Think making homemade ice cream is too complicated? Think again! Forget the store-bought stuff and those pricey artisanal pints—making your own ice cream can be a game-changer. With a few simple hacks, you can create the creamiest, dreamiest ice cream right in your own kitchen.
Use Full-Fat Dairy
For the creamiest texture, always use full-fat milk and cream. Low-fat options can make your ice cream icy and less rich. Full-fat dairy gives that smooth, indulgent feel.
Chill Your Ingredients
Make sure all your ingredients are well-chilled before starting. Cold ingredients help the mixture freeze faster, preventing the formation of large ice crystals and ensuring a smoother texture.
Pre-freeze Your Ice Cream Bowl
If you’re using an ice cream maker, pre-freeze the bowl for at least 24 hours. This ensures the mixture freezes quickly and evenly, resulting in a better consistency.
Add a Splash of Alcohol
Adding a small amount of alcohol, like vodka or rum, keeps your ice cream from freezing too hard. It lowers the freezing point, making the ice cream easier to scoop straight from the freezer.
Use Corn Syrup or Honey
Replace some of the sugar with corn syrup or honey. These ingredients help prevent ice crystals from forming, keeping your ice cream smooth and creamy, with a better texture.
Mix in a Little Gelatin
Dissolving a small amount of gelatin into your ice cream base improves texture by preventing ice crystals and giving the ice cream a smoother, richer mouthfeel.
Don’t Overmix
When using an ice cream maker, don’t overmix the base. Overmixing can incorporate too much air, leading to a grainy texture. Stop churning once the mixture thickens to maintain a creamy texture.
Fold in Mix-Ins Gently
If you’re adding mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit, fold them in gently after churning. This helps maintain a smooth texture and evenly distributes the goodies throughout the ice cream.
Use a Water Bath to Cool the Base
After heating your ice cream base, cool it quickly by placing the saucepan in a larger bowl of ice water. This helps bring the temperature down fast, reducing the risk of bacteria and improving texture.
Store Properly
To prevent ice crystals, store your ice cream in an airtight container with a layer of plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface. This keeps out air and maintains creaminess.
11 Ice Cream Flavors That Should Have Never Been Made
Ice cream usually hits the spot, but some flavors out there miss the mark by a long shot. While creativity in the kitchen can lead to some delicious discoveries, it seems like the taste testers for these flavors were out to lunch. Here are 11 ice cream flavors that probably should have stayed as just weird ideas.
Read it Here: 11 Ice Cream Flavors That Should Have Never Been Made
22 Crazy Homemade Ice Cream Flavors Your Local Shop Can’t Compete With
Summer’s here, and that means it’s ice cream season! Remember those trips to the ice cream shop, excited to see what wild flavors they had? Now you can bring that adventure home with these unusual ice cream recipes you can make yourself. You’ll easily impress your friends and family with some truly unique and fun flavors that’ll make your summer extra special.
Read it Here: 22 Crazy Homemade Ice Cream Flavors Your Local Shop Can’t Compete With
*Select images provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
