How to Make Homemade Ice Cream
Are you one of those who immediately think of ice cream to cool down when summer arrives? Whether it's the refreshing chill it brings, the quick solution to sweet cravings, or the nostalgic journey to childhood memories with every bite, ice cream is the favourite dessert for many. Would you like to try making this delightful treat at home?
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Chocolate Ice Cream
While there are many types of ice cream, if you are a fan of the classics, you should definitely try the chocolate ice cream recipe.
Ingredients
For a chocolate ice cream recipe that you can easily prepare at home, you will need the following ingredients: 2 cups of whole milk, 1 cup of cream, a little more than half a cup of sugar, half a cup of natural cocoa, melted dark chocolate, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Method
First, heat the milk, cream, and sugar in a saucepan, stirring slowly. Add the cocoa to the heated mixture and melt it, then add the melted chocolate before removing it from the stove. You can melt the chocolate using the bain-marie method. After removing the mixture from the heat, add the vanilla extract while it is still hot, stir, and put it in the fridge for a few hours to cool. Once cooled, pour the mixture into a deeper container and place it in the freezer, freezing it for about 4 hours while blending it every half hour. If you have an ice cream machine, you can transfer it from the fridge to the machine without this step.
Caramel Ice Cream
Caramel ice cream is a must for those who enjoy a more intense sweetness. Here’s a recipe for a delicious caramel ice cream.
Ingredients
To make caramel ice cream, gather these ingredients beforehand to save time: 1 cup of sugar, 2 cups of cream, 1 cup of whole milk, ½ cup of salted caramel sauce, 1 teaspoon of sea salt, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Method
Start by melting the sugar in a saucepan, stirring until it caramelises. Add the cream to this mixture and dissolve it in the hot caramel, then add the milk and salted caramel sauce. After removing the mixture from the stove, add the salt and vanilla extract and stir, then cool it in the refrigerator before freezing. The freezing process will take 4 hours, similar to the chocolate ice cream. You can buy the salted caramel sauce ready-made or make it yourself with ingredients you have at home: 1 cup of sugar, 6 tablespoons of butter, half a cup of cream, and a pinch of salt. Caramelise the sugar, mix it with the melted butter, add the cream and salt, boil for a minute or two, then remove from the stove to prepare the sauce.
Vanilla Ice Cream
Among the classics, vanilla ice cream is certainly one of the first recipes that comes to mind. This essential ice cream pairs beautifully with many desserts.
Ingredients
For homemade vanilla ice cream, you will need: 2 cups of milk, 1 cup of cream, a little more than half a cup of sugar, 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract, and a vanilla bean if you prefer.
Method
Heat the milk, cream, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, then add the vanilla extract and seeds from the pod. After heating, remove from the stove and cool in the refrigerator. Once cooled, turn the mixture into ice cream either through the 4-hour process or using an ice cream maker.
Fruit Ice Cream
Fruit ice cream is especially favoured by those who love the freshness of fruit, often foregoing chocolate or caramel varieties. If you love fruit ice cream, try making it with your favourite fruit.
Ingredients
For fruit ice cream, it’s important to have the fruit puréed. The primary ingredients are: 2 cups of milk, 1 cup of cream, about half a cup of sugar (adjusted to the fruit’s sweetness), a cup of puréed fruit, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Method
Heat the milk, cream, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Add lemon juice, fruit purée, and vanilla to this mixture. After heating, cool and freeze the mixture. For a textured ice cream, add frozen fruit pieces to the mixture after it has cooled.
Presentation Suggestions
There are various ways to present your homemade ice cream. The most standard presentation is a scoop on a plate. Alternatively, you can decorate it with fresh fruits and chocolate sauce. For a more indulgent treat, serve your ice cream sandwiched between two cookies or decorated with cookies and chocolate chips.
How Long Does Ice Cream Last?
Although homemade ice cream can last up to 3 weeks in the freezer, for the best flavour, it’s recommended to consume it within the first week.
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