How do you like your ice cream? What about your family? It's finally summer, which means and it's that time of the year again when it's so nice and warm out that you feel the urge to eat a special, refreshing treat. If you're like me, then you don't want to buy a different kind of ice cream for everyone. That's why I like my new Ice Cream Maker. You start with a basic recipe and you can add anything you like to personalize it for each taste.
There are so many ways to enjoy ice cream. Sometimes I make chocolate chips cookies and at the last minute I decide to make ice cream sandwiches with them. It's always a hit with everyone. You can even make a batch in advance and freeze them for when get that craving for something sweet.
Did you know that making ice cream can be very easy? Even your little ones can help. If they are finally home for the summer and at times they don't know what to do, this could be a fun activity. They may even surprise you with unique flavors that you have never thought of before.
If I tell you that you could have soft ice cream in 15 minutes, would you believe me? And while you wait impatiently you can watch the whole process because you can see how the ice cream is churning on top of the machine. After the 15 minutes is over, you have a few choices, you either eat your soft ice cream right away, and you could add any ingredients that you want, or you can wait another 5 minutes and your ice cream will be a bit more firm.
The first time I tried my new Hamilton Beach ice cream maker, which by the way has an on/off switch and does not require rock salt, I stopped the machine after 15 minutes and divided the soft ice cream into two small containers. In the first one I added blueberries and in the second one dark chocolate chips and Skor toffee bits. Then I took my first bite. It was a life changing moment. I told myself that I would not buy ice cream from the store anytime soon. It had the perfect texture and it was creamy, not too sweet and so yummy.
Since then I made another batch of ice cream and there are so many combinations that I want to try. I am thinking about peanut butter and chocolate, or dipping the ice cream in warm chocolate and topping it with nuts, or I could add pieces of old-fashioned brown sugar fudge. The options are endless! I keep the Freezer bowl in my small freezer, it fits, and I might even try to make gelato, frozen yogurt and sherbet, next time, because the Hamilton Beach 1 1/2 Quart Ice Cream Maker can do it all. Below is a recipe on how to make ice cream.
VANILLA ICE CREAM:
Ingredients:
2 cups cream 35%
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions:
1- In a medium saucepan combine cream, milk and sugar. Over medium heat bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to low, continue stirring until the sugar is dissolved. This will take about 10 minutes.
2- Remove the saucepan from the heat. In a medium bowl whisk the eggs. Whisk 1 cup of the hot mixture into the eggs. Pour back into the saucepan. Cook over low heat, whisking frequently, until the mixture is thick, about 3 minutes.
3- Remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract.
4- Transfer to a medium bowl. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
5- Refrigerate until chilled or overnight.
6- When ready to make ice cream, start ice cream maker and pour mixture through hole in lid.
7- Churn for 15 to 20 minutes or until desired consistency.
Enjoy!
“This post is sponsored by Hamilton Beach Canada.”
