I love love love ice cream. It is a staple in my household. Anytime you come over you will most likely find it in my freezer. It’s truly a cure-all — whether I’m happy, sad, bored or excited, there’s something about a few scoops of ice cream that makes things just a little bit better.
July is National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday of this month (which happens to be today) is always recognized as National Ice Cream Day (high-five to President Regan for making this happen while he was in office). In honor of this very important holiday, I’m sharing one of my favorite recipes for homemade ice cream, along with some more adventurous flavor combinations you may want to try.
That’s right, I said homemade ice cream.
Have you ever tried making this frozen treat yourself? I thought it would be a lot of work, but it’s REALLY simple. You may even have all of the ingredients right in your own pantry!
Definitely consider getting an electric ice cream maker if you don’t already have one. You can purchase one anywhere from $25 – $250 — to find the best deal, be sure to scour the sales or head into Bed Bath & Beyond with your 20% coupon. You’ll be glad you did after you taste my recipe below.
Fresh Fruit Ice Cream
Summer is the prime season for so many fresh fruits like strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. While they are delicious on their own, it’s also fun to experiment using them in different recipes, including ice cream! And the best part is this cool treat is easy enough to make that little hands can get involved too. So don’t be afraid to bring your kids into the kitchen, get a little messy, and bond over a few hours of food and fun! My daughter, Autum, and I had a super fun afternoon making home made ice cream!
You Will Need:
- 5 eggs
- 2 cups of sugar
- 2 cans of evaporated milk
- 3 cups of milk
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla
- 4 cups of fresh fruit (I highly suggest using peaches, strawberries, or bananas. We used watermelon thinking it would be a fun summer flavor, but it was not appealing).
- Ice Cream Salt
- Ice
Directions:
In a blender, blend 4 cups of fresh fruit and set it to the side. Whisk 5 eggs in the ice cream can until blended. Then add 2 cups of sugar, 2 cans of evaporated milk, 1 tablespoon of vanilla, and the fresh fruit to the ice cream can.
Follow your electronic ice cream makers directions on how to assemble the maker. Fill your bucket with ice and layer it with ice cream salt.
Once your machine has churned the ice cream for around 30-40 minutes it will turn off. If your machine doesn’t turn off by itself then you will need to check your ice cream to see if it is finished. It should be firm — not too hard or too runny.
Scoop ice cream into cones or enjoy in your favorite bowl. For extra flavor, top with additional fruit or toppings of your choice like chocolate chips. For a different spin, scoop between two sugar cookies and create an ice cream sandwich.
Additional Flavors to Try
Ice cream flavors have come a long way since the traditional chocolate and vanilla! Nowadays you can walk into most specialty ice cream shops and find intriguing (and delicious) combinations to include ingredients like basil, fig, plum, lemon zest and much more! But you don’t have to hop in your car for a taste — there are plenty of exciting flavors you can make right in your own home! Here are a few to consider:
Buttermilk-Plum – “Though it’s a little more involved, this recipe for homemade ice cream is well worth the effort. If you like creamy, fruity ice cream and trying out new flavor combinations, you’ll love this dish.”
Cake Batter – Love the cake batter ice cream found at your local grocery store? This recipe is just as good (if not better)!
Caramel Macchiato – “Frozen Bliss: A frosty, homemade version of that famous coffee shop’s macchiato.”
Coffee and Donuts – “Frozen breakfast! Inspired by New York City donut shops.”
Lavender – “A wonderful summery ice cream… My family loved it (even those who are less adventurous eaters)!”
Salted Pecan-Maple – “This is an utterly delicious ice cream recipe. The sea salt adds a perfect touch.”
Creamy Lemon Grass – “This smooth and creamy ice cream combines the exotic flavor of lemon grass with the familiar texture and sweetness of ice cream.”
Blueberry Coconut – Coconut milk, blueberries, honey, and lemon combine perfectly to create this delicious flavor combination.
There really is no wrong way to enjoy ice cream, so get creative and discover your favorite way to enjoy this popular summertime treat! Got a great homemade ice cream recipe? Share in comments!
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