Have fun with these very different flavour combinations …
My cheat’s ice cream doesn’t involve making any ice cream and that’s what makes it so good. All it takes is a tub of ice cream, a mixer and some good flavour ideas. I’ve been making versions for friends when I can’t be bothered with anything fancy. It always goes down well, especially served as affogatos.
I make these combinations all the time when hosting, in both summer and winter. Whenever I Google “ice cream machines” about 100 overpriced appear in the search, enormous contraptions that I know I’ll use once or twice and then resentfully store for the rest of the year. Instead, the idea is this: add a tub of plain ice cream to a stand mixer or food processor and add flavourings of your choice.
The trick is to warm your flavouring just enough to make everything whippable. I make flavoured warm milk, about 100 to 150ml of liquid per one litre of ice cream, so it’s quite concentrated. For some of these flavour combinations I use Ovaltine or Horlicks, but you could add melted chocolate, spices for a chai flavour or just vanilla.
Or warm raisins in rum (thank you Sue Quinn @penandspoon for this excellent suggestion). Or you can make a citrus syrup with loads of orange and lemon zest, sugar, the juice and a little water.
Then whip the softened ice cream with your warm flavouring until it’s similar to McFlurry-like texture, scoop it back into the tub and refreeze. Or eat it straight from the mixing bowl!
7 FLAVOUR COMBINATIONS:
Horlicks and cherry ripple
Orange and lemon
Chocolate, coffee and hazelnut
Chocolate, tahini and honey
Cardamom, vanilla and maple
Brown butter, honey and sea salt
Chai spice and brown sugar