ice cream maker – Feasting Is Fun

Amaretto Creamy Ice Cream

Winter and ice cream. Can they really hold hands and be friends during the coldest months? I say absolutely! My Amaretto Creamy Ice Cream scooped into a bowl and topped with hot, toasted, flaked almonds is perfect any day of the year. Ice cream is for every season, we just have to get creative!

The Benefits Of Adding Almond Liqueur

Amaretto is an Italian Almond Liqueur. It’s flavour is of warm, toasted almonds which, when sipped, produces a warming feeling throughout the body. Add it to ice cream and two different things happen. First of all, due to the alcohol content, this ice cream does not need to wait around, warming up before it can be scooped. Furthermore, the ice cream becomes dreamily creamy. Creating a dessert that stands alone on its own merits, the toasted flaked almonds adding a crunchy texture to the smoothness of the ice cream.

Frozen dessert scooped into a glass mug served on a white plate with a silver spoon. — Amaretto Creamy Ice Cream, 2 scoops into a glass mug.

Two Dessert Options

However, the Italians have a wonderful dessert called Affogato. A scoop or two of ice cream, drowned in a shot of hot, intense, espresso . The coffee drowns the ice cream. The resulting effect being a meeting of ice cold, ice cream and scalding hot coffee. If you love coffee, then this is an incredibly stylish way to end a meal.

Affogato dessert made using Amaretto Creamy Ice Cream and freshly brewed coffee, served in a glass mug. — Amaretto Creamy Ice Cream with fresh, hot coffee poured over, creating Affogato.

The combination of opposites; hot and cold, sweet and bitter, dessert and drink, create an exciting, enticing, taste experience. Most of all, that tastebud sensation is completely homemade. Because the dessert is created from scratch, the control of flavours is in your hands.

Almond liqueur bottle alongside a bowl of frozen dessert made use the liqueur. — Amaretto Creamy Ice Cream topped with toasted, flaked almonds.

Recipe: Amaretto Creamy Ice Cream makes 750ml

300ml/ 1/2 pint Double Cream

300ml/ 1/2 pint Whole Milk

1tsp Vanilla Bean Extract I use Nielsen-Massey

4 Large Free Range Egg Yolks

5tbsp Caster Sugar

1tsp Corn Flour I use Doves Farm as it is 100% gluten free

5tbsp Amaretto Liqueur

Method:

Most importantly, ensure the freezing compartment of the ice cream machine has been in the freezer overnight, or as per manufacturer’s instructions.

For step by step photographs, showing the making of an ice cream base, please see Very Vanilla Ice Cream.

Making The Amaretto Ice Cream Base

First of all, pour both the cream and milk into a large, heavy based saucepan and place over a medium heat. Allow to heat until small bubbles form around the rim of the saucepan – this is known as the scalding point. Once reached, remove the saucepan from the heat.
While the milk/cream mixture is heating, add the egg yolks, sugar, corn flour and vanilla bean extract to a large, heatproof bowl. Whisk until pale and frothy.
As soon as the eggs are mixed and the milk/cream have reached scalding point, continue with the following:
With the whisk still on slow, gradually pour the hot milk mixture into the bowl containing the egg mixture. Keep pouring until all of the hot, creamy liquid is mixed in.
Next pour the contents of the bowl back into the saucepan and place over a low heat. Keep stirring to ensure the custard base does not catch. Continue heating until the custard has thickened and coats the back of a wooden spoon.
Remove the saucepan from the heat.
Place a sieve over a large heatproof bowl and pour the custard base through.
Also, to ensure a skin does not form on top of the custard, place cling film on to the custard. So that it is in direct contact.
Set the bowl aside to cool and then place in the fridge to chill thoroughly.
When the custard has fully chilled remove from the fridge. Now is the time to add the Amaretto Liqueur. Stir to mix.

Smooth Ice Cream Is The Result Of Being Churned

Set up the ice cream machine as per manufacturer’s instructions.
With the machine turned on, pour the deliciously scented custard base into the churning bowl.
Continue churning until the ice cream has a thick consistency.
Stop the machine and remove the lid and paddle. Scrape the ice cream from the paddle into a suitable freezer proof, airtight container. Then, using a silicone spatula, decant the rest of the ice cream into the container. Wipe away any splashes, clip on the lid, label and finally place the container into the freezer to finish freezing.

To serve, remove the ice cream from the freezer and scoop straight away. Since the ice cream contains a good slug of alcohol, which freezes at a much lower temperature, it is ready to serve immediately.

Affogato Italian Dessert. — Affogato, using Amaretto Creamy Ice Cream. One scoop or two?

To create an Amaretto Affogato, simply scoop one or two balls of ice cream into a heatproof glass. Immediately pour over a steaming, hot shot of espresso and serve.

Please make sure any dinner guests who are driving have an alternative. My Very Vanilla Ice Cream works very well in an Affogato. Likewise if you want the almond flavour, without the alcohol, you could add 2 teaspoons of good quality almond extract, instead of the Amaretto. The ice cream will need to sit for 20 minutes once removed from the freezer to soften.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Amaretto Creamy Ice Cream you may also like these:

Chocolate Orange Ice Cream

FF Amaretto Creamy Ice Cream — Chocolate Orange Ice Cream

Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream

Lemon Ripple Ice Cream

Investing in an ice cream machine, need not only be for the warmer summer months. Cold ice cream melting over a warm Chocolate Fudge Brownie is my idea of comfort food heaven. I love the taste sensation of hot and cold together.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream

Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream. Silky, chocolate ice cream packed full of chocolate/caramel Rolos.

The idea for this recipe came from my friend and amazing fellow blogger Jane from Jane’s Patisserie. While creating the most wonderful recipes, she also has just got a new puppy called Rolo. So you see I had to create something to celebrate the new puppy Rolo coming home. Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream seemed the perfect solution.

This Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream recipe is so versatile. Once you have made the chocolate ice cream base you can add whatever you like. I rather like the idea of a Mars Bar version, with big chunks swirled through the ice cream.

I am loving my Andrew James Which Best Buy Ice Cream Maker. In fact I now have a second bowl, which I can pop in the freezer. This means I can either make one big double batch of the same ice cream or split it into two different flavours.

Making ice cream at home is easy, inexpensive, you have control over what goes in AND you are only limited by your imagination as to how many flavours you come up with! Someone asked me today why they’d never had Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream before, my answer was I’d only just invented it!!

Recipe: Makes 750ml Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream

300ml Double Cream

300ml Whole or Semi Skimmed Milk

4 Large Free Range Egg Yolks – freeze the whites in a bag for up to one month

1tsp Vanilla Bean Paste/Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

1tsp Corn Flour – I use Doves Farm as it is certified gluten free

5tbsp Caster Sugar

100g Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa

4 Packets of Rolos

Method: Ensure the frozen bowl part of the ice cream maker has been in the freezer for at least 8 hours, or according to manufacturers instructions.

Note – for step by step photographs of how to make the custard base please see Very Vanilla Ice Cream

Making The Chocolate Ice Cream Base

Pour the milk and cream into a heavy based saucepan over a medium heat.
Heat until the milk is scalded – little bubbles will appear around the rim of the liquid just before it boils. Once it has reached this point remove from the heat.
In a large heat proof bowl add the egg yolks, vanilla paste, corn flour and sugar.
Whisk until pale and creamy.
With the whisk still running on low, slowly pour the hot cream mixture into the bowl – this creates the custard base.
Pour the custard base back into the saucepan, over a low-medium heat, stirring continuously.
When the custard has thickened and coats the back of a wooden spoon remove the pan from the heat.
Chop up the dark chocolate and place into a clean bowl – I quickly rinse out the original bowl used.
Place a sieve over the bowl and pour the hot custard through the sieve on to the chocolate.
Stir the custard with a wooden spoon and the chocolate will melt into it.

FF Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream — Chocolate melting into the custard ice cream base.

Cover the chocolate custard base with cling film, so the film lays directly on the surface of the custard. This will stop a skin from forming.
Once cooled to warm on the work top place the bowl in the fridge to chill.
As soon as the base is chilled it is ready to be churned.

Churning The Ice Cream

Set up your ice cream maker as per the manufacturers instructions.
Mine has to be churning, prior to adding any liquid.
Pour the chocolate custard into the churning machine through the opening and leave to churn until frozen – for me that is when the ice cream is turning as one clump with the beater.
Switch the machine off and remove the top part of the ice cream maker.

Remove the beater, scraping off as much of the ice cream as you can. Then lick off the rest of the ice cream 😉
Decant the chocolate ice cream into a freezer proof tub.
Unwrap 3 packets of Rolos and cut each one in half.
Add to the ice cream and swirl through using the handle of a wooden spoon.
Unwrap the fourth packet and place the Rolos directly on top of the ice cream.

Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream ready for the freezer.

Pop on a tight fitting lid and place the Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream into the freezer for at least 4 hours, or until fully frozen.
To serve, remove the ice cream from the freezer 15-20 before scooping. As our delicious Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream doesn’t have any artificial softener, preservatives or additives added to it, it’ll need a few minutes to soften up.

Serve in cones, bowls or these fun cups I found.

Why not have a go at making your own ice cream at home. It really is so much fun.

If you have enjoyed this Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream Recipe here are a few more you may like:

Lemon Ripple Ice Cream

Chocolate Honeycomb Ice Cream

Blackberry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

I hope these recipes have inspired you to make your own ice cream at home? It tastes so much better than most of the ice creams you can buy and you can create your own ice cream sundaes like my Raspberry Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae.

Whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens this very warm weekend, here in the South East of England, have fun feasting with family and friends.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Very Vanilla Ice Cream

Standing in the garden yesterday, face lifted up to the sky, the sun warming me through, gave me hope. Finally, Winter has passed Spring is here and warm, sunshine filled days will be more frequent and very welcomed. When the sun starts to really warm me, there is one thing I am inspired to make. Welcome to my Very Vanilla Ice Cream.

Summer Time And The Living Is Easy

As soon as the tinkling sounds of the ice cream van fill the air, I know it is time to make one of the Summer’s greatest pleasures, ice cream.

There is absolutely a place for ice cream vans, 99’s and ice cream vendors on the beach. Gosh, on a hot day where would we be without them?

Homemade ice cream is a wonderfully indulgent pleasure. I have made very many flavours over the years, seeing as this is the first ice cream recipe to be posted here, I decided to show you how to make the best Very Vanilla Ice Cream which also happens to be gluten free, as are all of the ice cream recipes here on Feasting is Fun.

FF Very Vanilla Ice Cream — **Very Vanilla Ice Cream** how do you like yours?

So simple to make, with only a little forward planning required. There are plenty of no churn ice cream recipes on the Internet – Pinterest is a great place to look. Whilst some of them are reasonably good, buying an ice cream maker and churning your own ice cream results in a far smoother, silkier ice cream. Having just had a quick look on Amazon they have a good selection of ice cream makers for under £30.

How about an ice cream maker as a present for Dad on Father’s Day?

I have tried making ice cream by hand, where you take it out of the freezer every so often and mix it with a fork. No matter how well I followed the recipe instructions my ice cream always ended up with large water crystals and wasn’t ever smooth or creamy.

Sweet Memories

Since being given an ice cream maker a few years ago, making ice cream is no longer a chore but a pleasure.

Many years ago, when I was in my early 20’s, a friend and I went Inter Railing across Europe. Aside from the beautiful sights and unique experiences we shared, I have one very prominent memory. Of ice cream!!

Not any ice cream, a beautiful hazelnut ice cream eaten in Germany. For years and years I longed to taste that delighful ice cream again. Then when I started making my own ice cream I found a way to make it and it tastes just how I remember. More on that in an upcoming post.

That’s the beauty of making your own ice cream, playing with flavours and textures, creating your own little ice cream parlor!

Recipe: Makes approx 750ml Very Vanilla Ice Cream

300ml Double Cream

300ml Whole Milk

6 tbsp Caster Sugar

4 Free Range Egg Yolks

2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste – I use Nielsen-Massey

1 tsp Corn Flour – I use Doves Farm as it is gluten free

Scant pinch of salt (less than 1/4 tsp)

Method: Ensure the freezing part of the ice cream maker has been in the freezer for at least 24 hours.

Making The Ice Cream Base

Place the cream, milk and vanilla bean paste into a saucepan over medium heat.
Add the egg yolks, sugar, salt and cornflour to a large heatproof bowl. Whisk until pale and creamy.

The milk/cream needs to reach scalding point. This is when little bubbles appear around the edge of the liquid.

When the milk/cream has reached scalding point remove the pan from the heat.
Whilst whisking the egg mixture, pour the hot milk/cream into the bowl – do not stop whisking.
Once combined tip the custard mixture back into the same saucepan, cooking over a low heat and constantly stirring, until the custard has thickened and coats the back of a wooden spoon.

Place a sieve over a clean, heatproof bowl and pour the custard into the bowl, through the sieve.

Place cling film directly over the top of the custard so that is touches it. This will prevent a skin from forming.
Allow to cool and then place into the fridge to chill.

Churning The Ice Cream

Set your ice cream maker up according to the manufacturers instructions.
Remove the cling film, stir the custard and pour into a jug.
Pour the custard into the ice cream maker (for mine it has to already be churning – check your instructions).
Churn the Very Vanilla Ice Cream until it is a thickened yet soft ice cream.

Stop the ice cream maker and scoop out the Very Vanilla Ice Cream into a freezer-proof plastic tub.
Place the tub into the freezer and leave until solid.
As this ice cream has no artificial softening additives, to serve it is best left out of the freezer for 15 minutes. Then scoop away!!!

Continue reading Very Vanilla Ice Cream