This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sunkist for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Delicious Homemade Orange Ice Cream: Unlocking the Flavor of Sunkist Re-Greened Valencia Oranges

Delicious scoop of homemade Sunkist orange ice cream

Imagine the vibrant, zesty flavor of fresh oranges transformed into a luxuriously creamy ice cream. Sounds delightful, right? What if I told you this incredible orange ice cream was made from oranges that still had a hint of green on their peel? You might be thinking, “green oranges aren’t ripe!” And for a long time, I would have agreed with you. But thanks to a fascinating natural phenomenon called “re-greening,” these seemingly unripe Sunkist Valencia oranges are actually perfectly sweet and bursting with flavor, making them ideal for this scrumptious homemade treat.

Making ice cream from fresh fruit requires the fruit itself to be exceptional – sweet, juicy, and full of character. Anything less and you’ll end up with a lackluster dessert. That’s why I was so intrigued to learn about re-greened Sunkist Valencia oranges, which offer exactly the kind of vibrant flavor profile needed for truly delicious homemade ice cream.

Understanding the “Re-Greening” Phenomenon

The concept of using green-skinned oranges for a sweet dessert might seem counter-intuitive, and it certainly was to me initially. Most of us associate a vibrant orange hue with a perfectly ripe citrus fruit. However, with Sunkist Valencia oranges, nature sometimes plays a little trick. I discovered that Valencia oranges, particularly in warmer climates, can occasionally “re-green” while still on the tree.

What exactly is re-greening? As oranges ripen, their skin typically loses chlorophyll and develops the familiar orange pigment. But in periods of warm weather, especially common for Valencia oranges that mature later in the season, the orange’s skin can actually reabsorb chlorophyll. This process causes the fully ripe, sweet fruit to develop green patches on its peel again, even though the inside remains wonderfully juicy and fully mature. Sunkist’s Chef Robert Danhi beautifully explains this phenomenon in this informative video, reassuring consumers that “green is good” when it comes to these specific oranges.

A bag of Sunkist Valencia oranges, some showing re-greening

To put this newfound knowledge to the test, I eagerly picked up a bag of Sunkist Valencia Oranges, some of which proudly displayed their green accents. I was excited to experience this unique citrus for myself.

Close-up of a Sunkist Valencia orange sliced in half, revealing bright orange, ripe flesh despite a partially green peel

As you can see from the image, despite the outer peel of many oranges in the bag retaining some green, the inside was unmistakably ripe, juicy, and brilliantly orange! This confirmed what I had learned: the presence of green on the skin does not indicate immaturity or a sour taste. It simply means these oranges have undergone the natural re-greening process. My mother always said you learn something new every day, and today was definitely one of those days! This discovery opened up a whole new world of possibilities for fresh orange recipes.

Crafting the Perfect Homemade Orange Ice Cream

Inspired by the exceptional quality of these Sunkist Valencia oranges, I decided to whip up a batch of simple yet utterly delicious homemade orange ice cream. The result was truly fantastic – a creamy, luscious dessert bursting with authentic orange flavor. It quickly became a family favorite, prompting plans for many repeat performances. While the first batch was wonderful, I have a little secret for an even more intense orange flavor next time: I plan to gently boil the freshly squeezed orange juice beforehand to create a natural concentrate. This will help reduce the water content, ensuring an even creamier texture and a deeper, more pronounced orange essence that binds beautifully with the other ingredients.

Close-up of creamy homemade Sunkist orange ice cream in a clear glass bowl

Tips for Maximizing Your Orange Experience

Beyond ice cream, Sunkist Valencia oranges are incredibly versatile. Here are a few valuable tips to help you get the most out of these wonderful fruits:

Store Fresh Juice with Confidence: Don’t hesitate to squeeze fresh Valencia oranges and refrigerate the juice overnight. Simply cover it tightly and place it in the refrigerator. You’ll be delighted to find that none of that amazing fresh-squeezed flavor or vital Vitamin C is lost. It’s perfect for a quick morning boost or to add to recipes!
Boost Your Breakfast Smoothies: Elevate your breakfast routine with a power-packed nutritional addition. Combine 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice with 1/2 cup of diced orange pieces in your blender. Add a peeled banana, a handful of your favorite frozen berries, and 1/2 cup of yogurt for an incredibly refreshing and healthy start to your day.
Kid-Friendly “Orange Smiles”: Make healthy eating fun for kids by cutting fresh Valencia oranges into playful “smiles.” First, cut the fruit in half crosswise. Then, from each half, cut 3 or 4 wedges. These easy-to-handle segments are perfect for little hands and provide a juicy, sweet snack.
Effortless Peeling Technique: No orange peeler? No problem! Peeling a Valencia orange is surprisingly simple. Start by trimming a thin slice from each end of the fruit. Then, set the orange on one of its trimmed ends and carefully cut away strips of peel from top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit, until all the peel is removed.

Now, let’s get to the star of the show – the homemade orange ice cream recipe! You can also find some additional Sunkist citrus recipes here for more inspiration.

Homemade Sunkist Orange Ice Cream in a bowl with a spoon

Fresh Squeezed Orange Ice Cream

Orange ice cream for creamsicle lovers, great for summer!

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8 (1/2 cup servings)

Total Time: 25 mins

Calories: 306

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 ½ cups fresh squeezed Valencia orange juice (about 4-5 medium Sunkist oranges)
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons orange extract
2 drops each of yellow and red food coloring

Instructions

Combine the sweetened condensed milk and the orange juice in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally. This step helps deepen the orange flavor and reduce some of the liquid. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Whisk together the whole milk, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, orange extract, and food colorings in a separate bowl until well combined. The food coloring helps achieve that signature vibrant orange hue.
Gently whisk both the slightly cooled orange juice mixture and the milk mixtures together until thoroughly blended. Pour the combined mixture into a clean bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until it is very well chilled. This chilling step is crucial for achieving the best texture in your ice cream.
Process the chilled mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Churn until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. Once churned, transfer the mixture to a covered freezer-safe container. Freeze until solid, which typically takes at least 4 hours, but freezing overnight is highly recommended for the best results and firmness.

Nutrition

The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.

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