Ice Cream

May 13, 2011

My husband’s family had a tradition for many years of making home-made ice cream for birthdays. My mother-in-law (Darlene) faithfully made it from her passed down recipe even for the December birthdays. For many years, we would open presents at Christmas, then the "boys" would go on the porch and churn the ice cream in a crank type freezer.  (They said it didn’t taste as good in an electric freezer) It was a bonding time for the boys and a memory shared for all the family.

Here is the recipe for homemade ice cream that has been loved for so many years: 

Darlene's Homemade Vanilla  Ice Cream Recipe

For one gallon:
4 Tbsp flour
4 cups milk
2/3 cup sugar
dash of salt
3 eggs

Put the above in a 3 qt. pan and mix together. Cook on medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Cool and add:
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 Tbsp. vanilla
1 pint of whipping cream
Stir and then pour into the ice cream maker cylinder with the paddle inside. Add more milk to the fill line on the cylinder. Move the paddle around to stir it up.

Put cylinder in ice cream maker bucket and freeze by churning with ice and rock salt until firm.  Usually takes 20- 30 minutes. Little kids enjoy this part until it gets harder to turn.  (Or use an electric freezer if you must.)

Note: The first part (custard) can be made a day or two before and refrigerated. Then add the rest of ingredients when ready to freeze. You can add fruit or flavorings of your choice.

MCPL has many books on ice cream and desserts such as 500 Ice Creams, Sorbets & Gelatos, Ice Cream: 52 Recipes for Year Round Frozen Treats, and Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts.
 
One of my favorite recipes, Pistachio Sandwiches with Walnut Brownies, is found in the book Ice Cream Treats: Easy Ways to Transform Your Favorite Ice Cream into Spectacular Desserts. It’s basically a "make your own" ice cream sandwich with ice cream between brownies. You could use any flavor of ice cream or sherbet you prefer.
Whether you make it homemade or buy it from a box, enjoy some ice cream!
 
Wanda B.
Raytown Branch