Ice Cream

It may be getting cooler out, but I'm still up for Ice Cream. Here are six ice cream recipes to help you through the day, including Homemade Rocky Road Ice Cream and Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream. Enjoy!

EASY HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

This is from Scott Loitsch at The New York Time cooking enewsletter. For this, Scott wrote, "This easy vanilla ice cream doesn’t contain egg yolks as a lot of ice cream recipes do. Instead, it relies on cream cheese to provide texture, stability and scoopability. The cream cheese adds a brightness to the finished ice cream and helps any flavor you add to it shine. While it’s excellent on its own, this ice cream also makes a great base for building almost any flavor you can imagine, from strawberry cheesecake to peanut butter pie."

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes, plus 9 hours' chilling, churning and freezing; Total Time: 30 minutes, plus 9 hours' chilling, churning and freezing; Yield: About 1 quart

This was featured in "This Secret Ingredient Makes Homemade Ice Cream Easy,"and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1027218-easy-homemade-ice-cream. Also, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Time cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

For the Ice Cream Base

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

Ice and cold water

1-3/4 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Additions

3/4 to 1-1/2 cups mix-ins (to taste), such as rainbow sprinkles, edible cookie dough chunks or coarsely chopped chocolate sandwich cookies, chocolate covered pretzels or peanut butter cups (optional)

Preparation

Prepare the ice cream base: Cut the cream cheese into ½-inch pieces and set aside in a medium bowl. (This bowl will be used to refrigerate the ice cream base before churning.)

Place a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan in the freezer. (This pan is for holding the ice cream after churning.)

Choose a large bowl that will contain the medium bowl with some room to spare around the edges. Fill the large bowl halfway with ice and add about a cup of cold water.

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, cream, sugar, corn syrup and salt. Set over medium heat and cook for about 6 minutes, whisking often, until the mixture steams and bubbles start breaking through the surface. Remove from the heat.

Using a measuring cup or ladle, scoop about 1/4 cup of the hot milk and pour it over the cream cheese. Let sit, undisturbed, for 1 minute, then whisk vigorously until smooth. (If it looks lumpy at first, keep going: It’s essential to make it smooth at this stage.) Gradually stream in the remaining hot milk, whisking constantly until smooth. (If there are any clumps remaining, pass the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve.)

Set the bowl over the ice bath and whisk occasionally until the mixture cools completely. Add the vanilla extract and whisk to incorporate.

Remove the bowl from the ice bath. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or, preferably, overnight.

Make the ice cream: Pour the chilled ice cream base into an ice cream maker and churn according to machine instructions.

Once the ice cream has reached a thick, soft-serve consistency, remove from the machine and transfer to the chilled loaf pan. If adding mix-ins, spread half the ice cream in the pan and top with about half of your mix-ins. Swirl with a butter knife or chopstick to evenly distribute them. Top with the remaining ice cream and mix-ins, and swirl once more to distribute.

Press a piece of parchment paper directly against the top of the ice cream and cover the pan with plastic wrap. Freeze until solid, at least 4 hours. The ice cream will keep for a long time in the freezer, but tastes best within 2 weeks. When ready to serve, allow to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping, if needed.

HOMEMADE ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM

Every year on the 4th of July, my dad would bring out the ice cream freezer for the annual summer treat. True, there were other summer holidays when he could be persuaded to make ice cream. But homemade ice cream on the 4th of July was almost mandatory.

Back when Dad started the tradition for our family, the ice cream freezer was a hand-crank deal. By the time the ice cream was ready, several people had had their turn at working the crank, tiring their arms in the process. Fortunately, we have an electric ice cream maker, which helps immensely.

I have a feeling that this recipe from the almost-infamous long-since-forgotten-email-list would have been one of Dad’s favorites. While I don’t remember who sent this to the list, but whoever sent it in wrote, “I love this ice cream, very creamy and I'd say it tastes better than store bought. Hope you like it as much as we do!!” Time: 45 min; 5 min prep; serves 10 - 12

Ingredients

2 cups 2% low-fat milk

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows (or if you REALLY like them you can use half a bag like I do!)

2/3 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

Directions

Mix all ingredients together in cylinder of ice cream maker; freeze according to manufacturers directions.

Allow to set in freezer for 2-4 hours.

FRESH MANGO ICE CREAM

Several years ago, I signed up for newsletters from Authentic Florida. If you haven't signed up for their newsletters, I highly recommend it (especially if you live in and/or love Florida).

This recipe was posted in the Authentic Florida newsletter on July 21, 2020, and reposted on July 15, 2021. It's definitely yummy, and is an Authentic Florida recipe. It begins, "Florida mangos are in season and Authentic Florida’s fresh mango ice cream recipe is the perfect dessert to help you cool down. Try this fresh, delicious, tropical, and refreshing dessert that does not require an ice cream machine!"

Yield: 1-1/2 gallons

To view this online, go to https://authenticflorida.com/authentic-floridas-fresh-mango-ice-cream/. (And while you're there, don't forget to sign up for Authentic Florida's newsletter.)

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups of cubed mangos (about 3 ripe medium-sized mangos)

1/3 + 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, plus extra if needed

2-1/2 Tablespoons of lime juice (1-2 limes)

1-3/4 cups of Half & Half cream

1-1/4 cups of coconut milk (1 can found in the Asian section of a grocery store)

6-8 fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

1 ice cream maker (optional)

Instructions

Peel the mangos and cut them into small cubes. (You’ll be cutting around a large seed.) In a medium bowl combine the cubed mango with 1/3 cup of sugar, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for one hour (or longer if you have the time).

Next, pour the contents from the refrigerated mangoes (including the juice) in a saucepan over medium-low heat for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and cool. Note: if you have leftover mango (more than 2-1/2 cups), keep the mixture refrigerated to place over the finished ice cream.

In a blender or food processor, puree the mango mixture.

Next, add the lime juice and process it again. Cover and chill for an hour.

Gently stir in the pureed mango. Taste test the mixture to decide whether it’s sweet enough and if not add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar. From this point, pour into a plastic container, cover with a tight lid, and chill in the freezer, stirring occasionally until hardened. If you have an ice cream maker, following the recommended directions. In a large bowl, combine the Half & Half and the coconut milk with the remaining 3/4 cup sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar.

Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before serving. Top with some mint and fresh-cut mangos. Enjoy!

HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM

This comes from Authentic Florida (originally posted on Feb. 20, 2018, and sent out again on January 14, 2021). The recipe begins, "Did you know that Plant City, Florida is the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World?!? Right now (February) is the perfect time to take a trip to Plant City or to your local pick your own strawberry field and fill up a bucket of fresh, delicious strawberries. Grocery stores and farmers’ markets are also keeping a plentiful inventory. Read on to see how to use these delicious fresh-picked berries for an authentic Florida fresh Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe.

"Enjoy this easy recipe and the delightful pleasure of making your own homemade ice cream."

This can be viewed online at https://authenticflorida.com/articles/homemade-strawberry-ice-cream/.

Ingredients for Florida Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe

3 Cups fresh Florida strawberries, stemmed and sliced

4 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1-1/2 Cups of sugar divided (1/2 cup & 1 full cup)

1-1/2 Cups of whole milk

2-3/4 Cups heavy cream

1-1/2 Teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

Step One

In a small bowl, combine the strawberries with the lemon juice and 1/2 cup of the sugar.

Stir gently and allow the strawberries to macerate in the juices for 2 hours.

Using a strainer, strain the berries, reserving the juices.

Then, mash or puree half the berries.

Step Two

In medium mixing bowl, use a hand mixer on low speed to combine the milk and remaining granulated sugar until the sugar is dissolved, about 1-2 minutes. If you don’t have a mixer, use a hand whisk for 3-4 minutes.

Stir in the heavy cream, reserved strawberry juice, mashed strawberries and vanilla.

Step Three

Turn the machine on; pour the mixture into the freezer bowl, and let mix until thickened about 20-25 minutes.

Five minutes before the mixing is completed, add the reserved sliced strawberries and let mix in completely.

If you don’t have an ice cream maker, don’t despair, you don’t need one, just:

Pour in the reserved strawberries, mix and place into a plastic container covered with a tight lid and chill in the freezer overnight, stirring occasionally until hardened.

Note: The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture. If a firmer consistency is desired, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer about 2 hours. Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving.

Adapted from Cuisinart recipe.

MANGO SOFT SERVE

This yumminess is from Hetty Lui McKinnon at The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Hetty wrote, "When an ice cream craving hits at home, you’ll find near-instant joy in this quick, fruity mango soft serve. Juicy, creamy, tangy or anywhere in between, any frozen fruit will work here; strawberry, peaches, raspberries and blueberries are also excellent choices. Condensed milk delivers body and richness, transforming the fruit into a creamy concoction that mimics the whipped, airy texture of commercial soft serve. While this soft serve can be eaten right after blending, it will achieve a firmer texture closer to that of ice cream after a brief stint in a freezer. There’s room for add-ins too: Lime zest goes well with the mango, or, if using other frozen fruits, pair with vanilla extract, a touch of rose water, or even spices like cardamom or ginger. Make it vegan by using a nondairy condensed milk."

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Yield:4 servings

This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026922-mango-soft-serve. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

20 ounces frozen mangoes (or other fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, peaches)

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Preparation

Place the mango and condensed milk in a high speed blender or food processor. Blend, stopping the machine often to tamp down the fruit or scrape down the sides to help it break up, until the texture is smooth and airy, 1 to 3 minutes.

The soft serve is ready to eat immediately. If you’d like it firmer, scrape the mixture into a loaf pan or other container, cover and freeze for 1 hour, just until it’s firm enough to scoop. The soft serve can be frozen for longer, up to 7 days; allow it to stand for 5 to 10 minutes at room temperature to make it easier to scoop.

HONEY PISTACHIO ICE CREAM

This comes from Anita Schecter, who writes for The Spruce Eats.

For this recipe, Anita wrote, “As much as I love all desserts, nothing quite makes me swoon as much as the combination of sweet and salty. It's why chocolate covered salty pretzels and I are old friends and caramel sauce only interests me if it's got a good hit of sea salt. Candied or chocolate covered nuts are good but way more awesome if the nuts are salted.

“And so, as fond as I am of pistachios, pistachio ice cream and, basically all things pistachio, store bought pistachio ice cream is usually too sweet and one note for me. I'm missing the balance of the salt.

“Fortunately, I can easily remedy this situation by making my own and by using roasted and salted pistachios. You can make this with sugar only and omit the honey, if you like, but honey vanilla is another favorite flavor of mine so I decided to combine the two.

“When it comes to homemade ice cream, you can use a cooked custard base, which contains eggs. Or you can go for a straight dairy only option which doesn't require cooking. Because I wanted little bits and pieces of pistachios in my finished ice cream, I went with a no-cook method. If I wanted to strain them out, I would have cooked them with the base mix.

“I should also note that the color of pistachios, while definitely green, is nowhere near the deep green shade you find in store bought pistachio or even mint ice cream. You can certainly add some green food color to your ice cream if you really want that bright green shade. But I prefer to keep it all natural so my ice cream is still mostly beige but with green flecks from the bits of pistachios.

“This recipe is easy and simple and results in the perfect hit of sweet, salty and creamy. A perfect treat for a hot summer day. Enjoy!”

Prep Time: 12 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Freeze: 240 minutes; Total Time: 292 minutes; Yield: 8 (1/2 Cup) Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 Cup whole milk

2 Cups heavy cream

1/2 Cup honey

1/4 Cup sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla (vanilla paste is best, if you have it)

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

1 Cup shelled roasted and salted pistachios

Preparation

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, honey, sugar, vanilla and salt. Add the pistachios to a food processor and pulse a few times until the nuts are very broken down but not powder or paste. Add to the bowl.

Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's instructions for use. Churn for 40 minutes and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

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