There’s just something about berries and cream that feels like summer in a bowl. I remember the first time I made this — it was one of those golden hour evenings when the house finally cooled down and we needed something sweet but not heavy.

The vanilla ice cream is no-churn (yes, really!) and full of those gorgeous little specks from real vanilla bean. Then you spoon over a warm, juicy compote made from ripe summer berries, and oh my goodness... it’s heaven.

It’s now our backyard BBQ tradition. The kids love helping stir the compote, and I love how it feels nostalgic and homemade — without a lot of work. 

Ingredients

For the Vanilla Bean Ice Cream:

• 2 cups heavy cream

• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

• 1 vanilla bean (or 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract)

• Pinch of sea salt

For the Summer Berry Compote:

• 2 cups mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries)

• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

Ice Cream:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the condensed milk with scraped vanilla bean seeds (or paste/extract) and a pinch of salt.

3. Fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture until smooth and fluffy.

4. Pour into a freezer-safe loaf pan, cover with parchment or wrap, and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Compote:

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the berries, honey, and lemon juice.

2. Stir gently and cook for 6–8 minutes, until the berries break down slightly and release juices. Add lemon zest at the end if using.

3. Let cool slightly before serving over ice cream.

Sarah’s Tips

• Use fresh or frozen berries — both work great!

• Add a splash of vanilla to the compote for extra depth.

• You can also serve this compote over pancakes, yogurt, or oatmeal.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 280

• Carbs: 28g

• Sugars: 24g

• Fat: 18g

• Protein: 3g

• Fiber: 2g

(Nutrition may vary depending on berry mix and sweetener used)