This grilled pineapple ice cream is easy to make and deliciously fresh and creamy. An immediate hit in our house, it's perfect to enjoy on a warm day.
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Between our recent trip to Italy, where we had gelato pretty much every day, and the crazy warm weather we've been having now we are back, I've been in the mood for ice cream more and more recently.
Not so much popsicles (much as I enjoy mango paletas and strawberry coconut popsicles), but real ice cream and gelato-style.
I decided it was about time to play around with making some myself (I haven't, in fact, shared any, just sorbets like watermelon sorbet, persimmon sorbet and blueberry frozen yogurt).
After a couple attempts, I came up with this grilled pineapple version and it's such a great first ice cream to share. It has a lovely fresh pineapple flavor but is also smooth and creamy, plus it's easy too.
Why grilled pineapple?
You might wonder why I bothered to grill the pineapple. Well, grilling brings out the flavor and natural sweetness. It's great as a dessert straight off the grill (and I will share a simple recipe soon!), but also as a base for ice cream where the flavor can get a little lost otherwise.
You can skip the grilling, but if you're anything like me, you will likely have the grill on a lot anyway, so it's not such a big hassle to put on a bit of pineapple as well. I then froze them after they cooled, partly as it was as easy as putting in the fridge, but it also means (in my humble opinion at least):
- you can then make this whenever you want;
- it helps cool the mixture which I think helps it freeze more evenly;
- I think (though not tested) it leads to a smoother ice cream than non-frozen chunks.
How to make this pineapple ice cream
This ice cream takes slightly longer than some since the pineapple is grilled ahead of time, but after that it comes together very easily. You simply freeze the pineapple after it has cooked and cooled, then when it's frozen put everything in the blender. I then use my single serve Zoku Ice Cream Maker which works really well, but you could also just put the mixture in a container and freeze, stirring now and then, or use an ice cream maker.
I haven't included any egg yolks and made a custard, as some recipes do for richness, as I think it works fine without. It's also lower in sugar than many ice creams since pineapple has a lot of natural sweetness, especially when grilled. If you prefer a sweeter ice cream, you might want to add a bit more.
This grilled pineapple ice cream is delicately flavored, gently sweet and wonderfully creamy and refreshing. It disappeared in no time in our house (which was just as well as it was 90 degrees and we don't have air conditioning in most of the house, hence the melting ice cream in the photos!) I know we'll be having it again soon - give it a try and enjoy!
Looking for more frozen treats? Here are some favorites:
- No churn roasted strawberry ice cream
- Cherry strawberry frozen yogurt
- Roasted banana ice cream
- Avocado paletas (ice pops)
- Plus get more dessert recipes in the archives.
And if you like pineapple, you might also like to try pineapple chow (Trinidadian spiced fruit) or my grilled pork and pineapple salad.
Grilled pineapple ice cream
Ingredients
- 110 g fresh pineapple (weight without skin, approx 1 1 in slice, ¾ cup when chopped)
- ½ cup heavy cream 120 ml double cream
- ½ cup milk 120 ml
- 2 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
Ahead of time
- Grill the peeled slice of pineapple for approximately 4 minutes a side until it shows light grill marks and softens. Set aside to cool then put in a freezer bag and freeze (you can chop before freezing)
When ready to make
- Put the pineapple, in chunks, in a blender along with the cream, milk and sugar. Blend for a couple minutes until smooth. Transfer to an ice cream maker and follow instructions to chill, or put in a container and transfer to the freezer, stirring after each 30 minutes until frozen then serve.
Video
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
It's ice cream month, so we're sharing lots of tasty ideas to help you enjoy it (as if you needed an excuse) - see all the recipes:
- Blueberry Ginger Ice Cream Floats by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Chocolate Bread Ice Cream Sundaes by Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches by The Redhead Baker
- Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake by Cooking with Carlee
- Homemade Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream by Jolene's Recipe Journal
- Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches by Tip Garden
- No Churn Chocolate Toffee Ice Cream by Amy's Cooking Adventure
- No Churn Coffee Caramel Crunch Ice Cream by Hezzi-D'sBooks and Cooks
- No Churn Watermelon Swirl Ice Cream by Daily Dish Recipes
- Purple Haze Jam Ice Cream by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Roasted Watermelon-Fennel Ice Cream by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Triple Chocolate Ricotta Ice Cream by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Vietnamese Coffee Chocolate Chip Ice Cream by Books n' Cooks
Michaela Kenkel says
What a GREAT IDEA!! I love pineapple ice cream and you took it to the next level!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thank you, I definitely think the grilling takes it up a notch!
Robin Daumit says
OMG!! Not enough words to describe how delicious this is!!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thank you!
Hadia says
Grilling pineapple brings a sweeter flavor, never thought of making an ice cream out of it! Looks divine!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it definitely works well!
Liz @ Books n' Cooks says
You're totally right, grilled pineapple is amazing - it's hard to believe a sweet fruit gets even sweeter! Great idea to use it in ice cream!
Caroline's Cooking says
I know what you mean, but it really brings out the flavor, doesn't it? Which is perfect for ice cream.
Linda Nortje says
We love grilled pineapple, therefore I know this ice-cream will be an immediate hit with my family !
Caroline's Cooking says
I hope so too!
Rhiannon says
Two of my favourite things - grilled pineapple and ice-cream and yet I have never thought to try them together! You have inspired me 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
Glad to hear it - it's a great combination.
Sarah says
Totally drooling over here - I didn't know that I needed grilled pineapple ice cream in my life until now!
Caroline's Cooking says
Well glad to add it to your list 🙂
Valentina says
This sounds delicious! I love all things pineapple during the summer -- it reminds me of tropical beaches. 🙂 And grilled -- even better!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, I agree it's definitely got a summer feel to it, and works so well in ice cream.
Tisha says
This is an incredible idea! The Flavor of grilled pineapple as an ice cream!!! SO MUCH YES
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it's a delicious combination.
Nancy Hunter | Flavorpalooza.com says
Yum! A perfect summertime treat. Thanks for sharing all of the other ice cream recipes, too! A great list!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, I agree lots of great ideas.
Danielle says
This looks amazing! I love the idea of grilled pineapple in ice cream.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it works so well!
Carlee says
I absolutely love this idea! I have never grilled pineapple but now I want some plain and some in ice cream!
Caroline's Cooking says
Definitely worth giving a try (both in ice cream and on it's own!)
Karen says
I love that you grilled the pineapple. Sounds amazing. Its great that you don't need an ice cream maker too.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it really helps the flavor, I think.
Nicole says
I use grilled pineapple in everything why did I never think to add it to ice cream? This is an incredible recipe!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it was one of those things that came to me randomly but it works so well!
Wendy says
I love that you grilled the ice cream first Caroline. I much prefer cooked pineapple as raw hurts my mouth.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, yes I think it is definitely better grilled, for many reasons!