Honey Lavender Soft-Serve Swirl

Directions

1. 1Warm the milk and cream gently, stir in the lavender, and let it steep off the heat for 10 minutes, then strain out the buds.
2. 2Whisk the honey and vanilla into the infused base until fully dissolved and let it cool to room temperature.
3. 3Pour the base into a Swirl 2-in-1 pint at or below the max-fill line.
4. 4Freeze the pint flat for about 24 hours until solid.
5. 5Lock the pint into the Swirl and run the Lite Ice Cream program, using Re-spin if it comes out crumbly.
6. 6Fit the dispensing nozzle, select the soft-serve setting, and pull the handle to lay down a floral honey swirl.

Tips

• Freeze your pint container flat and level on a shelf, not tilted, for 16-24 hours so the base freezes evenly and spins smoothly into soft-serve texture instead of coming out crumbly.
• If your frozen pint spins out powdery or icy, pour a small splash of cold heavy cream into the container and re-spin to get that creamy swirl back.
• Taste the liquid base before freezing, because the honey and lavender flavors mellow slightly once frozen, so you want them a touch stronger than you think they should be.

Variations

• Swap half the milk for oat milk and use buckwheat honey for a nuttier, earthier honey lavender flavor.
• Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the base for a classic cream flavor underneath the floral notes, or skip it entirely for pure lavender.
• Stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped candied lavender or candied lemon peel after spinning for a textured swirl.

FAQ

Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried culinary lavender?

Dried culinary lavender is much stronger and more reliable, so fresh won't give you the same flavor depth. If you only have fresh, use about 3 times the amount, steep it in the warm cream for 15 minutes, then strain before freezing.

Why did my pint come out icy and crumbly when I spun it?

This usually means it didn't freeze solid enough or has too much air. Make sure it's completely frozen for the full 16-24 hours, and if it still crumbles, add a splash of cold cream and re-spin.

How long does the frozen pint keep in the freezer?

Keep it frozen for up to 2 weeks for best flavor. After that, ice crystals start forming and the lavender taste fades a little.

Can I make this lighter or lower-fat?

Yes, use 2 cups whole milk and 1 cup light cream instead of heavy cream, but know the texture will be a bit less creamy when you spin it. You can add a splash of milk when you re-spin if needed.

Nutrition

Per serving · makes about 2 servings · estimated