Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream

Maria Calvo
43 minutes ago
2 min read

A Creamy Nostalgic Flavor Inspired by Childhood Summers

There’s something about the sound of an ice cream truck in the summer that instantly transports you back in time.

As kids, we’d hear the music drifting down the street and run inside to ask for a few dollars. Within minutes, the whole neighborhood would gather barefoot on the sidewalk, staring up at the colorful menu plastered on the side of the van.

There were so many bright, fun choices.

But for me, it was always the creamsicle.

That perfect balance of creamy vanilla and bright orange — cold, sweet, and just melty enough to drip down your fingers before you could finish it.

Recently, I was walking through Costco and saw a big bag of beautifully sweet Cara Cara oranges. They were vibrant, fragrant, and almost glowing. I knew immediately what I wanted to make.

This homemade version captures that same childhood flavor — but elevated.

It’s:

Ultra creamy
Low-carb
Easy to make
Naturally bright from fresh orange zest and juice
And made with real ingredients you can feel good about

This isn’t the artificially flavored bar from the side of a truck.

It’s the grown-up version of a childhood memory.

Unlike standard navel oranges, Cara Cara oranges are:

Naturally sweeter
Lower in acidity
Slightly floral
Beautifully aromatic

They give this ice cream a softer, rounder citrus flavor that pairs perfectly with cream and vanilla.

Ingredients

Dairy & Citrus

1¾ cups heavy cream
1 cup half & half
Zest of 2 Cara Cara oranges (avoid white pith)
½ cup fresh Cara Cara orange juice, strained

Sweeteners & Structure

⅔ cup allulose
2 Tbsp nonfat milk powder (NFMP)
Pinch fine sea salt
2 Tbsp vodka (optional, for scoopability)

Flavor Finish

2 tsp pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp orange extract (optional/adjust to taste)

Instructions

1️⃣ Cold Infuse the Orange

In a large bowl, whisk together:

Heavy cream
Half & half
Allulose
NFMP
Salt

Add orange zest, cover, and refrigerate 4–12 hours to infuse.

2️⃣ Strain & Flavor

Strain out the zest.

Whisk in:

Fresh orange juice
Vanilla extract
Vodka (if using)

Chill until the base is fully cold.

3️⃣ Add Orange Extract (optional)

Stir in ¼ teaspoon orange extract.

Taste the cold base and adjust by a drop or two if needed.

4️⃣ Churn

Churn according to your ice cream maker’s instructions until thick and creamy.

5️⃣ Freeze

Transfer to a container and freeze 2–4 hours for scoopable firmness.

Equipment We Use:

❇️ KitchenAid KAICA Ice Cream Maker Attachment: https://amzn.to/3IXYo9w

❇️ KitchenAid Hand Mixer: https://amzn.to/4iqE0eE

❇️ Ice Cream Tub Containers: https://amzn.to/3M87OAo

❇️ Spring Chef Ice Cream Scoop: https://amzn.to/4ib2wQI

Ingredients We Use

❇️ Allulose Baking Blend: https://amzn.to/3MNL88Z

❇️ Anthony's Non Fat Milk Powder: https://amzn.to/3NftkE5

(Some links are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)