A Dangerous and Decadent Fixation
July 9, 2010
It all started with this strange whirring sound in the middle of the Fourth of July party. I was catching up with my girlfriends when the sound of a small appliance began to compete with the iPod playlist.
Turns out, my hub had decided in the middle of the party to make homemade vanilla ice cream. Huh ? It was one of those moments where you look at your spouse that you’ve been married to for over a decade and realize perhaps you really don’t know that person at all.
Apparently, he had pulled the never-been-used Krups ice cream maker (so ancient, it’s now discontinued) out of its dusty box the day before and frozen the bowl in anticipation of making ice cream in the middle of the party. That’s just how he rolls.
I confess, I mocked him. “What’s going on here?” Reply: “Obviously, I’m making ice cream. What’s a Fourth of July party without homemade vanilla ice cream?” Perplexed and befuddled was I. But my bewildered smirk gave way to a satisfied grin when I tasted his concoction. He said, “Don’t you remember, we said we would make homemade ice cream this summer?” That’s right, I did say that.
Unfortunately, he’s now created a dangerous monster because I’ve been obsessed all week with my ice cream maker. Oh, it all started so innocently, with plain vanilla.
My vanilla soon morphed into pralines and cream with some caramel sauce and chopped pecans.
Then I put in on top of warm brownies to really send my family over the edge.
The munchkins and I picked some wild blackberries on the back hill, and of course they ended up on top of our second batch of vanilla.
But then I was inspired by this recipe on Country Living and just had to make . . .
Blackberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
12 oz. pureed and strained blackberries
6 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1.5 cups sugar
1.5 cups whipping cream
1.5 cups milk
With fork, mix softened cream cheese with sugar, slowly add whipping cream and milk, blend together. Add blackberries, blend, then process in ice cream maker.
As you can see, I am in serious trouble.
One final public service announcement: Did you know it’s a misdemeanor to rinse an ice cream covered paddle before you lick it clean? I’m just looking out for you.
My ice cream maker is now my dangerous and decadent fixation. I’ve moved on to more advanced ingredients, secretly hunting for new flavors on Epicurious. On behalf of my mid section, someone needs to stage an intervention. Please, I beg you.
Or at least join me and we’ll all spiral towards chubbiness together. Have a great summer weekend . . . and please eat something decadent, just to show you care.
.
That Blackberry Cheesecake could send me into a tizzy!!!
Oh my goodness, those brownies look amazing! My mouth is watering right now! Have a great weekend!
I would really love some of the caramel and praline ice cream right about now:) Your pictures are beautiful.
I’m MAJORLY craving that blackberry cheesecake icecream now. Too bad I don’t have an icecream maker. Since my baby girl is STILL NOT HERE YET (5 days overdue) I feel like I could definitely justify eating a bowl…nah…a bucket!
Oh my mouth is just watering now! The ice creams looks scrumtious and the brownies…. yum!! Have a great weekend!
Yummo! I could so join you right now.
My favorite all time homeade ice cream is Heath candy bar. Yum! Now I’m wanting ice cream. :-/
Thanks for all the helpful paint tips by the way. I tend to worry about matchy matchy way too much. :-)
Mmmm, yummy! We have that same ice cream maker – be careful with the paddle because it breaks so easily! We’ve gone through 3 or 4 of them. I hope we can still order just the paddle in case it breaks again – I ordered 2 the last time it broke, and we’re down to the last one again.
I’ve been on an ice cream kick lately too! Coconut ice cream served w/ fresh strawberries = Yum! Another huge hit was Orangette’s (blog) Fennel Ice Cream!! You must try it! We made your Lavender Lemon Pudding cake, so I’m afraid this ice cream is on the menu for this weekend. I love that my 20th reunion is next weekend and these last couple months I’ve been too busy baking & making ice cream that I’m not working out! ha! Makes total sense, doesn’t it?? =) Thanks for another sure-to-be delicious recipe!
I’m sorry! I meant to ask… do you happen to know the size of your ice cream maker??
Check out a recipe for FroYo. Basically 3 C greek yogurt and 1 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Give it a twirl and voila. You can even use the fat free greek yogurt (trader joes, costco)
mmmm and easier on the waistline.
Oohhh yes!
Now, should the hub and I invest in a bread machine…. or an ice cream machine??
Kate, step away from the icecream machine.
The kids I used to babysit loved making strange flavors and having me try to guess. They once made broccoli ice cream! It wasn’t half bad, actually.
Maybe try making some sorbet too — I think that’s a bit lighter, since it’s just sugar and not all the cream and stuff.
I tried to eat the screen when I saw that pralines and cream. Your pictures are gorgeous! I want ice cream.
I started this same obsession last summer after finding an ice cream maker at an estate sale. I just upgraded my maker this week–yikes.
But, my suggestion (not that I’m following it) is to make sorbet. The best sorbet I ever had was made by us :)
Next recipe on my list is peanut butter cup. Soooooo gooood!!
Delicious sounding recipes and GORGEOUS photos! But leave it to an attorney to say it’s a misdemeanor to rinse an ice cream covered paddle before you lick it clean! So funny I couldn’t help but LOL. Personally, I think it should be a FELONY! (Former legal secretary in a prosecuter’s office here.) :D
OMG, I may have to get the ice cream maker out for this one. It all looks so delicious but the Blackberry is calling my name. Thank you for the recipe. Can’t wait to try it.
Oh yum! That looks awesome!
Try this one: 1 can eagle brand milk and 1 liter orange soda. Just mix and put into ice cream maker. Makes wonderful orange sherbet! You can even use the low fat eagle brand and diet soda without affecting the taste.
Your pictures are beautiful! What kind of camera do you use?
My fondest childhood memories! Homemade ice cream on the 4th of July! Now I share with my children. If you get to Mexico buy the clear vanilla there. It is amazing in ice cream and cookies!
Oh, girl, dangerous it definitely is. But when the paints get too tight, you can make really yummy frozen yogurt in it. We have one and do just that. It’s as easy as dumping a few containers of yogurt in. Have fun!
opps, I meant Pants!!! haha!
You crack me up! I’ll spiral toward chubbiness with you anytime!
Oh I am so jealous I have been eyeing ice cream makers for a while but I am mainly dairy free right now while I am nursing my son cause he is allergic. As soon as I am done nursing I am ALL over this!!!!!
When my mom was growing up, HER mom made homemade ice cream every day. Every. Day. because they had a milk cow and just had that much cream to use up!
Oh my ,, this ice cream look delishhh!!
These photos are absolutely fantastic!
Have a beautiful weekend.
xoxo
Edyta
http://edytaandco.blogspot.com/
wow that looks sooooooooooo yummy xxx
We love home-made ice cream; we use the White Mountain hand crank one. Good times! Our fav is peach ice cream made w/fresh picked ripened white peaches and fresh chicken eggs (both ingredients fr our garden). Avocado also my favorite, so we’re going to try for that soon. And ube ice cream is also another goal of mine.
I suggest going to William Sonoma and get the salted caramel gelato mix (can be used in an ice cream maker)–to die for!! and it is on sale!
Great timing! We just busted out our never before-used ice cream maker today! Homemade vanilla is SO good. I am already thinking of new flavor combos and yours look delicious! And, thankfully I licked the paddle — I wouldn’t want a misdemeanor on my record. :)
I showed this to my husband, and he is now convinced we need an ice cream machine. I just started my post-baby diet, so I am resisting! That’s what I get for tempting him…
Wow!! I can see your problem. I need to get one of those for myself!
I am loving this ice cream maker. I’m not even kidding I’m going to look for one ASAP!!! I need that pralines n cream in my life!!!!
“We’ll all spiral towards chubbiness together” – I think you’re wonderful and all Kate, but no siree, I ain’t going thataway at all. I was so tempted to buy an ice -shaving machine just today forfriendsandsmallparties you know but I had visions of floating calories before me so ahem, I didn’t.
I was looking around allrecipes.com today for some new chicken recipes and came upon some ice cream recipes. It made me think of you and this post. Thought I’d share. I didn’t really look too much into it, but I’m sure there are some delicious recipes in there!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Desserts/Frozen-Treats/Ice-Cream/Main.aspx
There is no doubt, that is a dangerous appliance. I love danger.
Lisa
my mouth is now watering…looks so very yummy
Oh my goodness that looks good! I love homemade ice cream! There is nothing better! I am sorry that I cannot join your decadent fixation though. I just got back from our week long vacation in Hilton Head, stepped on our bathroom scale, and saw a 10 pound increase! Not kiddin. Depression has set in and my eating plans for the week are bordering close to starvation. :)
I will live vicariously through you!
Blessings,
Traci
I have to make the praline ice cream…N-O-W. My aunt Joyce gave me a Cuisinart machine a couple of weeks ago and I too cannot stop!. Have you tried Honey Lavender ice cream?!?!?! Do it now. I suggest a kick run around the neighborhood while it’s freezing to fight back!
I have been wanting the ice cream attachment for my KitchenAid but have resisted as I know I won’t be able to stop making and eating the ice cream.
Look deeee-lish! You have now given me a reason to purchase an ice cream maker!
OH NO!!! Why did I have to read YOU today??!! Dang – the ice cream maker that I purchased just for the 4th of July (and didn’t use) was being returned to the store this morning. Now I just may have to keep it. The store I’m headed to instead is for cream, salt and sugar… After the store I’ll be spending an hour at the gym and the afternoon walking hills!
Lavender ice cream… and I once had rose petal ice cream at Mottisfont Abbey, pure bliss (and I don’t like ice cream!)
I have that exact ice cream maker and can attest to how dangerous it is to your waistline! It makes the creamiest homemade ice cream ever. Sooooo good!
My husband bought it for me along with the Ben & Jerry’s recipe book and the diet went right out the window! :)
I am in serious trouble. I ordered an ice cream maker because my husband and I have been obsessed with two local ice cream stores this summer. I think I’m going to be in your shoes ever soon. Thanks for the tip about the ice cream paddle.
I live in the tropics (of Australia) and when mango season is on, I make the best ice-cream in the world with the flesh of 2 mangoes, in the blender with half a cup of sugar, grated lemon rind and 300ml (about 1 1/4 cups) whipping cream. So easy, so gorgeous. Your recipes sound wonderful – I will have to try them.
I rarely comment, but I just wanted to say that this post was really cute. :)
Whoa! Many greetings from hot Germany (35 to 37 Centigrades at the moment – doesn’t even cool down much at night).
Shame on you, you have unleashed another monster! My wife yearns for icecream now, your article reminded her of my cherry and plum icecream creations I made last year.
Well, thanks! My wife lets me make icecream of which she’ll have some spoonsful and I’ll munch ounces of that stuff (the whole rest) like Winnie the Pooh when he sees Hunney… guess how long it takes until I look like him? ;)
Nevertheless – you published great new recipes and really beautiful photos. Blackberry cheesecake sounds great, caramel looks absolutely irresistable, I’ll give them a try the next days.