You knew this post was coming…it was only a matter of time before I was ripping open the box of my new ice cream machine.  For my first batch, I decided to stick to a recipe that came in the manual – I figured they were tried and tested, and a good place to start before experimenting.  I was also pleased that many of the recipes in the manual actually didn’t call for eggs, which was an added bonus.

I decided that I was going to buy some better quality milk for this adventure, so I decided to pick up some Straus Family Creamery milk from Whole Foods.  I think I was just a sucker for the glass bottles the milk came in.

I chose to make a chocolate ice cream and used the following recipe:

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• pinch salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 tbsp pure vanilla extract

Mix all of the ingredients together with a whisk and allow the mixture to sit in the refrigerator for about 6 hours (the recipe recommended at least 2 hours or overnight).

I then pulled the mixing bowl out of my freezer and poured it into the ice cream machine – twenty minutes later, I had a delicious batch of ice cream, which I then transferred into an airtight container to store in the freezer.  I’m sold – it is so convenient and quick to make ice cream.  With minimal planning, I’d rather do this then run to the store to find a brand that has been altered with filler ingredients and preservatives.  The only lesson learned from this experiment was to leave it in the freezer for a little while longer after it is done churning – the batch I made melted very quickly while I was serving it.

I can’t wait to try out new recipes.  The first one that comes to mind is converting my favourite tea into an ice cream – earl grey with a bit of vanilla.  Hmmm…I have some leftover milk in the refrigerator – might be a fun experiment to try out this week!  Other options on my list include mint and chocolate chip ice cream, strawberry frozen yogurt, raspberry sorbet – I also want to try some non-dairy options, which will require a bit of research.  Oh my, I better go head to the gym after work!