Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

Cold, creamy ice cream is a must for surviving the summer heat! This summer, skip the long lines at an ice-cream ship and get your fix right at home. Break out your ice-cream maker and churn up a batch of homemade ice cream in your favorite flavor. With some simple ingredients you can make some delicious chocolate, vanilla, fruity flavors, or all of the above for your next summer party. Try our favorite homemade flavors on the list below. 

Cookies and cream: This flavor is a classic. All you’ll need is a cup of whole milk, ¾ cup granulated sugar, 2 cups cold heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a good amount of sandwich cookies. The trick is in the cookies. Be sure to crush them to a fine consistency. This will ensure every bite is filled with cookie-goodness! 

Blueberry lemon zest: If you love creamy, fruity flavors with a zing, you’ll love this flavor! You’ll need 2 cups chopped blueberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 1 can condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ⅛ teaspoon table salt and 2 teaspoons lemon zest. Blueberry and lemon compliment each other well, and the blue and yellow swirl will brighten up any dessert table. 

Bourbon-butter-salted pecan: This modern take on classic butter-pecan is delicious! You’ll need 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, 2 cups whole milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/8 teaspoon table salt, 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans, 1/2 tablespoon butter, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 2 tablespoons bourbon. You won’t be able to resist this salty sweet combination. Adding just a hint of bourbon brings out the smoky sweetness of summer time in the south. 

Key lime pie: You’ll feel like you’re in the Florida Keys, enjoying the white sandy beaches with every bite of this recipe. 1/2 cup granular sweetener for ice cream, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk, 1 cup half-and-half, 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon Key lime zest, 1/3 cup Key lime juice and 1/2 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers.  Key lime juice, zest, and graham cracker crumbs make this ice cream taste just like the real deal!

Banana coconut: This tropical flavor will make you think you’re visiting a tropical island. You’ll need 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut, 1 cup sugar, 6 egg yolks, 4 cups milk, 2 cups half-and-half, 1 can cream of coconut, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 3 ripe bananas, mashed and toasted sweetened flaked coconut for garnish. For the boldest flavor, be sure to use ripe bananas. Then, sprinkle on a little toasted, sweetened flaked coconut for a garnish and you will get a nice bit of crunch in every mouthful.

These delicious flavors will get your summer off to the right start. For an even fresher homemade recipe, try growing some of your own ingredients or shopping for ingredients at a local farmers market.