Ice Cream

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Here are six yummy ice cream recipes to help you through the day, including Chocolate Tofu Ice Cream and Candy Corn Ice Cream. Enjoy!

HOMEMADE ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM

This comes from the almost-infamous long-since-forgotten-email-list. While I don’t remember who sent this to the list, but whoever sent it in wrote, “I love this ice cream, very creamy and I'd say it tastes better than store bought. Hope you like it as much as we do!!” Time: 45 min; 5 min prep; serves 10 - 12

2 cups 2% low-fat milk

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows (or if you REALLY like them you can use half a bag like I do!)

2/3 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

Mix all ingredients together in cylinder of ice cream maker; freeze according to manufacturers directions.

Allow to set in freezer for 2 – 4 hours.

CANDY CORN ICE CREAM

This is from Lindsay Funston on Delish. Lindsay’s recipes look incredibly yummy!

This recipe begins, “This is going to change whatever you feel about candy corn. Trust.”

Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 10 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 C heavy cream

1 14- oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2-4 drops each red, yellow, and orange food coloring

10 plastic dessert cups

10 candy corns, for decorating

Directions

In a large bowl using a hand mixer or whisk, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until completely combined.

Separate mixture evenly into three separate bowls.

In one bowl, add 2 drops each red and yellow food coloring to form your orange ice cream layer. (Continue to play with the color until you’re happy with the shade.) In another bowl, add 2 more drops yellow food coloring to form your yellow ice cream layer and stir until combined. (Continue to play with the color until you’re happy with the shade.)

Among 8 to 10 plastic dessert cups, layer white, yellow, and orange ice cream colors. Top with candy corn and freeze until firm, 5 hours. (If you don’t wish to make individual cups, you can also layer colors in a 9-x-5” loaf pan and garnish with candy corn.)

When ready to serve, remove ice cream from freezer 10 minutes to soften.

NO-CHURN PUMPKIN PIE ICE CREAM

This also comes from Lindsay Funston on Delish. This one begins, “Get your pumpkin on while it's still warm out.”

Total Time: 4 hours, 10 minutes; Prep: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 C heavy cream

1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 C canned pumpkin

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 C crushed ginger snaps

Directions

Using a stand mixer, whip cream until stiff peaks form.

Stir in sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice and fold until thoroughly mixed and not streaky. Stir in vanilla extract and ginger snaps.

Pour mixture into a loaf pan and freeze until firm, 4 hours.

VEGAN ROASTED BANANA ICE CREAM

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “A combination of coconut milk, homemade cashew milk and cocoa butter gives this dairy-free ice cream its particularly luscious, creamy texture. Ripe bananas, roasted with brown sugar and coconut oil until caramelized and golden, add a deep butterscotch-like note. You’ll need to start this at least one day before you plan to serve it. Or make it up to a week ahead. Chopped bittersweet chocolate makes a fine substitute for the walnuts, or use 1/3 cup of each.” Time: 1 1/2 hours, plus chilling; makes about 1 1/2 quarts.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups raw, unsalted cashews

4 medium bananas, preferably somewhat speckled but not brown, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices

6 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin coconut oil

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup cocoa butter, available at baking supply stores and online

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons coconut milk

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)

Preparation

To make the cashew milk, place the cashews in a large bowl and add water to cover by a couple of inches. Soak cashews overnight.

In the morning, drain the cashews and place them in a blender with about 1 3/4 cups fresh water. Blend until smooth. If you use a Vitamix, there will be no need to strain – the milk will be perfectly smooth; for other blenders, check the consistency and, if necessary, strain the cashew milk through a fine-mesh strainer. Cashew milk will keep well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 4 days.

To roast the bananas, heat the oven to 400 degrees with a rack in the middle. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, toss the bananas, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, brown sugar and pinch of salt. Spread on prepared baking sheet and bake until caramelized, about 15 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

Put 1/4 cup water into a small saucepan over medium to low heat. Add sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until sugar has dissolved. Add cocoa butter, remaining 4 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons coconut oil and remaining salt. Stir until melted.

Pour the sugar mixture into in a food processor (or use a tall 2-quart container and an immersion blender), and add the coconut milk and 1 cup cashew milk. Blend until smooth. Add roasted bananas and blend again to combine until very smooth. Cover and refrigerate the ice cream base until chilled, 1 to 2 hours.

Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In the last minute of churning, add toasted walnuts, if desired, and churn until incorporated. Transfer the ice cream to a storage container and freeze up to 7 days. Alternatively, you can serve it immediately. It will be the consistency of soft-serve.

CHOCOLATE TOFU ICE CREAM

This comes from the August 2000 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “You’’d never guess that this rich, dense, fudgy ice cream contains considerably less fat than the classic version.” Makes 5 cups.

To view this online, click here.

1 lb. soft tofu, drained

1 cup sugar

1 cup plain soy milk

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbs. vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

In blender, puree all ingredients in 2 equal batches until very smooth.

Pour mixture into ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve right away or transfer to airtight container and freeze up to 3 days.

nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 126; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Sodium: 25 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Vegan

CREAMY STRAWBERRY BASIL POPS [VEGAN]

This comes from One Green Planet, and begins, “Enjoy the longer, warmer days outdoors with a popsicle in hand to help keep you cool. Fresh, sweet strawberries and cool basil make up these delicious frozen treats. If you have a farmer's market nearby, you could probably find everything you need to make them, sans the coconut yogurt.” The recipe doesn’t say how many pops this makes, though I’m sure you could double this.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 cup strawberries

1 small bunch of basil leaves (3-5 leaves)

1/2 cup coconut yogurt

3 tablespoons maple syrup

Popsicle sticks

Preparation

Place your strawberries and basil in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Mix your 1/2 cup coconut yogurt and maple syrup together in a separate bowl.

Take your popsicle mold and begin to layer the strawberry puree and the yogurt (add a spoon of strawberry, and then a spoon of coconut yogurt, repeat.)

Insert your popsicle sticks into the pops, and place in the freezer to set for 3-4 hours.