Are you craving creamy, dreamy ice cream but don't have heavy cream on hand? Or maybe you're looking for a lighter, healthier alternative? This recipe proves you don't need heavy cream to make delicious homemade ice cream! This easy recipe is perfect for a hot summer's day, a quick dessert, or a fun family activity. Get ready to indulge in a guilt-free treat that's surprisingly simple to make.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs yolks
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (canned, not light)
Instructions:
Get Started:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Don't let it boil!
Make the Custard:
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until light and frothy.
- Slowly pour about 1 cup of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper the eggs. This prevents them from scrambling.
- Pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a spatula, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon. This will take about 5-7 minutes. Do not let it boil!
Chill and Blend:
- Remove the custard from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and coconut milk.
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to remove any lumps.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
Freeze for Creamy Goodness:
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Once chilled, pour the custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes.
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Once churned, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 2-3 hours to allow it to harden further.
Tips for Ice Cream Success:
- Use good quality ingredients: The better your ingredients, the better your ice cream will taste.
- Don't overcook the custard: Overcooking can lead to a grainy texture.
- Chill thoroughly: Chilling the custard properly is crucial for a smooth, creamy texture.
- Use an ice cream maker: While you can try to freeze this mixture without an ice cream maker, the texture will be quite different and likely icy.
Variations:
- Chocolate Ice Cream: Add 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the custard base.
- Strawberry Ice Cream: Puree 1 cup of fresh strawberries and add them to the custard base after it's cooled.
- Coffee Ice Cream: Add 1/4 cup of strong brewed coffee to the custard base.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary based on serving size. For a rough estimate, one serving (assuming 6 servings) contains approximately:
- Calories: 250-300
- Fat: 15-20g
- Protein: 4-5g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35g
This no-heavy cream ice cream recipe is a delicious and surprisingly easy way to enjoy a homemade treat. It's a perfect example of how healthy and delicious meals can be created with simple, readily available ingredients. Enjoy this quick dinner dessert – or anytime snack! Let me know in the comments how yours turns out!