A homemade recipe for blackberry cheesecake ice cream – made without an ice cream machine. This berry swirled, no churn ice cream is a sweet and creamy summer favorite. Naturally gluten-free.

A hand holding a sugar cone with two scoops of blackberry cheesecake ice cream.

Blackberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Is there anything better than homemade ice cream in the middle of Summer? I suppose it’s possible, but this indulgent, blackberry swirled, cheesecake-inspired ice cream gives any other contender a run for their money.

Beaming with vibrant swirls of jammy, peak-season berries, and a creamy, vanilla-bean flecked custard base, this no-churn ice cream might just become your new favorite Summer treat.

A close up a flat of fresh blackberries in dappled sunlight.
Roasted blackberries with syrup on a parchment paper lined sheet pan.

Why You’ll Love this No Churn Berry Swirled Ice Cream

Sweet, syrupy, roasted blackberries combine with a rich and creamy ice cream base – with hints of citrus and vanilla – in this flavorful, Summer-y, no-churn ice cream.

Roasting the berries with a bit of sugar until syrupy and fragrant softens the fruit, concentrating the sweetness and natural flavor. And sweetened condensed milk – the magic ingredient behind no-churn ice cream – is whipped up with cream and cream cheese, into a lusciously rich and smooth ice cream base.

The two elements create a delightful, frozen collaboration that’s ready to devour after a few hours in the freezer. It’s simple, delicious, and tastes like Summer. Happy baking!!

A tub of homemade blackberry swirled cheesecake ice cream.

Blackberry Ice Cream Ingredients

You’ll need a handful of simple ingredients to make this homemade berry ice cream.

  • Blackberry Compote: Fresh (or frozen) blackberries combine with sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice to make a quick, jam-like swirl.
  • Cheesecake Ice Cream: cream cheese, whipping cream, and sweetened condensed milk, along with vanilla and lemon zest, are whipped and folded together to create the rich and creamy ice cream base.
  • Optional Add-Ins: This ice cream would also be excellent with some mini chocolate chips (dark or white). You could also add some graham cracker crumbs to mimic a traditional cheesecake crust.

Find all the exact ingredients and detailed instructions in the recipe card, below.

A tub of homemade blackberry swirled cheesecake ice cream.
Can you make dairy free no churn ice cream?

I imagine using canned coconut milk in place of the cream, sweetened condensed coconut milk in place of the dairy, and a dairy-free/vegan cream cheese would work well. Let us know if you try it!

Can you substitute vanilla extract for the vanilla bean paste?

Sure! I like to use vanilla bean paste, or fresh vanilla from a pod because I like having the little vanilla flecks throughout the ice cream, but flavor-wise, regular vanilla extract will work just as well.

An ice cream cone with two scoops of blackberry cheesecake ice cream.
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A hand holding a sugar cone with two scoops of blackberry cheesecake ice cream.

No Churn Blackberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

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  • Author: Laura Bolton – Fork Knife Swoon
  • Prep Time: 45 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 Servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Frozen, No Churn
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A homemade recipe for blackberry cheesecake ice cream – made without an ice cream machine. This berry swirled, no churn ice cream is a sweet and creamy summer favorite. Naturally gluten-free.


Ingredients

For the ice cream base:

  • 3/4 cup (6oz) block cream cheese, softened to room-temperature
  • 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream, very cold
  • 1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
  • 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • zest of one lemon

For the blackberry swirl:

  • 2 pints blackberries
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 12 tsp fresh lemon juice, to taste


Instructions

  1. Prep: place a 9x13x5” loaf pan (or similar container) in the freezer.
  2. Make the blackberry swirl: Preheat the oven to 375℉. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
  3. Add the blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a medium mixing bowl, and toss to combine. Arrange in an even layer on the sheet pan.
  4. Bake for about 20 minutes until fragrant and syrupy. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan for about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl (including juices), and let cool to room-temp.
  5. Add the berries to a food processor or blender, and pulse or blend a few times to combine. The mixture should still be a bit chunky, with small bites of fruit throughout. This can also be done by hand, mashing with the back of a large fork.
  6. Please in the fridge to thoroughly chill.
  7. Make the ice cream base: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, starting on low speed and gradually speeding up to medium, whisk the cream until stiff peaks form, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to another bowl, and set aside.
  8. Add the softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and salt to the mixer bowl and beat until smooth, light, and creamy, about 2 minutes.
  9. Switch to a spatula, and gently fold in whipped cream, until combined. Be careful not to deflate the mixture.
  10. Stir in the vanilla and lemon zest.
  11. Spoon/spread the mixture into your chilled container/pan. Cover with plastic wrap, and place in the freezer until mostly set, about 1.5 to 2 hours.
  12. Swirl in the cooled blackberries, and return to the freezer, freezing until solid, another 4-6 hours. Enjoy!!
  13. Alternatively, you can swirl in the berry mixture before the initial freeze,  but your swirls may not be as distinct.

Photography by Saltwater Studio and Laura Bolton.