Homemade ice cream is one of the great pleasures of summer. When the weather gets hot, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of cold, creamy ice cream to refresh and revive your taste buds. The good news is, you don’t need an expensive ice cream maker to create delicious frozen treats at home. With just a few simple ingredients and a little elbow grease, you can make your own ice cream from scratch. Here are some easy recipes to get you started.
For a classic vanilla base, combine 3 cups of half and half or whole milk, 3⁄4 cup of sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Mix until the sugar and salt dissolve, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Once chilled, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In the last few minutes of churning, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 1⁄2 cup of crushed vanilla beans or vanilla bean paste. This recipe makes a rich, creamy custard-style ice cream.
If chocolate is more your style, make chocolate ice cream by adding 3⁄4 cup of cocoa powder and 4 ounces of chopped chocolate to the chilled base. For extra decadence, add 1⁄2 cup of chocolate chunks or chips during the last few minutes of churning. The chocolate will melt into ribbons and pockets of molten deliciousness. Mint chocolate chip is another classic flavor for homemade ice cream. Simply add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract and 1 cup of mini chocolate chips to the churning chocolate ice cream base.
For a refreshing fruit-flavored ice cream, puree 2 to 3 cups of fresh or frozen berries and swirl into the churning vanilla base. Raspberry, blackberry, and strawberry all work well. You can also make peach ice cream by blending 2 cups of frozen peaches with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and mixing into the vanilla base. For a tropical twist, add 1 cup of mashed banana, 1 cup of crushed pineapple, and 1⁄2 cup of shredded coconut.
Homemade ice cream doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. With a few simple recipes and techniques, you can create your own frosty treats all summer long. Enjoy!
