Buzz
Have you ever wanted to make ice cream at home without much hassle? To make simple ice cream, all you need are a few basic ingredients, and you don't even need an ice cream machine! Once you learn the basics of making ice cream, you can experiment with your own unique flavors!
Ingredients
Basic Ice Cream
- 2 cups (480 ml) of whole milk
- 2 cups (480 ml) of heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup (120 - 170 g) white granulated sugar
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup (120 - 180 ml) flavorings such as chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, or peanut butter (optional)
- 3/4 to 1 cup (130 - 180 g) mix-ins like chocolate chips or cookie crumbles (optional)
Creamy Milk Ice Cream
- 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
- 1 can (400 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional mix-ins like chocolate chips or marshmallow pieces, etc.
Banana Ice Cream
- 4 or 5 ripe bananas, peeled and frozen
- Vanilla or mint extract (optional)
- 1 - 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional)
- A handful of chocolate chips or strawberries (optional)
Coconut Ice Cream
- 3 ½ cups (820 ml) coconut milk
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup (120 g - 180 g) honey or agave syrup
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Steps
Make Basic Ice Cream
Pour the milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar into a blender. If you want to add any liquid ingredients such as chocolate syrup, you can do so now.
- Add thickeners, such as chocolate syrup, if desired.
Blend until smooth. Ensure that all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Add other ingredients and blend again. Now it's time to add your mix-ins like chocolate chips, cookie crumbs, or sliced strawberries into the blender. Pulse a few times until the new ingredients are well incorporated.
- If you'd like to add fruit, you can blend until smooth.
Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container. Cover the container with a lid or wrap it with plastic wrap to prevent ice crystals from forming in the mixture.
Freeze the mixture for 6-8 hours. If you'd like your ice cream to be fluffier, stir the mixture every hour.
Scoop out the ice cream to serve and freeze the rest. You can store the remaining ice cream in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Make Banana Ice Cream
Peel and freeze 4-5 bananas overnight. The riper the bananas, the tastier your ice cream will be.
Cut or break the bananas into small pieces and place them in the food processor. Each piece of banana should be about 1 cm thick. If you cut them too large, they may get stuck in the blender.
Blend for 40-60 seconds or until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Do not overblend, as the mixture will melt.
You can add flavorings to the mixture and blend for another 10-15 seconds. At this point, the ice cream is ready to eat, but you can customize it by adding candy, such as chocolate chips. Here are some great ideas:
- For mint chip ice cream, add a few drops of mint extract and a handful of dark chocolate chips.
- For chocolate ice cream, add 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
- For strawberry ice cream, add a handful of sliced strawberries.
Enjoy your ice cream immediately or freeze for later. Scoop the ice cream into small bowls with an ice cream scoop. If you’re not eating it right away, transfer it to a container and place it in the freezer. Banana ice cream can be stored for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the main ingredient is banana, so it will turn brownish after a while.
Making Creamy Milk Ice Cream
Whip heavy cream for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes thick, smooth, and holds its shape. Pour the cream into a mixer and set it to high speed. Once whipped, you'll have a creamy mixture ready for making ice cream.
- If you don't have a mixer, you can use a food processor with a whisk attachment.
Whisk sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Make sure the bowl is large enough to hold the whipped cream mixture.
Use a whisk to combine the whipped cream with the sweetened condensed milk mixture. Continue mixing and stirring until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Consider adding candy or other mix-ins. Gently fold your favorite ingredients or flavors into the mixture. Be careful not to overmix to keep the airiness of the cream. Here are some ideas to try:
- For mint-chip ice cream, add a few drops of peppermint extract and a handful of small chocolate chips.
- For S'mores ice cream, add mini marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs, and some chunks of chocolate.
- For cookies and cream, add 8 crushed Oreo cookies (or any other sandwich cookie you prefer).
Pour the mixture into a container and cover with aluminum foil. The foil helps preserve the cream's smooth texture and prevents ice crystals from forming.
- You can also pour the mixture into individual cups or bowls for single servings of dessert.
Freeze for about 4-6 hours and enjoy. Once the ice cream is frozen, scoop it into small bowls using an ice cream scooper. Store the leftover ice cream in the freezer for later use.
Making Coconut Ice Cream
Blend the ingredients in a blender for about 30 seconds until everything is well combined. Alternatively, you can whisk the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl.
Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Each ice cream maker might have slightly different guidelines, so follow the instructions specific to your model.
- If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for 6-8 hours, stirring every hour. Note that the texture may not be as smooth.
Transfer the mixture into a container and freeze for at least 1 hour. However, it's best to freeze it for 6-8 hours. This will allow the ice cream to 'mature,' which improves its texture and flavor.
- If you're not using an ice cream maker, just remove the ice cream after freezing.
Scoop the ice cream into bowls and return the remaining portion to the freezer. If the ice cream is too hard, let the container sit outside for about 15 minutes. This ice cream can be stored in the freezer for 1-2 weeks.
Tips
- If you're making mint ice cream, add a few drops of green food coloring.
- Garnish the ice cream with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries for a beautiful dessert.
- Experiment with different add-ins, such as chocolate chips, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, etc.
- Making simple ice cream is a great way to teach kids how to cook.
- If the ice cream is too sweet, you can add a pinch of salt to the mixture before freezing. The salt will help cut the sweetness.
- Leave the ice cream in the freezer for the recommended time and avoid constantly checking it, or your ice cream might not turn out as expected.
What You'll Need
Basic Ice Cream
- Blender or food processor
- Freezable container
Whipped Cream Ice Cream
- Electric mixer
- Bowl
- Whisk attachment
- Whisk
- Freezable container
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
Banana Ice Cream
- Food processor
- Whisk
- Freezable container (optional)
Coconut Ice Cream
- Blender
- Ice cream maker (optional)
- Freezable container
