You are going to love this no-churn creamy Earl Grey ice cream. It is officially my favorite no-cook homemade ice cream flavor! Get a tea kettle started so you can brew some Earl Grey tea :-).
If you love ice cream as much as we do, you will want to check out all of my Best Gluten Free Ice Cream recipes, I include a couple of gluten free ice cream cone recipes as well!
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Our family recently visited a new ice cream place in the Pruneyard called Tin Pot Creamery. It is a small local ice cream shop that makes interesting small-batch ice cream flavors.
(This post is NOT sponsored, I just love their creativity with ice cream flavors!!). One taste of their creamy Earl Grey ice cream and I was hooked. It had hints of Earl Grey spices and was lightly sweet. I just knew I needed to try to re-create these flavors in a creamy no-churn recipe.
What is no-churn ice cream?
No-churn ice cream is my newest addiction. It fits my criteria of being easy to make and I consider it my ice cream for when I am feeling lazy. No-churn ice creams are not cooked on a stove before freezing.
This kind of ice cream is made typically with heavy cream and flavors that are whipped into whipped cream and then you fold in your favorite toppings aka mix-ins.
It doesn't get any easier than this. From the blender, you pour your ice cream mixture into a freezable container and freeze. A few hours later you have thick, creamy ice cream!!
If you love this easy no-churn ice cream recipe, you will want to also try these gluten free ice creams: Caramel Chocolate Chip and Lemon Curd ice cream recipes.
Earl Grey tea is a black tea with a unique flavor. This flavor comes from bergamot oil, which has a slight citrus flavor. Earl Grey is believed to have lots of health benefits, as well as a nice boost of caffeine. I like Earl Grey tea because it has less caffeine than a cup of coffee, so it is a nice afternoon pick me up.
Keep in mind there are a lot of Earl Grey teas out there. Quality is important. You want a reputable tea company and not a cheap tea. I say this after watching a tea episode of Alton Brown. When tea is being processed for sale, tea manufacturers sift the tea into many grades, depending on the size of the leaf.
The cheapest teas are mostly tiny pieces of leaves and a lot of tea "dust". More expensive teas have big pieces of tea leaves in the bags.
I am convinced that Earl Grey is the best tea to make no-churn ice cream. It has cinnamon and other fun flavors that just blend in perfectly with the creaminess of the whipping cream and condensed milk.
Condensed Milk Types:
Condensed milk is available with dairy, or without (coconut-based). I love the way the slight coconut flavor works with the Earl Grey tea, so that is why I used this.
One thing I love about this ice cream recipe is that you don't have to add extra sugar. There is enough sweetness from the condensed milk to make this ice cream perfect.
I used a condensed coconut milk for this recipe. If you can't find it, that is fine. Use the regular variety. I love the way the slight coconut flavor works with the Earl Grey tea, so that is why I used this."
Everyone will love this easy no-cook homemade ice cream. You don't need a fancy ice cream maker to make this no-churn ice cream recipe, though you can use one if you prefer!
My kids make this recipe with our Vitamix. (You can also use a blender.) They sort of call this Vitamix ice cream...probably because you just dump everything in and it takes care of everything except the freezing part.
The first step to making this ice cream is to steep three Earl Grey tea bags in a cup of hot water. I steep the tea for at least 10 minutes so that it not only gets a strong flavor, but the tea also cools down more making it easier to whip with the cream. The stronger the tea the better the flavor of the ice cream!
Can you use decaffeinated tea to make this recipe?
You can use either caffeinated or decaffeinated tea to make this ice cream recipe. Many prefer to use decaf tea if they are going to serve this to their kids, or enjoy this ice cream in the evening/night.
Instructions:
Add all of your ingredients in the Vitamix or blender and whip until thick. See how the whipping cream helps this no-churn ice cream get really thick and creamy?
Pour the ice cream mixture into a freezer safe container and cover with plastic wrap. I like to use metal bread pans for storing my ice cream in the freezer. Freeze for 3-4 hours. Scoop and enjoy.
You can serve this ice cream in these Gluten Free Cookie Bowls, or make these fun DIY Gluten Free Waffle Cones. You can also try a homemade milkshake!
More delicious no-churn ice cream recipes to try:
- Pumpkin Chocolate Cookie Chunk Ice Cream
- No-Churn White Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream
- Fresh Vegan Plum Sorbet
- Dairy Free Coconut Ice Cream Affogato
Tools:
- A blender or Vitamix. You can easily make this recipe with a mixer, but it will take a little longer to whip up the cream.
- Your favorite variety of Earl Grey tea.
📋 Recipe
Earl Grey No Churn Ice Cream
This no-cook thick and creamy Earl Grey infused ice cream is easy to make. No-churn ice cream is an easy way to make ice cream.
Ingredients
- 14 ounces condensed milk
- 1 cup Earl Grey tea
- 2 pints whipping cream
Instructions
- Heat a cup of water and add three bags of Earl Grey tea. Allow to steep 5 minutes.
- Allow the tea to cool down for 10 minutes.
- Add all ingredients to a Vitamix or blender. Mix until the cream is thick.
- Pour into a bread pan or other freezer safe container and freeze for 3 hours.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 521Total Fat: 49gSaturated Fat: 31gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 158mgSodium: 117mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 0gSugar: 40gProtein: 9g
Please note this nutrition information is calculated by a recipe plugin and is an estimate based on the ingredients used in this recipe.
James P
Just made this last night with my kitchen aid mixmaster and it’s absolutely amazing. Thank you!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you liked it James. Thank you so much!
MangoAngel
Just a note: brew/steeping tea extra-long does nothing to make it stronger. The amount of tea leaves used is what adds to the strength of the tea’s flavor. Brewing/steeping for longer than 3-5 minutes doesn’t make it stronger, it just makes the tea much more astringent and bitter.
So if anyone has trouble with the tea tasting bitter in this recipe, I’d recommend making a stronger brew by using more tea leaves, and steeping no more than 5 minutes, max, to avoid any bitterness.
Carole
Hi there. I am attempting to make this recipe but with sweetened condensed cow’s milk rather than coconut. So far it is not going my way. The mixture never thickened up in the Vitamix. I am now freezing the mixture for an hour and will attempt to whip it up again.
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Carole, did you use heavy whipping cream? It should pretty much turn to whipped cream in the Vitamix.
Jenni Field
The perfect summer ice cream recipe--so refreshing!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Jenni, I love my Earl Grey this way!
Shweta
Ice cream sounds yummy. I don't have an ice-cream maker...can i try blender? or would it be too fast a churn that it will destroy it? Keeping recipe safely though...TIA
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Shweta, you can definitely use a blender 🙂
Shweta
Thanks a lot. Will try
Laura B.
This is really unique and different. I love the idea of making earl grey ice cream.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Laura, enjoy 🙂
Christina A.
This just sounds wonderful! I love the flavor of Earl Grey tea and I know it must combine so well with ice cream but I never thought to make this!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Christina, this is my new favorite because I love Earl Grey tea.
Healthy World Cuisine
I just found out about sweetened condensed coconut milk. This is EPIC! Can't wait to try this creamy and delicious non-dairy ice cream. We bet your busy getting the kiddos back to school. This is a great way to end a fun summer!
Sandi Gaertner
I am glad you were able to find it. I like it better than regular condensed milk.
Michel
This sounds so delicious! I really want to try it and I have a vita mix so its perfect! Thank you for sharing. P.s I love the photos in this post too!
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you like it Michel. Thank you so much for stopping bye :-).
Hannah
That ice cream looks nice and creamy!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Hannah.
Kimberly Flickinger
I am definitely going to try the ice cream recipe, sounds delicious. Love the idea of using earl grey tea.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Kimberly. I hope you like it as much as we did 🙂
Kristin R.
Absolutely gorgeous! I bet it smells and tastes as fragrant as it sounds!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Kristin. It does have a beautiful tea scent.
Margot C
This is like Green Tea Ice Creams, only nicer I think!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Margot 🙂
Jane
Hoping am not posting twice- 1st attempt didn't seem to work. What a gorgeous recipe, thanks so much for posting. I'd just been looking at recipes for Irish Tea Brack and this popped up. I didn't even know condensed coconut milk was a thing that existed- haven't seen it locally yet. Wow. This ice cream would be lovely with Earl Grey (or green tea?) shortbread. Have you seen Alice Medrich's Blackberry Buttermilk Sherbert? It's brilliant, like this.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much for taking the time to write Jane. I am so glad you like this recipe. I will have to look for the buttermilk sherbert...it sounds heavenly.
Jane
Eeeeee would be lovely with Earl Grey shortbread! Lovely recipe, thanks. Also had no idea that condensed coconut milk is a thing. Wow. Have not seen this locally.
Dana
My favorite tea, in an ice cream!!!!!! I can not wait to try it!
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you like it as much as we did Dana 🙂
Jei
This is such a creative ice cream flavor idea. I look forward to trying it out!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Jei. Have a great evening.
Ginny
What a great idea to use Earl Grey tea and no churn is even better.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Ginny 🙂
Kelly @ trial and eater
Ooo I'm so intrigued by this ice cream! Never made it with tea but since it looks so easy I'll have to give it a try!
Sandi Gaertner
Enjoy Kelly 🙂
prasanna hede
Amazing new flavor.Never tried Earl Grey flavor in ice-creams,looks so creamy and delish!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Prasanna 🙂
Emily
i love the idea of tea infused ice cream! Looks and sounds so delicious!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Emily 🙂
Lucy
Your new ice cream place sounds delicious! I love the flavor of earl grey. This ice cream would be so good with some shortbread cookies!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Lucy. I love the shortbread cookie idea 🙂
Karen Ingraham
This ice cream sounds amazing! I'm an Earl Grey fan from way back, and the thought of that flavor in ice cream...brilliant!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Karen 🙂