My better half got me an ice cream maker, which I’m stoked for. The only problem is I don’t know any recipes, and while I can easily get some online I’m wondering what have Dopers done with theirs?
I think it goes without saying that I’m going to make vanilla, chocolate, cookies and cream, etc, but what are some interesting takes on things? I found a recipe for white wine sorbet that seems interesting. Same with coffee-rum ice cream.
The Ben & Jerry’s recipe book is really worth the (modest) financial outlay.
You have to be careful with alcohol based ice creams. They often don’t set up well (because the alcohol lowers the freezing point). Something like white wine sorbet, with an alcoholic main ingredient, will not set up in a home ice cream maker – it isn’t cold enough. You’d be better off making a granita (pouring it 1/4" deep into a flat pan and stirring every 1/2 hour to break up the ice crystals) and even then expect it to be watery unless your freezer is uncommonly cold.
Well that’s rather disappointing to hear. Still though, thanks for the heads up-you really saved me a bunch of swearing at my maker for the alcoholic ice cream not coming out.
The freezing point of alcohol is -175 F, compared to 32F for milk – when you add alcohol you’re basically adding antifreeze.
Poking around on Chow, a few people agree that you can add 2.5 Tablespoons of high proof alcohol (vodka or similar) per quart without affecting the ability of the ice cream to freeze in a home freezer. More than that, and you encounter problems.
Some suggest that for more alcohol bang for buck, you soak cookies or fruit in the alcohol, and add them as add-ins at the end.
Actually, I would suggest that a liiittle bit of alcohol be added - it makes the ice cream a lot smoother. We add about 2 tablespoons or rum or vodka to every batch of creamy type ice creams, and it comes out better. Sorbets, on the other hand, don’t require the alcohol. At least, that works for our Kitchenaid ice cream maker attachment. (the kind that has a bowl you stick in the freezer overnight)
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001057277
This lime sherbet recipe works for me - very refreshing! BUT! Skip the salt, and up the sugar. Maybe 2 cups if you like it kinda sweet. When I tried the original recipe, it came out salty, and although the salty sherbet was strangly good, it’s not what you want out of your ice cream maker first thing.
1 part nutella
1 part evaporated milk
Just be sure to add the milk to the nutella slowly. It keeps out the lumps.
Also, be sure to chill your mixture as much as possible before putting it in your ice cream maker.