Everyone loves ice cream and chocolate is one of the top choices. Making your own ice cream is fun and easy, and you get to personalize it by adding some wonderful treats.
Old Fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream
This recipe requires the use of an ice cream maker. The type of machine you use is up to you. This is a very smooth and rich ice cream with lots of flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 6 egg yolks
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
Instructions
- Combine the sweetened condensed milk, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, and cream in a large heavy saucepan.
- Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly with a wire whisk.
- Put the egg yolks in a medium bowl and beat until combined.
- Remove 1/2 cup of the simmering milk mixture from the saucepan and gradually beat into the egg yolks.
- Return the egg yolk mixture to the pan with the rest of the milk mixture and simmer for 4 minutes, whisking constantly.
- Put the chopped chocolate into a large bowl. Slowly pour the hot milk and egg mixture over the chocolate, whisking until the chocolate melts.
- Stir in the vanilla.
- Strain the mixture into a large bowl. Chill this mixture, whisking occasionally, until it is completely cold.
- Pour the ice cream mixture into your machine and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Yields 1-1/2 quarts; 12 1/2-cup servings
Easy Chocolate Ice Cream
You can make ice cream without a machine. Since the purpose of the machine is to add air to the mixture, you can mimic this step by whipping the cream before you add it to the remaining ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 2/3 cup chocolate hazelnut spread
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, chocolate hazelnut spread, and vanilla and mix well until combined.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream with the powdered sugar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- Carefully fold the whipped cream mixture into the sweetened condensed milk mixture.
- Pour the mixture into two 1-quart freezer containers. Cover the surface with parchment paper and securely cover the containers.
- Freeze the ice cream for 8 hours or overnight.
Yields 2 quarts; 16 servings
Variations and Tips
Sweetened condensed milk is the secret ingredient in these recipes. It adds a smoothness and richness of flavor to the ice cream you just can't get from ordinary milk. Other tips for making a delicious ice cream include:
- When you use an ice cream machine, check it now and then to make sure the ice cream is freezing evenly. You may need to remove the paddle, scrape off the ice cream, and stir with a spoon occasionally. Be sure to turn it off first.
- You can add any kind of delicious treats to this ice cream. When the ice cream is mostly frozen, add 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped candy bars, marshmallows, toasted nuts, chopped cherries or strawberries, chocolate chips, or chopped cookies to your homemade ice cream. The ice cream maker instruction booklet will have more detailed instructions about when to add these ingredients.
- Use your ice cream to make ice cream sandwiches or ice cream cake, put it into cones, or just enjoy it in a bowl.
Have Fun Making Your Ice Cream
Have your kids help make ice cream. This is a great project for a warm summer day. Just follow the instructions and you will be enjoying a sweet frozen treat before you know it.
