The Secret to Making Authentic Ice Cream at Home Without an Ice Cream Maker
When it comes to kitchen appliances, most of us prioritize versatility over single-function gadgets. That’s why a food processor often takes center stage, while an ice cream maker collects dust in the corner. But what if you could use your trusty processor to whip up creamy, traditional ice cream without sacrificing precious kitchen real estate?
The Real Deal vs. “Nice Cream”
We’re not talking about “nice cream” made from frozen bananas here. Sometimes, we crave the authentic taste and texture of classic ice cream, made with cream, eggs, and sugar. Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, shares a simple recipe to make traditional ice cream at home without an ice cream maker.
How to Make Ice Cream in a Food Processor
- Make the Custard: Follow a basic recipe to create the custard base, without flavorings or mix-ins.
- Freeze and Crumble: Pour the custard into a zip-top bag, press out the air, and freeze completely. Then, crumble the frozen custard into your food processor.
- Process and Mix: Process the custard until smooth, then stir in your desired flavorings and mix-ins.
- Store and Enjoy: Scrape the ice cream into a storage container and place it back in the freezer.
The Importance of Air
Churning air into your ice cream as it freezes is crucial to avoid large ice crystals and achieve a creamy texture. By processing the frozen custard, you’re incorporating air and creating a smooth, gelato-like consistency.
Homemade Ice Cream Recipes to Try
This summer, experiment with these unique flavors using your food processor:
- Strawberry Cheesecake: Combine spiced cookie butter and strawberry ice cream for a cheesecake-inspired treat.
- Mixed Berry Sherbet: Blend frozen raspberries and blackberries with whole milk for a creamy, egg-less dessert.
- Toasted Sesame Seed and Honey Gelato: Pair sesame seeds and honey for a crunchy, sweet snack-turned-ice cream.
- Graham Cracker Malted Vanilla: Add malt powder and crumbled graham crackers to vanilla ice cream for a toasted twist.
- Saffron Ice Cream: Dissolve saffron threads in rose water for a Persian-inspired ice cream, topped with crushed pistachios.
- Thai Vegan Coconut Ice Cream: Combine shredded coconut and coconut cream for a chewy, tropical treat.
- Grasshopper Ice Cream: Blend mint extract, chocolate chips, and chopped brownies for a nostalgic mint chocolate chip ice cream.
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