We All Scream for Ice Cream!!!

Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream

For my birthday, or maybe even Christmas a few years ago, my Mudder got me an ice cream maker. I love making everything from scratch, EVERYTHING, I should get DIY tattooed somewhere. LOL. Anyway, I told myself I'd use the ice cream maker before the end of this summer, at least to try it out. And wouldn't you know it, I've become addicted to making it. So far I've made the basics; vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Overall the process is quite simple; using a basic custard recipe and flavoring as you wish.

The first flavor I made was strawberry (right), using fresh mashed strawberries. I was so impressed with myself. It was rich and creamy and the berries were just slightly frozen. I served it up with a souffle like dessert called Lemon Dream Dessert (left).




The following week I made vanilla (left). One thing I noticed about my homemade vanilla ice cream and typical store bought vanilla, was that mine came out significantly whiter. Most store bought has a yellowish tint to it, perhaps for using more eggs or maybe more vanilla. All I know is, I like mine much better.

 






I started to go a little crazy with the ice cream, because I found myself making another batch the next weekend. My Mudder kept begging me to ease up on the sweets, but I just told her that I would give it all away. Oh hell to the naw.! "Don't give it ALL away!" I knew she would change her mind once she tasted it. Hehehe (sinister laugh). This time Banana (right) and, boy, was it good.







I felt the need to make a little something to go with it. Banana Pudding crossed my mind, so I decided to play on that idea with the ice cream and make a vanilla waffer. I served the banana ice cream with an Almond Toffee Wafer (left) using a recipe I'd found amoungst my recipe cards.The wafers are suppose to be curved slightly, but I struggeled a little with the shaping of the cookie. I still think it looks divine.



More recently, my dad came to visit. For those of you who know me but may not know my background, my dad is Barton Davis. He has been in my life for over a decade, and I love him so very much. Anyway, my dad loves Double Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream. So for his visit I want to suprise him with a homemade version. Pictured at the very top is my version of chocolate brownie ice cream. I simply made a chocolate ice cream and some homemade brownies and mixed them together while the ice cream was sort of soft. My Mudder didn't want her portion mixed together. LOL One thing that I will definitely have to work on with the chocolate is the stiffness. I'm not sure if I should have used coca powder instead of baking chocolate or if I over worked the custard. I'll have to improve upon that, and let you know in a future post. Although, its not fesible nor health to make homemade ice cream on a regular basis, I will definitely keep this skill in my repertoire. I also plan to experiment with flavors and sorbets in the future so STAY TUNED!!!