Bright, citrus ice cream with just a hint of banana, this is the ultimate creamy cold treat on a hot summer day.
This is the ice cream that I remember from summers spent at my grandparent’s house.
![Six Threes Ice Cream is a classic that everyone loves.](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Six-Threes-Ice-Cream-recipe-6-1-of-1-1024x732.jpg)
The original recipe makes a huge amount, far too big for the average ice cream machine today.
Six Threes Ice Cream is such an easy recipe to remember; once you make it a couple times, it will be in your memory forever.
(3) bananas, (3) oranges, (3) lemons, (3) cups of cream, (3) cups of milk, (3) cups of sugar = Six Threes. Easy as can be!
I’ve adapted my grandmother’s recipe for a basic 1.5 quart ice cream maker and added the pinch of salt and the vanilla that it seems I just can’t skip.
Family and friends all LOVE this ice cream. My youngest son cheers without fail every time we make this.
Six Threes Ice Cream Recipe
- Stir together the mashed banana, orange juice, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and vanilla.
- Stir in the milk and cream and pour the mixture into your ice cream maker.
- Freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- Serve immediately for soft-serve ice cream or transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2-3 hours prior to serving.
Shortcut Tip: Combine the banana, juices, sugar, salt, vanilla, and milk in the blender. Puree for just a few moments until combined.
Add the cream and pulse to combine. Pour into the ice cream maker from the blender.
Six Threes Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 banana mashed
- ½ cup fresh orange juice, about 1 orange
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, about 1 lemon
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or ½ a scraped vanilla bean
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Stir together the mashed banana, orange juice, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and vanilla. Stir in the milk and cream and pour the mixture into your ice cream maker.
- Freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Serve immediately for soft-serve ice cream or transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2-3 hours prior to serving.
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 6/17/13 – recipe notes and photos updated 5/18/21}
Kate Bench says
Well, I have already memorized the recipe in one go. You have explained every step so nicely. I am definitely going to try this one out.![5 stars](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=)
Mary Younkin says
I hope you love the ice cream, Kate!
Valerie says
This was delicious and I am decidedly NOT a banana fan! Thumbs up from my husband, too, both before and after churning. 😂 Love how fresh-tasting it is plus super creamy. Thank you for sharing!![5 stars](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=)
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you loved it, Valerie. I’m the same way about bananas and this is a fantastic ice cream!
Mari says
I have made and enjoyed this ice cream for many years and funny you mention about it being a lot for most machines. I wrote on my recipe Six Two’s…..to fit my ice cream machine. BUT I have a question. I don’t have orange juice, would it be okay to substitute pineapple juice? I kind of think it would work, but wondering if there would be something about acidity or any thing else that would react to the other ingredients? What do you think?![5 stars](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=)
Mary Younkin says
Hi, Mari! You should be able to substitute pineapple juice; it’s slightly more dense, but not enough to be make a real difference. Enjoy the ice cream!
Veronica says
I made this with a can of evaporated milk because I didn’t have cream on hand. The evaporated milk was 12 oz, so I decreased the whole milk to 4 oz. It came out fantastic! My husband said it tasted like an orange creamsicle.![5 stars](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=)
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit! I’ve never tried it with evaporated milk. I’m glad it worked out for you!