Banana Ice Cream

You can eat as much as you want of this ice cream!  It's creamy, smooth, cold, and only uses one ingredient...bananas!  Of course you can add in your favorite toppings, too.  I like cinnamon and walnuts.  Tastes like banana bread.  Mmmm...Freeze your bananas at least 6 hours in advance and make sure you use bananas that are ripe.  I like them when they're getting a good amount of brown spots on the outside.  Nice and sweet but not mushy or brown on the inside!

Banana Ice Cream

Remove banana peels and slice bananas into 1/4-1/2 inch slices.  Place slices on cookie sheet lined with waxed or parchment paper.  Place in freezer until frozen or at least 6 hours.  (I like to make a big bunch and after they are frozen I transfer them to a big freezer bag and then I have them on hand to use for shakes or banana ice cream or just plain as a frozen treat that just hits the spot for me.)

Place frozen banana chunks into a food processor.  I don't think this recipe would work in a blender unless you have one of those really nice high speed ones that I REALLY want but don't have...like a Vitamix.  Turn on the food processor and blend the bananas up.  Stop it a couple times to scrape down the sides and stir the mixture around.  It will look like little crumbs but as soon as you start to stir it will turn smooth and creamy and look just like ice cream.  Add any add-ins that you would like:  cinnamon, walnuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter, etc.  Dish it out with an ice cream scoop and enjoy!

Homemade Ice Cream

We always try to make a batch of homemade ice cream on the 4th of July. The recipe we use is a custard-style made with eggs. So very rich and creamy! We always have it with Grangran's Chocolate Sheet Cake. Mmmm...

Homemade Ice Cream

*4 Quart Recipe*
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
5 cups milk (use whole milk for ultimate creaminess)
4 eggs, beaten
4 cups (1 quart) whipping cream
2 Tbsp. vanilla (I usually put more!)

Combine sugar and salt in saucepan. Gradually stir in milk and beaten eggs. Stirring constantly, cook for about 5 minutes or until eggs are cooked to make a custard. Transfer to a dish (I usually use a shallow pan like a 9x13 so that it cools faster.) Cool completely in refrigerator, about 2 hours. Combine whipping cream and vanilla in large bow; add chilled custard, stirring with wire whisk to combine. Freeze according to instructions on ice cream freezer.