Ice Cream
While using an electric or hand-cranked ice cream maker will get you to your sweet reward a little easier, it’s not a necessity. Here’s how to make do without one: (Nutrition info for maple bourbon w/out bacon)
Servings
16servings
Servings
16servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, sugar, egg yolks, and salt. Place pan over medium-high heat and whisk until mixture reaches a simmer. Lower heat to medium and whisk for 5 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken. Strain mixture into a large bowl, then whisk in half-and- half, cream, and vanilla. (and bourbon and maple syrup for maple bourbon ice cream) Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
  2. Meanwhile, freeze an empty freezer-safe shallow bowl or pan. Stainless steel works well for this. Place the cold mixture into the cold pan.
  3. Chill for about 20 minutes and check your ice cream. As the edges start to freeze, stir the mixture rapidly with a whisk or spatula to break up the partially frozen ice cream. This will help make it smooth and creamy. You cannot over-beat. Return to the freezer.
  4. Stir ice cream vigorously every 30 minutes until it is firmly frozen. This may be repeated 4 to 5 times until mixture is smooth and creamy. If ice cream becomes too hard, place it into the refrigerator until it becomes soft enough to beat and continue the process.
  5. Ripen the ice cream by storing it in a covered freezer container until ready to serve.
Recipe Notes

Chocolate Ice Cream Variation: After straining mixture in step 1, add 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips and stir until melted and fully incorporated. Continue with recipe.

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Variation: In step 1, substitute 1 teaspoon peppermint extract for 1 teaspoon vanilla. Once ice cream’s made, stir in 2 cups mini chocolate chips.

Peanut Butter Ice Cream Variation: After straining mixture in step 1, add 1 cup smooth peanut butter and stir until fully incorporated. Continue with recipe.

Maple Bourbon with Candied Bacon: After straining mixture in step 1, add 1 1/2 C maple syrup, 1/4 tsp. sea salt, and 4 Tbsp bourbon.  Stir until fully incorporated. Continue with recipe.  Add 4-5 strips of bacon or candied bacon, finely chopped, during the last mixing session. (Or have some to sprinkle on top)

**Chocolate Cherry Cordial:  (Haven’t tested yet!!)  After straining mixture in step 1, add 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 4 Tbsp (booze, lots of options, maybe cherry flavor?), maybe substitute cherry extract for vanilla? Serve with maraschino cherries.  (If extract doesn’t work, add ~5oz. of chopped cherries)

You can substitute 3/4 C milk and 1/4 C heavy cream in place of half and half