My mom is the official birthday cake queen in the family. In the weeks leading up to any of our birthdays, the person of honor puts in their special request. This year, my request for “ice cream” garnered a few raised eyebrows, but what can I say—when it comes to desserts, I’d go for a creamy, frozen treat any day of the week.
In the hottest months of the year, you cannot beat a refreshing scoop of peak-summer fruit sorbet as a light treat to cap off a meal. I love to order one at a restaurant, but when it came to my own attempts at making fruit sorbet in a blender, I was always disappointed with the end result that was too icy and never creamy.
That is, until I unlocked my secret (incredibly simple) technique: I’m calling it the “double blend.” In today’s post, I’ll explain how it works, and share the recipe for this delicious no-churn fruit sorbet. With just a handful of ingredients and a blender, you can whip up an insanely delicious treat without the need for an ice cream maker.
The secret to creamy fruit sorbet: the double freeze
This no-churn fruit sorbet is the epitome of summer simplicity. It’s quick to make, bursting with fresh flavor, and doesn’t require any special equipment. The secret is all in the “double freeze” technique. In my previous attempts, I would always blend up the ingredients, pop in the freezer, then be met with a rock solid chunk of ice that was impossible to dig a spoon into.
With this technique, you remove the sorbet from the freezer, use a knife to chop it into some big chunks, then throw them back into the blender for a final whiz. This extra step ensures your sorbet is perfectly creamy and smooth.
Here are the basic instructions:
For the “base” recipe, let’s use this strawberry sorbet as our example. Further down the post, I’ll explain how to adapt this recipe for other flavors like homemade mango sorbet and lemon sorbet.
1. Prep Your Strawberries: Start by washing and hulling your strawberries. Place them in a blender and blend until you achieve a smooth puree.
2. Create the Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Heat over low heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. This simple syrup will add the perfect touch of sweetness to your sorbet.
3. Add a Zesty Kick: Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the freshly squeezed lemon juice. The acidity from the lemon will enhance the natural flavor of the strawberries, making the sorbet tangy and refreshing.
4. Thicken It Up: Immediately whisk in the pectin or gelatin to the mixture. This step is crucial as it will give your sorbet the perfect consistency without the need for an ice cream maker.
5. Combine and Blend: Pour the mixture into the blender with the strawberry puree. Blend until everything is well combined.
6. Freeze and Blend Again: Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap and pour the mixture into it. Freeze for a few hours until the sorbet is solid. Once frozen, cut the sorbet into chunks and blend again until smooth. (If you’re feeling a bit indulgent, add a splash of cream for a richer texture.) This extra step ensures your sorbet is perfectly creamy and smooth.
7. Final Freeze: Transfer the smooth sorbet back into the loaf pan and freeze again until firm. This step is the final touch to achieving that perfect scoopable consistency.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Your no-churn strawberry sorbet is ready to be enjoyed! Scoop it into bowls or cones and enjoy.
How to adapt this recipe for other flavors of sorbet
How to make mango, raspberry, peach, pineapple, or blueberry sorbet: All you have to do is swap 3 cups of your chosen fruit in place of the strawberries.
How to make lemon, coconut, or blood orange sorbet: These are slightly different because you’re using liquid (citrus juice or coconut milk) instead of the pureed fruit. You’ll skip the first step of puréeing, and instead you’ll add the liquid straight into the simple syrup before blending. I explain exactly how to do this in the recipe card below.
Tips for the Perfect Fruit Sorbet:
Freshness Matters: Use the ripest, freshest fruit you can find for the best flavor.
Adjust Sweetness: If your fruit is very sweet, you might want to reduce the sugar slightly.
Storage: Keep your sorbet in an airtight container in the freezer to prevent ice crystals from forming.
