Raise your hand who doesn't love ice cream? If you have a craving to eat it, but you don't have cream at home, don't despair. Theoretically, cream is an essential ingredient for making ice cream, but there is a way to prepare it anyway, obtaining an equally delicious result. Moreover, some recipes do not require you to even have an ice cream maker and if you are vegan, don't worry, there is an option for you too.
Ingrediants
Ice Cream with Condensed Milk
- 400 ml of condensed milk, cold
- 475 ml of whole milk
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vanilla extract
Makes about 500 g of ice cream
Ice Cream with Coconut Milk
- 400 ml of pure, cold coconut milk
- 240 ml of almond milk
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) of granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
Makes about 500 g of ice cream
Ice Cream with Bananas
- 2-3 very ripe bananas, frozen
- 2-4 tablespoons (30-60 ml) of milk
- 1 pinch of salt
Doses for 1-2 portions of ice cream
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making Ice Cream with Condensed Milk
Step 1. Cool the ice cream bowl in the freezer
The time required to cool it depends on the type of ice cream maker. Read the instruction booklet to make sure you put the container in the freezer well in advance. Generally, it takes about 12 hours for it to cool down to perfection.
Using the ice cream maker you will get excellent ice cream even without using cream. If, on the other hand, you don't have an ice cream maker, adding cream is essential
Step 2. Mix the ingredients in a large bowl
For this recipe you will need 400 g of cold condensed milk, 475 ml of whole milk and two tablespoons of vanilla extract, which is equal to 30 ml. Mix the ingredients thoroughly with the whisk until you get a uniform mixture of color and texture.
If the condensed milk is sweetened, reduce the vanilla extract to two and a half teaspoons
Step 3. Work the mixture in the ice cream maker for 10-15 minutes
Read the instruction booklet to select the correct options before pouring the ingredients into the cold bowl. Turn on the ice cream maker and wait 10-15 minutes or until the ice cream is ready.
If you want, you can add flavorings or extra ingredients halfway through the ice cream making process, for example dark chocolate chips
Step 4. Put the ice cream in the freezer for 6-8 hours
Once ready, transfer it to an airtight container suitable for storing food in the freezer or a special ice cream bucket and freeze it for 6-8 hours.
Method 2 of 3: Make Ice Cream with Coconut Milk
Step 1. Open the can of coconut milk and separate the fat from the liquid
Take the package out of the refrigerator and open it without shaking it first. Take out the thick, fat part of the coconut milk using a spoon and place it in a bowl. Throw away the liquid part or save it for a different use.
- To prepare the ice cream it is important to use pure coconut milk obtained by pressing the pulp and not coconut water.
- Put the coconut milk in the refrigerator the night before making the ice cream.
Step 2. Add the almond milk, vanilla extract, sugar and salt
Pour the rest of the ingredients into the bowl with the coconut milk and then mix with a whisk to mix them. Keep stirring for a couple of minutes or until the sugar has dissolved completely.
Step 3. Transfer the mixture to a container suitable for storing food in the freezer
You can use a simple airtight food container, made of plastic or glass, or an aluminum bread pan. The mixture will turn into ice cream, so it is important to choose a container that is comfortable to use and store in the freezer.
Step 4. Freeze the mixture and stir it every half hour
Put the container in the freezer and then take it out every 30 minutes to mix the ice cream with the whisk. After 3-4 hours it should have reached the correct consistency.
- You can try freezing ice cream in the ice cream maker. Follow the instructions contained in the instruction booklet.
- The ice cream will be very hard when you take it out of the freezer. Keep it at room temperature for 5 minutes before transferring it to the cups.
Method 3 of 3: Making Ice Cream with Bananas
Step 1. Peel, slice and freeze bananas in advance
Choose 2 or 3 very ripe bananas, you can recognize them by the brown spots on the peel. Peel them, cut them into small pieces and then freeze them in a container or freezer bag.
You can roughly slice bananas. The purpose is simply to facilitate the work of the blender or food processor
Step 2. Transfer the ingredients to the blender or food processor
When the bananas are frozen, place them in the blender or food processor bowl and then add 2 to 4 tablespoons of a variety of milk of your choice and a pinch of salt.
- Depending on the amount of milk, you will get a more or less creamy ice cream.
- Whole milk is an excellent option, but you can also use plant-based milk, such as almond or coconut milk.
Step 3. Add extra ingredients if desired
This recipe is just a base, following it without making any changes you will get an ice cream with a delicate banana flavor; already like this it will taste delicious, but if you want you can add some other flavor to taste, for example:
- If you like chocolate ice cream, add 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder and a quarter of a teaspoon of vanilla extract;
- If you want to experience the taste of peanut butter ice cream, add 2 or 3 tablespoons to the rest of the ingredients;
- If you are a fan of "cookies" flavored ice cream, add 30 g of coconut butter and then chop some Ringo-type chocolate cookies to add when almost ready.
Step 4. Blend the ingredients
Keep blending until the mixture reaches the consistency of melted ice cream. It is likely that from time to time you will need to turn off the blender and remove the lid to push down the ingredients that are stuck to the walls with a silicone spatula.
If you want to make "cookies" flavored ice cream, add the chopped chocolate chip cookies when you have finished blending
Step 5. Put the ice cream in the freezer for 30 minutes
Transfer it to an airtight container suitable for storing food in the freezer or a special ice cream bucket and freeze it for half an hour or until it reaches the right consistency to form the balls.
Advice
- You can add liquid or powdered flavors, such as cocoa or vanilla extract, before blending the ingredients.
- You can also add solid ingredients, such as chocolate chips or pieces of biscuit or fruit, but only after blending the basic ones.
- Cover the ice cream with cling film before placing it in the freezer to prevent ice crystals from forming on the surface.
- If you are unsure about a recipe, reduce the doses and make only a small amount, then examine the result and possibly make changes, for example by adding less sugar.
