Sweet Apricot Cardamom Ice Cream
A smooth, naturally sweet sorbet infused with aromatic cardamom. Light, refreshing, and low in saturated fat, it’s perfect for summer, entertaining, or a simple, guilt-free dessert.
Equipment
- 1 Small saucepan
- 1 knife (for crushing cardamom)
- 1 Fine mesh sieve
- 1 Food Processor or Blender
- 1 Ice Cream Maker
- 1 airtight container
Ingredients
Sorbet Base:
- 1 ½ cups water
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 lb ripe apricots halved and pitted
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 10 cardamom pods crushed
Optional Garnish:
- 4 fresh apricots pitted and sliced
- 2 tablespoons toasted pistachios chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Cardamom Simple Syrup: Start by making a fragrant cardamom syrup. In a small saucepan, combine 1 ½ cups of water, ¾ cup of granulated sugar, and 10 crushed cardamom pods. Place the pan over medium-high heat and stir occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves. Once dissolved, remove the pan from heat and let the syrup steep for 10 minutes. This step allows the cardamom’s aromatic oils to infuse fully into the sweet syrup, creating the sorbet’s signature warm, floral flavor.
- Strain the Syrup for Smoothness: After the syrup has steeped, carefully strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl or another clean saucepan. Discard the cardamom pods. Straining ensures that no seeds or fibrous bits remain, leaving a silky, smooth base for your sorbet.
- Poach the Apricots: Return the strained cardamom syrup to the saucepan and add 1 lb of halved and pitted apricots. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer. Let the apricots cook for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften but still hold their shape. Poaching the apricots enhances their natural sweetness and makes them easier to puree, while also infusing the syrup with a deep apricot flavor.
- Cool the Apricot Mixture: Once the apricots are tender, remove the pan from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely at room temperature. Cooling is crucial, as adding warm apricots to the ice cream maker can interfere with proper churning and freezing.
- Puree the Apricots and Syrup: Transfer the cooled apricots and syrup into a food processor or blender. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. For an extra-refined texture, pass the puree through a fine-mesh sieve, using a spatula to push the mixture through. This ensures a silky sorbet without any fibrous bits or small pieces of apricot skin.
- Add Lemon Juice for Brightness: Stir in 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the strained puree. The lemon juice adds a subtle brightness that balances the sweetness and enhances the natural flavors of the apricots, making the sorbet taste more vibrant and refreshing.
- Chill the Sorbet Base: Place the apricot-cardamom mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Chilling the mixture ensures it is cold enough to churn properly in the ice cream maker, which is essential for achieving a smooth and creamy sorbet texture.
- Churn the Sorbet: Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually for about 20–30 minutes, until the sorbet reaches a soft, frozen consistency. The churning process incorporates air, giving the sorbet a light, fluffy texture while preventing ice crystals from forming.
- Freeze Until Firm: Transfer the churned sorbet into an airtight container and smooth the surface with a spatula. Cover and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow the sorbet to firm up completely. This final freezing step ensures it holds its shape when scooped and serves with a perfect, scoopable consistency.
- Serve with Garnishes: When ready to enjoy, scoop the sorbet into serving bowls or glasses. Optionally, top each serving with fresh apricot slices and toasted, chopped pistachios. These garnishes add texture, color, and a nutty flavor that complements the sweet, spiced sorbet beautifully. Serve immediately and delight in the refreshing, creamy, and aromatic dessert.
Notes
- Use ripe, fragrant apricots for the best flavor and natural sweetness. Slightly underripe apricots can taste tart and may need extra sugar.
- Crushing the cardamom pods releases essential oils; avoid using pre-ground cardamom as it may make the flavor bitter.
- Chilling the apricot mixture before churning is crucial for smooth texture and to prevent large ice crystals.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can freeze the mixture in a shallow container, stirring every 30 minutes until fully set.
- Garnishes like fresh apricot slices or toasted pistachios not only enhance flavor but also add a visually appealing touch.
