Have you ever wondered if there is a way to prepare ice cream without too much effort? Thanks to these easy-to-make recipes at home, just a few simple ingredients will be enough for most flavors and you won't even need an ice cream maker! Once you have mastered the basic rules, you can experiment and invent new personalized flavors.
Ingrediants
Simple ice cream
- 475 ml of whole milk
- 475 ml of fresh full cream
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 115-170 g of white granulated sugar
- 120-180ml flavorings, e.g. chocolate syrup, caramel or peanut butter (optional)
- 130-175 g of sweet decorations, e.g. chocolate chips or crumbled cookies (optional)
Rich and creamy ice cream
- 475 ml of fresh full cream
- 400 ml of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Sweet decorations, for example chocolate chips or small marshmallows (optional)
Banana ice-cream
- 4-5 bananas, previously peeled and frozen
- Vanilla or mint extract (optional)
- 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder (optional)
- A handful of dark chocolate or strawberry chips (optional)
Creamy Coconut Ice Cream
- 820 ml of coconut milk
- 115-175 g of honey or agave syrup
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Making a Simple Ice Cream
Step 1. Pour the milk, cream, sugar and vanilla extract into the blender glass
If you intend to add other liquid ingredients, such as chocolate syrup, do so now.
Also add flavorings, such as peanut butter
Step 2. Blend the ingredients to get a smooth, even blend
Before continuing, check that they are really well blended.
Step 3. Add any extra ingredients
This is the time to incorporate a few more treats, such as chocolate chips, crumbled cookies or even strawberries cut into small pieces. Turn on the blender for a couple of short intervals to distribute the new ingredients evenly.
If you have chosen to add fruit, you can also blend it into a puree
Step 4. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container
Cover it with a lid or cling film to prevent any ice crystals from falling into the ice cream.
Step 5. Leave the future ice cream in the freezer for 6-8 hours
If you want it to have an airy and light texture, mix it about every hour.
Step 6. Once ready, make the scoops with the ice cream scoop and return the remaining one to the freezer
Storing it in the freezer will last about two weeks.
Method 2 of 4: Make a Rich and Creamy Ice Cream
Step 1. Whip the cream for about 3-4 minutes
Pour it into the mixer and whip it at high speed until it becomes thick and creamy. Once ready it will be the base for your ice cream.
If you don't have a professional food processor, you can use a normal electric whisk
Step 2. Blend the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract in a large bowl
Consider that it must be large enough to contain the whipped cream as well.
Step 3. Incorporate the whipped cream into the condensed milk and vanilla mixture using a spatula
Gently mix the mixture from bottom to top until you get a smooth cream.
Step 4. Decide whether to add some extra treats
Also in this case incorporate the ingredients by gently mixing with the spatula from the bottom up. Do not mix too long or you will end up "disassembling" the cream. Here is a list of delicious suggestions:
- To make mint chocolate ice cream, add a few drops of mint extract and a handful of mini chocolate chips.
- To make the S'more ice cream, add some mini marshmallows, some crumbled graham crackers and a few pieces of chocolate.
- To make cookies and cream flavored ice cream, add 8 crumbled Oreo cookies (or similar filled cookies).
Step 5. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and cover it with aluminum foil
The foil will keep the ice cream soft and prevent ice crystals from forming on the surface.
If you prefer, you can pour the mixture into individual bowls, to be served directly to guests as soon as the ice cream is ready
Step 6. Put the ice cream in the freezer and wait 4-6 hours
As soon as it's ready, you can make the balls with the ice cream scoop. Before eating it, remember to put the remaining one back in the freezer.
Method 3 of 4: Make Banana Ice Cream
Step 1. The day before making the ice cream, peel 4-5 bananas and put them in the freezer
Keep in mind that the riper they are, the better the ice cream will be.
Step 2. Cut the bananas into small pieces and put them in the blender
You will need to cut them into slices no wider than 1 1/2 cm, otherwise they may not be picked up by the blades or risk blocking them.
Step 3. Blend them for 40-60 seconds or as long as it takes to obtain a thick and homogeneous cream
Don't go on too long or the bananas will start to thaw.
Step 4. Decide whether to add a few more treats and blend for another 10-15 seconds
At this point the ice cream is ready to be eaten, but you can make it even tastier by adding extra ingredients, such as chocolate chips. Here are some inviting proposals you can take inspiration from:
- If you like the mint and chocolate flavor, add a few drops of mint extract and a handful of dark chocolate chips.
- To make chocolate ice cream, just add 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
- For the strawberry flavor, add a handful of chopped strawberries.
Step 5. Serve the ice cream immediately or place it in the freezer to eat later
Shape the balls with an ice cream scoop and place them in small bowls. If you intend to eat it later, transfer the ice cream to a container suitable for the freezer and freeze it immediately. It will last about two days, but remember that being made with bananas it will tend to oxidize becoming darker as the hours go by.
Method 4 of 4: Make a Creamy Coconut Ice Cream
Step 1. Blend the ingredients in the blender to blend them
It should take about 30 seconds. If you prefer, you can also mix them manually with a whisk after pouring them into a bowl.
Step 2. Once ready, pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and cool it as directed by the instruction manual
Each ice cream maker works a little differently, so be sure to follow the directions for your specific model.
If you don't have an ice cream maker, simply transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container and place it in the freezer for 6-8 hours. Remember to mix it every hour. With this method you will obtain an excellent ice cream, but less creamy than the one prepared with the ice cream maker
Step 3. Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe container and place it in the freezer for at least an hour
It would be better to have a little more patience and wait 4-6 hours, to give the aromas time to blend and enjoy a more full-bodied and dense ice cream.
If you don't use the ice cream maker, you don't need to put the ice cream back in the freezer, you can eat it right away
Step 4. Serve it into balls with an ice cream scoop and return the rest to the freezer
If it's too hard, leave it at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. By storing it in the freezer, the ice cream will last 1-2 weeks.
Advice
- If you want to make mint flavored ice cream, add a few drops of green food coloring as well.
- You can decorate the sundae with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, colored sprinkles and a maraschino cherry.
- Experiment with adding a few more treats each time, such as chocolate chips, smarties, or chopped nuts.
- The simple ice cream recipe is perfect for introducing the little ones to the world of cooking.
- If the ice cream seems too sweet, add a pinch of salt before putting it in the freezer. The flavor will balance the sweetness.
