Apricot Mascarpone Ice Cream is like an apricot cheesecake in ice cream form. The mascarpone cheese adds a rich and creamy tartness which makes this ice cream extra special.
What is Mascarpone?
Mascarpone is a fresh Italian double or triple cow's milk cream cheese. It has a smooth, buttery texture and a slightly sweet flavour. Mascarpone is used in both savory and sweet recipes. It's a key ingredient in Tiramasu, the classic Italian dessert.
How Do You Pronounce Mascarpone?
Mascarpone is a word that's often mispronounced. In English, the most common mistake is to leave off the "ay" in the final syllable. The correct pronunciation is mahs car POH nay.
Mascarpone or Cream Cheese, What's the Difference?
Mascarpone is Italian, while cream cheese is American. The main difference between mascarpone and cream cheese is the fat content. Cream cheese has about half the milk fat as mascarpone, which consists of whole cream. This gives it a creamier, richer taste and texture. Cream cheese is firmer and has more of a tang.
Other Ways to Enjoy Mascarpone
There are many ways, both sweet & savory, to use mascarpone. Here are just a few:
- Use in place of whipped cream to top a bowl of fruit or any dessert
- Use as a frosting for cakes and cupcakes
- Spread on bagels
- Use it for creamy soups and pasta sauces
- Use Mascarpone anywhere you would use whipping cream, sour cream, or cream cheese.
All About Apricots
Apricots are a stone fruit resembling a small peach. Although apricots and peaches are similar in taste, apricots have a richer, more tart flavour than peaches. Although you could certainly substitute peaches for the apricots in this recipe, the result will not be the same.
Apricots tangy, smooth flavour is a perfect match for mascarpone cheese.
How to Buy Apricots
The best time to buy apricots is when they are in season, which, depending on where you are, is anywhere from May to August.
Apricots will continue to ripen off the tree (at room temperature, though, not in the fridge). Because they tend to fall from the tree before they are ready to harvest, they are often picked slightly unripe. However, they must still have turned orange or golden.
Choose apricots that don't have any green. They should be smooth, unblemished, and firm to the touch, but not rock hard. After tasting, if your apricots are not completely ripe, leave them at room temperature for a day or two before using in recipes or eating fresh. Once ripe, store them in the fridge for up to a week.
Do I Need An Ice Cream Machine to Make This?
I used my ice cream machine to make this apricot mascarpone ice cream. I love owning one and use it often. However, as with this Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream, Black Currant Ice Cream, or this Mango Coconut Ice Cream, you don't need to have an ice cream machine to make homemade ice cream.
How to Make Ice Cream Without a Machine
You can easily make this recipe without an ice cream machine. It just takes a little longer as your freezer does the work. Here's how:
- Whisk all ingredients together in a freezer-safe container.
- Put it in the freezer, and after thirty minutes, take it out and give it a really good stir.
- Do this every thirty minutes until your ice cream is the texture you want it.
- It's helpful to use a timer or tell Google to remind you when its time for the next stirring session.
Recipe
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Apricot Mascarpone Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 3 cups ripe apricots chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a blender, blend 2.5 cups of the chopped apricots with the sugar until the fruit is a semi smooth puree
- Add the cream, mascarpone cheese, and vanilla
- Blend until combined
- Pour the mixture into the bowl of an ice cream machine and process according to manufacturers directions. (Usually 30 minutes)
- Add the remainder of the apricots and process for 5 minutes more.
- Serve immediately as soft serve. Or if you prefer hard ice cream, transfer to a freezer-safe covered container and freeze for 30 minutes.
Aisha
Hello, this recipe sounds amazing but wondering is there any other fruit I can substitute the apricots with? Strawberries? Peaches?
Colleen
Hi Asiha, yes, this ice cream would be just as amazing with any other fruit in the same ingredient amounts. We and all other readers would LOVE to hear which fruit you used and how it turned out.
Querino de-Freitas
HELLO,, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE YOUR ICE CREAM, BUT I GAVE A 500 GRAM OF MASCARPONE CHEESE CAN I USE THE FULL 5OO GRAMS AS I DONT HAVE ANY OTHER USES FOR THE REMAINDER..THANKS. QUERINO
Colleen
Hi Querino! 500 grams of mascarpone would be almost double the amount in the recipe. So I would either just double the whole recipe, or find another recipe for the remainder. Good luck and enjoy your ice cream!
shreeya
a, hello collean
i just wanted to ask if i was to make this beautiful recipe beforehand, would i have to keep taking the ice-cream out and stir it every 30 minutes or could i just stir it to the wanted condition and leave it like that in the freezer?
also do you know any main meal/ side meal recipes including mascarpone cheese as i don't really use mascarpone and i don't want to waste the restt of the pack.
thank you
Colleen
Hi Shreeya, You don't have to stir every 30 minutes, but if you do it will freeze more quickly. I appreciate the question so that I can clarify that in the recipe, so thank you! As for the remaining mascarpone, you can use it anywhere that you would use cream cheese. One of my favorites is to make a creamy pasta sauce with mushrooms or chicken. Enjoy this ice cream!
Terri
Wow - this looks incredible! I love mascarpone cheese and never thought to use it in ice cream. I'm making this the next time I have apricots!
Colleen
Thanks, Terri. I know you'll love it!
Brett
I used cherries, make your favorite "cheesecake" ice cream with this recipe!!
Colleen
Hi Brett, cherries would be wonderful in this ice cream. Thanks for sharing!
Shailaja DESAI
This recipe reads super delicious! Mascarpone in ice cream sounds just divine! Great clicks Colleen..
Colleen
Thanks so much Shy. It is delicious, so I hope you get a chance to give it a try!
Shareba
This is such a delicious flavour combination!
Colleen
Thanks, Shareba, it really is!
Bernice Hill
OMG the flavours in this ice cream!! I want some now....seriously. I know ice cream takes time to make but I wish I could snap my fingers and have a bowl immediately.
Colleen
Haha, Bernice, wouldn't that be great? Well, maybe not for my waistline, but....
Rhonda Albom
This is so rich and creamy. I love the apricot flavour. I never thought of using marscarpone in anything but tiramisu.
Colleen
So glad you loved it, Rhonda. Thanks for stopping back to let me know. Cheers!
Kylie Archer
Absolutely delicious! I may have lied and omited the word apricot when I made this for my son- but he loved it! Might even tell him the truth next time!
Colleen
Thanks, Kylie! I'm happy to help convert your son to apricots. 😊 So happy he loved it.
Mirlene
This is exactly what i have been looking for. This ice cream would be a perfect treat for my kiddos for after school.
Colleen
Hey Mirlene, how can it get any better than homemade ice cream for an after school snack? I know your kids will love it. Enjoy!
Vanessa
Oh wow - what a delicious combo! Time to pull the ice cream machine out😉
Colleen
You'll be glad you did, Vanessa!
whitney
I thought this was just a dessert, can't wait to try it on bagels! Thanks for sharing!
Colleen
Hi Whitney. On bagels? That would be an interesting way to eat ice cream. Enjoy.
Kristen
Our daughter loves apricots so much, so she is going to be so excited for this treat this week.
Colleen
Hi Kristen, I know your daughter will love this ice cream, enjoy!
Denay DeGuzman
I made this apricot mascarpone ice cream today, and it was beyond delicious! Next time around I'll be making a double batch of this homemade goodness.
Colleen
Hi Denay, I'm so happy that you loved this ice cream. Thanks for coming back to let me know. Cheers!