Easy Ice Cream (vanilla, chocolate, peppermint, coffee, and butter pecan)

This is the easy "cheater" version of my ice cream recipes. Truth be told, I make ice cream the cheater way more often then not. The non cheater way is to make a custard first. That ice cream is and remains (after a few weeks) more scoopable. It also has a better texture if you make a custard. Made the easy way it freezes harder and only gets harder to scoop the longer it sits in the freezer. Feel free to add 2/3 cup mini chips to any recipe to make it vanilla chip or chocolate chocolate chip, etc. You can also substitute 4 c (1 quart) half and half for the 2 cups of milk and 2 cups of cream.

EASY VANILLA ICE CREAM

INGREDIENTS

2 C cream

2 C milk

1 C sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Whisk the milk, sugar and vanilla until combined. Add the cream and whisk together. Freeze according to the manufactures directions

EASY COFFEE ICE CREAM

INGREDIENTS

2 c cream

2c milk

1 c sugar

1 1/2 T espresso powder or instant coffee powder (more coffee)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Whisk together all ingredients except for the cream. Add the cream and whisk together. Freeze according to the manufactures directions.

EASY PEPPERMINT CHIP ICE CREAM

INGREDIENTS

2 C cream

2 C milk

1 C sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract

2 or 3 drops of green food coloring

2/3 c mini chocolate chips

Whisk together milk, sugar, vanilla, peppermint, and food coloring. Add cream and whisk. I prefer a lite green color, because I think it looks more upscale. But add as much food coloring as you like. The color will lighten as it freezes. Freeze according to manufacturers directions. Add chips during last part of the freezing.

EASY BUTTER PECAN ( OR BRICKLE)

INGREDIENTS

2 C cream

2 C milk

1 C brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 C chopped pecans or toffee (brickle)

Whisk together milk, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add cream and whisk. Freeze according to manufactures instructions. Add pecans (or toffee) at the end of the freezing process.

EASY CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

INGREDIENTS

2 C cream

2 C milk

1 1/2 C sugar

1/2 C cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt (helps bring out the flavor)

Whisk together milk, sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla. It doesn't seem like the cocoa will ever whisk in, but keep whisking, it will. Add cream and whisk. Freeze according to manufacturers instructions.

EASY MOCHA ICE CREAM- add 2 tsp espresso powder (or instant coffee)

EASY CHOCOLATE MINT ICE CREAM- add 1/2 to 1 tsp mint extract