Name: Passion Fruit Ice Cream
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 240 min
Ingredients: 2 cups Heavy Cream (cold); 1 cup Whole Milk (cold); 1 cup Sugar (granulated); 1 cup Passion Fruit Pulp (strained if seeds are not desired); 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (room temperature); 1 pinch Salt

Jump to Recipe

Creamy, tangy, and utterly refreshing, this Passion Fruit Ice Cream is the kind of dessert that makes any warm afternoon feel like a mini tropical escape. Imagine spoonfuls of silky ice cream bursting with bright, floral passion fruit — it’s satisfying, simple, and hard to resist. Fun fact: passion fruit was once thought to have calming properties and was used in folk remedies — dessert and history in one scoop!

This recipe is special because it’s quick to prepare, family-friendly, and relies on a handful of pantry staples. If you love easy frozen treats, you’ll also enjoy exploring homemade passion fruit ice cream on our site for more ideas and variations. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home cook, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal fuss. Get your ice cream maker ready and let’s make something delicious!

What is Passion Fruit Ice Cream?

What exactly is Passion Fruit Ice Cream — and why does the name sound like a tropical love letter? Think of it as a creamy frozen custard kissed by the lively, slightly tart juice of passion fruit. Why the “passion” in the name — is it romantic, dramatic, or just really delicious? Maybe it’s all three. After all, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Want to win someone over with dessert? This might be your secret weapon. Give it a try and see who you impress.

Why You’ll Love This:

There are a few irresistible reasons to try this recipe today. First, the main highlight is the balance between creaminess and bright, floral fruit — every spoonful is smooth with a gentle zing. Second, making ice cream at home saves money compared to specialty store or artisan tubs, and you control the quality of ingredients. Third, topping options like toasted coconut, chopped pistachios, or a drizzle of passion fruit syrup make each serving feel gourmet.

If you enjoy contrasting flavors, this tropical ice cream is a lovely dessert to follow a savory meal like our chicken scampi with creamy garlic parmesan rice. Try it at your next dinner party — it’s guaranteed to impress and delight. Ready to churn?

How to Make:

Quick Overview

This passion fruit ice cream is easy, delicious, and satisfying because it uses a classic base of cream and milk sweetened with sugar and brightened by pure passion fruit pulp. The texture is luxuriously creamy with a refreshing, fruity finish. Expect about 10 minutes of hands-on prep and 4+ hours of freezing time for firm results.

Approximate time: 10 minutes prep + churn time (varies by machine) + at least 4 hours freezing.

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream — cold
1 cup whole milk — cold
1 cup sugar — granulated
1 cup passion fruit pulp — strained if seeds are not desired, or leave seeds for texture
1 teaspoon vanilla extract — room temperature
Pinch of salt

Directions

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, and sugar until the sugar dissolves completely. Whisk for about 1–2 minutes so the base is smooth and slightly glossy.
Stir in the passion fruit pulp, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust sweetness if your passion fruits are very tart.
Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency, usually 20–30 minutes depending on your machine.
Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container, smooth the top with a spatula, and press a piece of parchment directly on the surface to prevent ice crystals. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
Before serving, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes to soften for the best scoopable texture.

Passion Fruit Ice Cream

What to Serve With:

Fresh tropical fruit salad (mango, pineapple, and kiwi) for a bright, fruity pairing.
A light buttery cookie or shortbread for contrast in texture.
Toasted coconut flakes and chopped pistachios sprinkled on top for crunch and aroma.
A raspberry or passion fruit coulis drizzled for extra tang.
Iced tea or a sparkling citrus mocktail to keep the meal refreshing.

Top Tips for Perfecting:

Use ripe, fragrant passion fruits for the most intense flavor. If your fruit is underripe, add a teaspoon of passion fruit concentrate or a touch of lemon to brighten it.
If you prefer a seedless ice cream, strain the passion fruit pulp through a fine mesh sieve before mixing. The seeds add crunch and visual appeal but aren’t necessary.
Chill the ice cream base in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours before churning for faster freeze times and smoother texture.
Don’t over-churn: stop when the ice cream resembles soft-serve — it will firm up in the freezer. Over-churning can make it icy.
For richer flavor, substitute half the whole milk with additional heavy cream, but remember calories will increase.
Common mistake: skipping the salt — a tiny pinch enhances the fruit flavor and balances sweetness.

Storing and Reheating Tips:

Freezing: Store ice cream in an airtight container with a layer of plastic wrap or parchment directly contacting the surface to reduce freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2–3 weeks for best quality.
Thawing: When ready to serve, transfer the container to the fridge for 20–30 minutes or leave at room temperature for 5–10 minutes until scoopable. Avoid microwaving; it melts unevenly.
Shelf life: Best quality within three weeks; after that texture and flavor slowly decline.
If the ice cream becomes too hard, place it in the fridge for 30 minutes, then move to room temperature before scooping to preserve creaminess.

FAQs

Can I make this without an ice cream maker?
Yes. Pour the mixture into a shallow metal pan and freeze. Every 30 minutes for the first 2–3 hours, vigorously stir or beat with a fork to break ice crystals until it firms. This produces a slightly less airy texture but still tasty.

Can I use canned passion fruit pulp or concentrate?
You can. Use high-quality canned pulp or a little concentrate to boost flavor. Taste and adjust sugar since canned products can be sweeter or more tart.

Is this recipe dairy-free or vegan-friendly?
Not as written. To make it dairy-free, substitute canned full-fat coconut milk and a plant-based cream alternative; note the flavor will shift toward coconut.

Can I make the base ahead of time?
Absolutely. Prepare the base, refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then churn when ready. Chilling the base first improves texture.

How do I prevent ice crystals from forming?
Pressing parchment or plastic wrap onto the surface of the ice cream before sealing the container, storing it at a consistent freezer temperature, and avoiding repeated thaw-freeze cycles helps minimize ice crystals.

Conclusion

This Passion Fruit Ice Cream is a bright, creamy dessert that’s easy enough for a weeknight treat and special enough for guests. It’s budget-friendly compared to artisan versions, quick to prepare, and endlessly adaptable with toppings and tweaks. If you’d like inspiration from another source or a slightly different approach, check out this detailed version at Passion Fruit Ice Cream – Beyond Sweet and Savory. Give it a whirl — share scoops with family or friends and enjoy the tropical goodness together.