker?
    Freeze custard in a shallow pan, stirring every 30 minutes until firm.

🏁 Conclusion

This Cherry Garcia Ice Cream is the perfect homemade treat: creamy, fruity, chocolatey, and nostalgic. With fresh cherries and dark chocolate in every bite, it’s everything you love about the classic—made right in your kitchen. 🍒🍫🍨

Adam

Cherry Garcia Ice Cream – Homemade Creamy Cherry-Chocolate Delight

Inspired by the iconic flavor, this rich, velvety ice cream is bursting with fresh cherries and dark chocolate chunks—perfectly sweet, creamy, and indulgent. 🎉 Introduction Bring the classic ice cream shop flavor home with this Cherry Garcia Ice Cream! Creamy custard-based ice cream swirled with sweet cherries and flecks of dark chocolate makes every bite a dreamy combination of fruity freshness and decadent chocolate. Whether served in a cone, a bowl, or straight from the container, it’s a nostalgic summer favorite you’ll love making yourself. 🍨✨

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

chill and Churn time 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 5 hours hrs

Servings: 10 scoops

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍒 Fruit

• ½ cup Bing cherries pitted and chopped (fresh or canned, drained)

🍫 Chocolate

• ½ cup chopped Hershey’s Special Dark chocolate bar or preferred dark chocolate

🥚 Custard Base

• 4 large eggs
• 1½ cups granulated white sugar

🥛 Cream & Milk

• 4 cups heavy cream or whipping cream
• 2 cups whole milk

Equipment

• Ice cream maker (freezer bowl or compressor style)
• Medium and large saucepans
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Heatproof spatula

Method

 

Step 1: Make the Custard Base

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk eggs and sugar together until smooth.
2. Stir in milk over medium heat; cook until thickened slightly (170°F), stirring constantly—do not boil.
3. Remove from heat and pour through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl to remove any curdled bits.

Step 2: Add Cream & Chill

1. Stir in heavy cream until combined.
2. Cover and refrigerate mixture at least 4 hours or overnight until very cold.

Step 3: Prepare Mix-Ins

1. Chop cherries into small pieces; set aside.
2. Chop chocolate into rough chunks; set aside.

Step 4: Churn the Ice Cream

1. Pour chilled custard into your ice cream maker; churn according to manufacturer’s instructions.
2. When ice cream reaches soft-serve consistency, fold in cherries and chocolate pieces.

Step 5: Freeze Until Firm

1. Transfer ice cream to a freezer-safe container.
2. Cover and freeze at least 4 hours until scoopable.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Vegan: Use coconut milk and dairy-free chocolate, skip eggs for a no-custard base

Extra Cherry: Double the cherries for more fruity bites

Nutty Crunch: Fold in toasted chopped almonds or pecans

Boozy Twist: Add 1 tbsp Kirsch or cherry liqueur to custard

🧊 Storage & Serving
Freezer: Store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks

Serving Tip: Let soften at room temperature 5 minutes before scooping for creamiest texture

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes—thaw, drain, and chop before adding.

Can I use a no-churn method?
For best results, an ice cream maker is recommended for creamy texture.

Do I need an egg-based custard?
It gives a creamier texture, but you can skip for a Philadelphia-style ice cream.

Can I use milk chocolate?
Sure—though dark balances cherry sweetness best.

Do I have to strain the custard?
Yes—it removes cooked egg bits for smooth ice cream.

Can I add cherry syrup?
Yes—swirl in a few tablespoons before freezing.

Will canned cherries work?
Yes—just drain well and chop.

How long does it last?
Best enjoyed within 2 weeks for freshest flavor.

Can I make it sugar-free?
Use a sugar substitute compatible with ice cream.

What if I don’t have an ice cream maker?
Freeze custard in a shallow pan, stirring every 30 minutes until firm.

🏁 Conclusion
This Cherry Garcia Ice Cream is the perfect homemade treat: creamy, fruity, chocolatey, and nostalgic. With fresh cherries and dark chocolate in every bite, it’s everything you love about the classic—made right in your kitchen. 🍒🍫🍨