Huzzah!
This was the find of the century for me. As you may know, ice cream and frozen yogurt are my weaknesses in life. If slow metabolism wasn’t my mortal enemy, I would eat frozen yogurt every minute of my waking life.
The only reason I am not constantly making ice cream or frozen yogurt at home is twofold. First, my willpower will not let me. But secondly, I sometimes dread standing over the stove while constantly stirring egg yolks, praying that they don’t scramble before the custard reaches the point where it can coat the back of a spoon, then chilling the custard for several hours before I can process the mixture in my ice cream maker.
Sometimes, I think it is for the best.
Well, the best (or the worst) thing may have just happened.
I found a recipe that requires NO COOKING AT ALL.
Heavy cream, half and half, vanilla, and sweetened condensed milk are all you need to make an unbelievably tasty and creamy ice cream with no work required at all. It took me all of 3 minutes to make the mixture. Since my condensed milk was already cold, I poured the mixture into my ice cream maker and let the machine do all of the work.
I coulnd’t stop tasting this ice cream as it churned. I must have had two servings before it was even fully frozen. The vanilla ice cream was so good, I almost didn’t want to add the banana. But I did, and it was worth it, because it was AMAZING. Rich. Unbelievably creamy. I was shocked. This tastes exactly like ice cream that would have taken me a half an hour to make beforehand. The best part is, it is unbelievably versatile. This mixture could act as a base for any kind of ice cream. Rum raisin. Cookies and cream. Mint chip.
A world of possibilities lay at my fingertips now. And more time at the gym.
No-cook Banana Ice Cream Recipe: Adapted from PinkBites.com
makes 1 quart
You will need:
2 cups of half and half
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 cup of heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 very ripe bananas
2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice
Mix together the first four ingredients until combined, making sure the condensed milk is well blended with the other liquids. Chill until cold.
Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze accordingly.
Mash the bananas with the lemon juice and add to the ice cream maker 2 minutes before it's finished. Transfer ice cream to a freezer safe container, cover and freeze for at least 3 hours.
Your ice cream looks great! I also love to make ice cream - got an ice cream churn for an anniversary gift a few years back. I think I will have to get it out and give this a try.
Posted by: Jen Schall @ My Kitchen Addiction | March 30, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Yum! This is dangerous. Like you, I don't make ice cream more because of the time (and stress) involved! Well, that and the fact that the canister for my ice cream maker is never frozen (my freezer is too full to keep it in there all the time).
Posted by: Tracey | March 30, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Oh boy. This is bad news for me. I guess I will be putting my ice cream bowl back in the freezer tonight.
Posted by: Sara | March 30, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Banana ice-cream is my husband's favorite and we all love it too! Yum!
Posted by: Natasha - 5 Star Foodie | March 30, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Sounds delicious! I love making ice cream (and eating it, yum).
Posted by: pinkstripes | March 30, 2009 at 01:34 PM
How cool is that..you always have the greatest recipes! I have to tell you what I am going to do with me blog..I'll email you!
Posted by: Michelle | March 30, 2009 at 01:36 PM
I just started making ice cream a few weeks ago, and I'm totally hooked. It so SO much better than store bought. This looks amazing. I feel weak just looking at it. Totally worth any extra time required at the gym!
Posted by: Cathy | March 30, 2009 at 02:12 PM
We shouldn't have seen this recipe. We really shouldn't have. Oh man...
Posted by: The Duo Dishes | March 30, 2009 at 02:34 PM
I was looking for a no-cook vanilla ice cream yesterday! This is perfect! I will have to try it very soon.
Posted by: Evan | March 30, 2009 at 03:11 PM
I love no cook ice cream. I've never made it the other way, I don't feel like I'm missing anything!
Posted by: Mindy | March 30, 2009 at 03:34 PM
Ooooh, I'm going to try that. Have you tried the no-cook Nutella ice cream? Heaven!
Posted by: April | March 30, 2009 at 04:17 PM
I would love to try this!! i love a banana milkshake and it has similar ingredients but also with the addition of honey - i'd like to try this ice cream w/honey!
Posted by: Jaime | March 30, 2009 at 08:05 PM
YUM-O. I just bought the mixer attachment to my stand mixer and am seeking out ice cream desserts because they are my FAV. Can't wait to make this VERY VERY soon.
Posted by: Eliana | March 30, 2009 at 08:42 PM
I haven't made cookied ice cream because I'm too lazy, but banana would be my favorite and I can't wait to try this!!!
Posted by: Katrina | March 31, 2009 at 02:39 PM
Typos are so annoying, of course I meant COOKED ice cream, not cookied. I haven't made that either though. But I do OFTEN type cookie instead of cooked--hmmm, I wonder why? ;)
Posted by: Katrina | March 31, 2009 at 02:41 PM
Hi, already printed out the recipe and am trying asap! Yea, I'm gonna be chunky and happily eating ice cream!
~ingrid
Posted by: ingrid | March 31, 2009 at 04:06 PM
Now I know exactly what I'm doing with the ripe bananas sitting on my dining room table. Yum.
Posted by: Jennifer | April 01, 2009 at 12:47 PM
I made the banana ice cream last night along with Dorie's recipe for banana cake and it was really good! I did add a large pinch of nutmeg to the ice cream, since the cake had some, too, and it was delicious.
(My ice cream did overflow my ice cream maker a bit once it churned, so next time I will likely make about 2/3rds the recipe)
Posted by: Jennifer | April 02, 2009 at 11:49 AM
This sounds sooo good. I agree that homemade ice cream is incredibly dangerous. I think I gained about five pounds last summer after buying "The Perfect Scoop."
Posted by: Margot | April 08, 2009 at 12:53 AM
i guess i have to try this out
Posted by: justcooknyc | April 10, 2009 at 03:07 PM