Helado de Lúcuma
Peruvian Lucuma Ice Cream
Indulge in Peru's most beloved ice cream flavor, Helado de Lúcuma. This unique dessert features the distinct caramel-maple-sweet potato notes of the lucuma fruit, creating a rich and creamy frozen treat that's surprisingly easy to make at home.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g Lucuma pulp
- 400 ml Sweetened condensed milk
- 500 ml Heavy cream
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the lucuma base: In a blender or food processor, combine the lucuma pulp and sweetened condensed milk. Blend until completely smooth and homogenous, with no lumps of lucuma remaining. This should take about 3-5 minutes. The mixture will be thick and fragrant.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Whip the cream: In a large, chilled bowl, pour in the heavy cream. Using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer with whisk attachment), whip the cream on medium-high speed. Continue whipping until medium-stiff peaks form. This means when you lift the whisk, the cream holds its shape but the tip curls over slightly. Be careful not to over-whip into butter.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 3
Combine the mixtures: Add the vanilla extract to the whipped cream and give it a quick mix. Gently fold about one-third of the whipped cream into the lucuma-condensed milk mixture using a spatula. This lightens the denser base. Then, carefully fold the lightened lucuma mixture back into the remaining whipped cream until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can deflate the cream.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Freeze the ice cream: Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container. Cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until firm enough to scoop. For best results, allow it to freeze overnight.
⏱️ 4 hours minimum
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Lucuma is a unique fruit native to the Andean valleys of Peru, often described as having a flavor reminiscent of maple syrup, caramel, and sweet potato.
- ✓For an even richer texture, you can churn the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions after step 3, before freezing solid.
- ✓Peru's favorite ice cream flavor is a testament to the deliciousness of this exotic fruit.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For added texture, gently fold in small chunks of fresh or freeze-dried lucuma during the last minute of step 3.
- A swirl of melted dark chocolate or chocolate chips can be added before freezing for a chocolate-lucuma combination.