This Lemon Buttermilk Sherbet is a refreshing dessert that makes the perfect summer treat. It’s quick and easy to make with just 3 simple ingredients.
Lemon Buttermilk Sherbet
This has been a slow spring, you’ve probably heard me say it once or twice before. There are several areas in our yard where the snow is still two feet deep. And out of complete defiance of our slow thaw, this morning I happily let our three year-old put on the new sundress I picked up for her last week. She’s been begging to wear it. And with the forecast finally predicting a high in the low 40’s, how could I possibly continue to refuse her sweet pleas?
When my daughter and I made this lovely Lemon Buttermilk Sherbet over the past weekend, it had us all dreaming about the warmth of spring and summer ahead. It just couldn’t be helped. Light and refreshing, and ultra tangy from the buttermilk and lemons, this is a dessert that screams summer!
Why I Love This Sherbet Recipe
The sherbet is icier and less creamy than ice cream. Which equals super refreshing. When it’s hot outside, that icy texture is something I crave.
I first served this about 4 or 5 hours after I had made it and put it in the freezer. It was perfectly scoop-able and held its form beautifully. The girls & I enjoyed a scoop as an evening snack, sprinkled with fresh berries. I was interested for their reaction to the recipe’s buttermilk flavor, and their answer to that was, “Can we have more, please?” Yes, that please was included. I knew they were serious!
The following evening, we had some more. But the experience was different. After spending a day in the freezer, the sherbet had frozen quite hard. It was more like shave ice. And that’s when our girls really gobbled it up. They loved it even more!
Our family likes to make all kinds of homemade ice creams, sorbets, and sherbets, but we had never made anything that used buttermilk before. So I was definitely intrigued by this recipe from my friend Michelle’s new cookbook, The Whole Family Cookbook. Michelle blogs at What’s Cooking with Kids and is the founder of a children’s cooking school that teaches families about fresh and wholesome eating.
Michelle’s blog and her new cookbook are filled with kid-friendly food, aiming to bring family members side by side in the kitchen. My sisters and I have been beyond blessed to have a mom who got us involved as young kids in cooking. I am incorporating this in our own family as well, and Michelle’s book is a wonderful example of how to do just that. The book is very visually appealing to kids and the recipes are simple and easy to follow.
For a little taste of The Whole Family Cookbook, and to see Michelle and her family in action, here is a short video to introduce you. Enjoy!
A Giveaway!!
Michelle has graciously provided one of her new cookbooks for me to give away!
All you have to do is leave a comment here and you’re entered for a chance to win!
Simply let me know your favorite easy and refreshing summertime treat.
The giveaway will end Tuesday, April 5th at 7:00 pm CST.
And the winner is…
Carina!
Congratulations to you! I will email you for more information.
Thank you to EVERYONE for entering!!
Lemon Buttermilk Sherbet
Ingredients
- 1 qt. low-fat buttermilk
- 4 large lemons
- ½ c. sugar
Instructions
- Before starting this recipe, make sure that the bowl for your ice cream maker is frozen.
- Measure the buttermilk and pour into a medium-sized measuring bowl (ideally, one with a spout).
- Zest the lemons. If using a peeler that gives you large pieces of zest, be sure to cut the zest into small pieces with a knife.
- Cut the lemons in half and juice them to measure 1/2 cup of juice. Be sure to remove any stray seeds. Pour the lemon juice into the buttermilk. Add the sugar and whisk to incorporate.
- Refrigerate for about 15 minutes, or until the mixture is very cold and sugar has dissolved. Pour the cold mixture into the frozen bowl of your ice cream maker and process for 20 minutes, or according to the manufacturer’s directions. Add the lemon zest and continue to process for another 10 minutes.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a sturdy bowl or container and put it in the freezer. Remove from the freezer and stir vigorously every 45 minutes, for up to 3 hours.
- Store in an airtight container in the freezer for 2 weeks. Be sure to take the sherbet out of the freezer about 20 minutes before scooping.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
What a wonderful tangy lemon refreshing sorbet. A real Summer treat indeed. I love serving up lemon sorbet with a drop of Lemoncello for the adults if they wish to partake. However my sorbet as like yours is usually served with seasonal fresh fruit. Always a winner with ‘Please’..Dropping by from Sweet Tooth Friday…yvette@twistedvines
Just for me…a Sonic Coke Zero! Well that’s really anytime, but also we love strawberry shortcake and blueberries right off our little bushes.
This sounds so simple and yet amazing. Love it.
Thanks for linking up with Sweet Tooth Friday!
I’m not entering the giveaway, just wanted to stop by and tell you how wonderful that sherbet looks. While it’s still too cold here to entice me to eat ice cream or sherbet, your dish and the lovely photographs of it sure to start up the cravings!
favorite summertime treat is a peach… fresh off the tree!
This looks great! Your daughter is adorable. I can’t wait to get Michelle’s book and try all her wonderful recipes.
I love a angel hair pasta tossed with lightly sauteed tomatoes,garlic,basil, and olive oil topped with freshly grated asiago cheese.
Those raspberries straight from your garden are one of my FAVORITE summertime treats!!! The kids speak of them often. The Lemon Sherbet looks like the perfect compliment!
My favorite summer time treat is watermellon. :) But i’m going to have to try your recipe. That looks delicious!
Only 3 ingredients? Now that is MY kind of recipe!
Beautiful sherbet! I can’t wait to get my hands on Michelle’s book!
I can attest to how delicious this recipe is. I’ll be making it all summer long!
this sounds great! our favorite summer treat is any thing with fruit. We love strawberry fluff cake most :)
Ice cream! I got a new maker last year and now I can have soft serve in about 20 minutes. I love my ice cream!
That sounds ah-may-zing! My favorite summertime (or anytime!) treat is frozen yogurt from Skinny Dip… Where you serve yourself & load up on toppings!!
Oh goodness, looks delish!
Thank you for the lovely post, Brenda! Your photos are beautiful too! I’d be honored if you’d post one to our Facebook page, along with a link to your post – http://www.facebook.com/whatscookingkids. xoxoxox Michelle
This sounds delicious, I can’t wait to try it. YUM!!!
Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook
That looks yummy. I love sherbet and lemon is one of my favorite flavors. It would be perfect for the hot summer days in the Deep South.
Looks delicious!!! Honestly my favorite summer treat is watermelon!! So good!