Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream

Hi everyone!  Are you ready for the weekend?  Week before last, I made some homemade chocolate ice cream.  We purchased a Cuisinart ice cream maker about six years ago, but we haven't used it a lot.  We used it the first summer we had it, but after that we kind of forgot about it.  We probably wouldn't have bought one at all, except that my mom got one, and she really liked it.  She used it a lot before my dad passed away, but she hasn't used it much since.  He really loved homemade ice cream, and he was the official ice cream churner (before the electric ones came along).  However, he got too weak to use the ice cream maker before he died, so my mom got the Cuisinart.        

   

This year Hal said, "Let's dig out that ice cream maker and make some ice cream."  Sounds good to me. 😉  I got the Cuisinart out, dusted it off, and rounded up our recipes.  We made vanilla for Will's birthday earlier in August because we were having chocolate cake.  That made for a good combination, but this time, we decided to try chocolate ice cream.  I hadn't made it before; it wasn't difficult to make, and we really liked it.                

We used the recipe in the instruction booklet that came with the ice cream maker.  They recommend that you mix up the base and let it chill for a few hours, or overnight, in the refrigerator.  We usually let ours chill overnight, and it firms up nicely in 20 minutes or less.  I combined my ingredients in a mixing bowl and put it in the fridge overnight; this is what it looked like the next morning.  Ooops!  

   Everything had separated during the night.  When I was ready to put everything in the Cuisinart, I just re-mixed the base with a whisk, and it came together beautifully.              

   

Here it is after re-mixing.

      

Just pour the chocolate mixture into the frozen freezer bowl.  We keep our metal bowl (cylindrical piece on top of the base) in the freezer all the time.  The Cuisinart owner's manual recommends you do this.     

Turn the machine on and in 20 minutes (or less) you have ice cream.  This model also makes frozen yogurt, sherbet, sorbet and frozen drinks.  So far, we've only made ice cream.  We would like to try sorbet, though.   

We purchased this container from Amazon; it came in a set of two.  We're not Amazon affiliates, so I'm not making any money from this recommendation, but I'm sharing in case you're interested in purchasing these.  We've only used one so far, but we really like it!  It came with several labels in pretty, pastel colors.   

Below is the recipe, adapted from Cuisinart.  If you try this, I hope you enjoy it.     Simple Chocolate Ice Cream

• 3/4 c. cocoa powder, sifted (I just used a whisk)
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar
• 1/3 c. packed dark brown sugar (I used light brown sugar)
• pinch of salt
• 1 c. half 'n half
• 2 c. heavy cream
• 1/2 T. pure vanilla extract

      1.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugars and salt.  Add the half 'n half and, using a hand mixer on low speed or a whisk, beat to combine until the cocoa, sugars and salt are dissolved.  Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla.  Cover and refrigerate one to two hours, or overnight. 

     2. Turn the Cuisinart ice cream maker on; pour the mixture into the frozen freezer bowl and let mix until thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes.  The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture.  If a firmer consistency is desired, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer for about two hours.  Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving.    

      

We thought this ice cream was delicious!  It had a rich, chocolate flavor and was thick and creamy.  This recipe is definitely a keeper.  Do you like to make ice cream?  I know there are recipes out there for making ice cream without a special machine -- just mix everything together, pour it in a pan, and put it in the freezer until it freezes.  I've pinned a recipe like this, which I plan on trying out next.  😊  Don't judge me folks, it's still really hot here.   

   

Thank you to all who stopped by here today -- I hope you have a lovely weekend!  See you soon!