Strawberry Italian Ice a refreshing summertime treat made with only a handful of ingredients. Strawberries are pureed in a blender then add a simple syrup along with some fresh-squeezed juices and you are ready to freeze this Italian ice.
My family really loves these fruity icy desserts and I love how easy they are to make. Plus if you are looking for something that is low in calories, gluten, and dairy-free this is for you.
Another thing that you will love there is no oven involved, so you won’t have to worry about heating up the house. And did I mention how refreshing it is?
Don’t worry if you don’t like strawberries you can try other fruits with this recipe. It just happens that strawberry is my favorite way to make it.
There is some citrus that is added to this recipe for some additions flavor. It really has a nice sweet strawberry flavor with just a touch of citrus flavor to it.
What is Italian ice?
Italian ice is a sweet treat that is made with fruit juices, concentrates or puree. It is similar to sorbet or snow cones. Some of the common flavors are cherry, lemon, mango, with many more flavors.
Helpful Tips:
- Start with strawberries that are ripe and sweet, this way you can use a little less sugar and the end result will have more flavor.
- Wash and remove the tops of the strawberries.
- Use a blender to puree the strawberries, you don’t want to leave pieces of the strawberries, make sure to process until all the berries are all pureed.
- There is lemon, lime, and orange peel that is cooked with water, sugar, and honey in this recipe. The easiest way to remove the peel from the fruit is to use a potato peeler to remove the peel. Just make sure that you are taking the peel off and not the fruit or the pith.
- I like to use some honey in this recipe to cut down on the sugar that is used.
- Once the ingredients are blended together taste for sweetness if additional sugar is needed, add it at this time.
- Pour the strawberry mixture in a 9 by 13-inch baking pan for best results.
- Once the strawberry mixture is in the freezer for 30 minutes scrape the ice that has formed around the sides of the pan. Do this 2 or 3 more times during the freezing process.
- If you make this day ahead of when you are serving it, take out 15 to 30 minutes before serving to soften slightly. It will make it easier to serve.
Steps for making this Strawberry Italian Ice
Step one
Slice the peel off of the orange, lemon, and lime. Place it in a small saucepan along with the water and honey.
Step two
Bring the water to a boil, once it comes to a boil reduce the heat and simmer for 5 more minutes. Strain and discard the peels. Add the juice from the orange, lemon, and lime and set aside.
Step three
In a blender add the cleaned berries and process until all of the berries are pureed. Add the simple sugar mixture and blend in.
Step four
Pour into a 9 by 13-inch baking pan and cover, place in the freezer to freeze. After 30 minutes remove from the freezer, with a fork or a spoon scrape the ice that has formed around the edges. Do this 2 or 3 more times during the freezing process. If freezing overnight remove the frozen mixture 15 to 30 minutes before serving.
Step five
To serve, scrape across the frozen mixture with a large spoon or a fork and place it into individual serving bowls.
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Strawberry Italian Ice
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 orange
- 1 lemon
- 1 lime
- 2 pounds strawberries washed and stemmed
Instructions
- Slice the peel of the orange, lemon, and lime making sure not to cut into the fruit (a potato peeler or sharp knife works well). Place the peel into the small saucepan along with the water, sugar, and honey.
- Bring the water to a boil, uncovered. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain and discard the peel. Squeeze the juice from the orange, lemon, and lime add to the water and set aside.
- In a blender puree the cleaned strawberries. Add the simple syrup and blend in. Taste for sweetness, if you desire more sweetness add additional sugar or honey at this time.
- Pour into a 9 by 13-inch baking pan, cover, and place in the freezer. After 30 minutes remove from the freezer, with a fork or a large spoon scrape the ice from the sides of the pan. Do this process 2 or 3 more times during the freezing process.
- To serve, scrape across the frozen mixture with a large spoon or fork and place into individual serving bowls.
Notes
- Use ripe sweet berries so you don't need to add as much sugar and for more flavor.
- Use a potato peeler to remove the peel of the orange, lemon, and lime. Make sure not to cut into the fruit. Use the juice from each of the fruits.
- After the berries have been pureed and the simple sugar mixture is blended in taste for sweetness. If you desire more sweetness add additional honey or sugar.
- Take out 15 to 30 minutes before serving for the mixture to soften some and make serving easier.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on March 15, 2014. It has been updated with new content and pictures on July 30, 2020.
I LOVE Italian ice! Especially fun flavors, like strawberry, which you don’t come across very often!
Never would have thought that I could actually make my own Italian Ice. This is a “must” for my summer.
This is a perfect summer cooler! I need to make some before strawberry peak season is over.
What a fun recipe, Dawn! I do love Italian ice, but I’ve never tried my hand at making my own batch. This is perfect for summer days in the backyard…and I bet Robbie would love this, too!
This is so cooling and refreshing, and with tons of flavor. Just what I need at the moment! Thanks. 🙂
Can I use frozen strawberries to make this? I’m making it for a crowd and I’m thinking frozen berries will be a bit more economical.
To tell the truth I have never used frozen strawberries for this recipe. But I would think they would work. Make sure they are thawed and remove excess juice, you would want to have the salad running.