If you are looking for a sensational summer treat to wow your taste buds and impress friends, the Roasted Strawberries & Sweet Lime Basil Ice Cream Recipe is an absolute must-try. This recipe combines the deep, caramelized sweetness of roasted strawberries with the bright, refreshing zing of lime-infused basil cream, creating an irresistible scoop that dances with flavors. The balance between creamy vanilla ice cream, tangy citrus, and aromatic herbs results in a dessert that feels both sophisticated and comfortingly indulgent. After one bite, you’ll be craving this delightful combo all summer long.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a white bowl filled with a thick, chunky red sauce that has visible pieces of what looks like cooked strawberries or berry fruit in it. The sauce is glossy and has a rich, deep red color with some bubbles on the surface, giving it a fresh and juicy look. Next to the bowl, on the white marbled surface, is a bunch of fresh green basil leaves, adding a strong contrast with their vibrant green color. The bowl sits on a clean white marbled background, giving the whole scene a fresh and bright feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This recipe uses a handful of simple but carefully chosen ingredients that each play a vital role in building vibrant flavors, luscious texture, and a stunning color palette. From rich cream to fresh basil and perfectly roasted strawberries, every component shines in this delightful ice cream.

625 g heavy cream: Provides the rich, velvety base that makes this ice cream luxuriously creamy.
250 g whole milk: Ensures smoothness and balances the richness of the cream.
130 g sugar: Sweetens the vanilla base perfectly without overwhelming the other flavors.
2 vanilla beans (Tahitian): Infuses the ice cream with aromatic vanilla notes for a beautifully warm undertone.
2 tsp corn starch: Helps to slightly thicken and stabilize the ice cream base for a perfect consistency.
1/4 tsp salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
500 g strawberries (cleaned, left whole): The star of the show—fresh and juicy, ready to be roasted for caramelized sweetness.
45 g sugar: Added to the strawberries to encourage caramelization when roasting.
7 g vanilla paste: Complements the vanilla beans and elevates the roasted strawberry flavor.
2 tsp balsamic vinegar (good quality): Adds a subtle acidity that intensifies the fruitiness of strawberries.
35 g basil leaves: Fresh and aromatic, essential for crafting the sweet lime basil emulsion.
1½ limes, juice only: The citrus freshness that brightens and lifts the basil cream.
2 tbsp Demerara sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the lime basil mix.
1 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin): Brings a silky texture and mild fruitiness to the basil emulsion, enhancing complexity.

How to Make Roasted Strawberries & Sweet Lime Basil Ice Cream Recipe

Step 1: Roast the Strawberries

Start by placing the whole, cleaned strawberries on a baking tray. Sprinkle sugar, vanilla paste, and balsamic vinegar over the berries and gently toss to coat evenly. Roasting at 200ºC (392ºF) for about an hour transforms the strawberries as their juices evaporate and their exterior caramelizes, turning the mixture into a luscious, jam-like consistency. Allow these gold-hued berries to cool completely—you’ll soon process them into a silky puree that packs concentrated flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Base Vanilla Ice Cream

While the strawberries cool, whisk 50 g of whole milk with corn starch until smooth to prevent lumps. In a medium pot, combine the heavy cream, remaining milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla beans. Warm the mixture on a low simmer, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar and infuse vanilla fragrance. Add the milk-corn starch mixture and keep whisking gently for about a minute until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, let it sit on the counter for at least an hour to deepen the flavors, then strain through a fine sieve to catch the vanilla pods and any solids. Cover with cling film to avoid skin formation and chill until cold.

Step 3: Make the Sweet Lime Basil Emulsion

Roughly chop fresh basil leaves and place them into a mortar and pestle. Add Demerara sugar and the juice of half a lime. Pound gently until the mixture forms a creamy paste. Then, stir in the remaining lime juice and the extra virgin olive oil to develop a velvety emulsion bursting with fresh herbal and citrus notes—this will be the refreshing highlight of your ice cream layers.

Step 4: Churn the Vanilla Ice Cream

Freeze your empty ice cream container to ensure your ice cream will freeze faster and creamier later. Pour the chilled vanilla base into your ice cream maker and churn according to your machine’s instructions, usually around 30 minutes. This process aerates the ice cream, making it incredibly smooth and scoopable.

Step 5: Assemble the Roasted Strawberries & Sweet Lime Basil Ice Cream Recipe

Pull out your frozen container and begin layering your creation. Start with a layer of the creamy vanilla ice cream, followed by a spread of the sweet lime basil emulsion, and then spoon on some of the luscious roasted strawberry puree. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a final layer of vanilla ice cream. Using a thin, long knife, create swirling zigzags through the layers to blend the flavors visually and texturally. Cover and freeze until completely firm—about a few hours or overnight for maximum flavor fusion.

How to Serve Roasted Strawberries & Sweet Lime Basil Ice Cream Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a white rectangular container filled with creamy ice cream with swirls. The ice cream base is pale cream, mixed with bright red and green swirls throughout. The red swirls look thick and smooth, while the green swirls have a slightly grainy texture, creating a marbled effect across the surface. A metal ice cream scooper holds a round scoop, displaying all three colors mixed together. The container sits on a white marbled surface, with part of a pink cloth visible near the bottom left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To bring an extra touch of elegance to your presentation, fresh basil leaves or a few whole roasted strawberries on top instantly brighten each scoop. A light drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of finely grated lime zest adds aromatic charm and a hint of natural sweetness that complements the layers inside beautifully.

Side Dishes

This ice cream shines on its own but also pairs wonderfully with warm desserts such as pound cake, shortbread cookies, or even a simple almond biscotti. These add a crunchy contrast and infuse extra buttery notes that balance the fresh brightness of the ice cream.

Creative Ways to Present

Take your serving up a notch by placing scoops in clear glasses layered with fresh strawberries and basil syrup to mirror the ice cream flavors. Another idea is to create mini ice cream sandwiches with crisp cookie wafers or waffle cones for a fun handheld treat that’s perfect for summer parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover ice cream tucked in an airtight container in the coldest part of your freezer to prevent ice crystals from forming. It’s best enjoyed within a week to maintain peak freshness and texture.

Freezing

This ice cream freezes beautifully because of its creamy fat content and the balanced acidity from lime and strawberries. Just be sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or a lid to stop freezer burn, and allow it to firm up for at least 4 hours before serving.

Reheating

While ice cream isn’t reheated in the traditional sense, if it becomes too hard, leave it at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before scooping to soften just enough while keeping its structure.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh for roasting?

Fresh strawberries roast better because they release moisture gradually, concentrating flavor and getting that jammy texture. Frozen berries tend to release too much water and might not caramelize as well, so fresh is highly recommended here.

Is it necessary to use balsamic vinegar with the strawberries?

Yes, the balsamic vinegar adds a subtle acidity that elevates the natural sweetness of the strawberries and gives depth to the roasted flavor. Using a good quality balsamic makes a noticeable difference.

Can I make the ice cream base without an ice cream maker?

While an ice cream maker creates the creamiest texture by churning and incorporating air, you can make a no-churn version by freezing the base in a shallow container, stirring vigorously every 30 minutes until fully frozen, though results will be less smooth.

How long does the roasted strawberry layer keep in the fridge?

The roasted strawberry mix can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Just make sure it’s fully cooled before storing to preserve freshness and flavor.

Can I substitute the lime with lemon or orange?

Lime juice gives a unique bright zing that pairs perfectly with basil here, but you can experiment with lemon for a similar citrus tone. Orange will add more sweetness and less acidity, changing the flavor balance, but could work if you prefer a milder citrus note.

Final Thoughts

This Roasted Strawberries & Sweet Lime Basil Ice Cream Recipe is a true celebration of summer’s freshest ingredients with an elegant twist. Its harmony of warm roasted fruit, creamy vanilla, and zesty herbal brightness makes it a standout dessert you’ll want to make time and time again. I promise it’s easier than it looks and incredibly rewarding, so go ahead—treat yourself and your loved ones to a scoop of summer magic!