04 August 2020

Beat the heat with homemade ice cream recipes to cool off your summer days. Follow these five, kid-friendly steps for your frozen treat – and no worries, baking skills are not required

2:00 Min

1 The ice cream base

Getting a deliciously creamy and smooth ice cream starts with a good base. A traditional ice cream base consists of simple ingredients: 1¾ cups of cream, 1¼ cup whole milk, ¾ cup sugar, ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Combine all the ingredients and stir rapidly until the sugar has completely dissolved. For the perfect base, use high fat milk products, such as heavy cream or whole milk. To make dairy free or vegan ice cream, choose coconut milk, which has a richer and creamier texture compared to almond or soymilk. 

2 Swirl in your favourite flavours

There are two ways to do this: the first option is to add toppings to a vanilla-based mixture while the ice cream is still in the process of making. Add in ingredients such as chocolate chips, peanut butter brittle or cookie crumble, along with flavoured syrups and sauces. The second method is by adding ingredients to the mixture after the ice cream is ready using a spatula to fold in more fragile toppings, such as fresh berries and fruit. This latter technique also allows for  more customisation, letting family members choose and mix in their own personal flavours.

3 With or without an ice-cream maker?

Ice cream machines definitely make the process easier. However, if you do not have an ice cream maker at home, fear not! Just pour the ice cream mixture into a chilled, shallow container made of glass or metal. Place the container in the coldest part of your freezer. For the next three hours, check and stir the ice cream every 30 minutes, mixing and churning the base by hand or with an electric mixer to achieve a creamy and smooth consistency.

4 Cone or cup?

Or both! Everyone loves their ice cream in their own way, so it is a great idea to have both options available. Take it a step further and offer chocolate dipped or waffle cones. 

5 Decorations and toppings

Once the ice cream is ready, set out a buffet of different toppings with corresponding labels. Place your sauces and flavoured syrups first, followed by a display of  sweet toppings such as chocolate chips, colourful sprinkles, caramel bites, jellybeans and marshmallows. Go nuts with bowls of peanuts, pecans, pistachios and almonds. Add in something fresh such as fresh berries, cherries, banana or shredded coconut. Lastly, finish off with a fun swizzle of whipped cream. Enjoy!