Did Somebody Say Ice Cream?

By Jocelyn Anne

So at this point, I’m just going to be honest with ya’ll (no, not actually from the South, but I wish I was, so take it as I go, yeah?).  Today is Thursday.  It ought to be Friday, but Friday from three weeks from now or something like that.  It’s been the worst week (all four days of it, Sunday counts) I’ve had in approximately 2 years.  Now, before you get all worried this is going to be depressing all the way through, stick with me.  It’s got a happy ending, promise.

It just so happens that I’m not the girl who decides she is “not hungry” when she is stressed/depressed/sad/and/or/blue.  No, I am the girl who would sit in front of the couch and eat Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Fudge Loaded Brownie Caramel Swirl Smorgasbord ice cream till the store next door ran out and then I’d drive 20 miles to get more.

Also, I am a writer who writes about various products, intermittently, as they are assigned to me, varying from things like air conditioners to dishwashers.  And guess what I got assigned this week!  Ice cream makers ya’ll!  Loooove it.  Just love it.  So, I’ve been watching my reality TV in spades, (is it me, or is it just awful lately – insert Bachelorette and a big yawn here) and concocting ice cream recipes, but more mainly just eating buckets of ice cream .  And I have the best-est of the best-est recipes right here for ya.  Your very, very merry welcome.

If You’re Having a Week Like Mine, Eat This One

Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Caramel Swirl (& Everything Else)

(Adapted via Alli-n-Son, directions here.)

Ingredients:

Cocoa powder.  ½ cup unsweetened

Half & half.  3 cups

Heavy cream. 1 cup

Egg yolks.  8

Sugar.  1 cup + 2 tablespoons

Vanilla.  2 teaspoons

Sea salt caramel. (your favorite jar)

And if you are me, add:

Brownies (large chunks)

Chocolate chunks (Dove, preferably)

Candy (all the kinds you like, ½ cup of each)

Almonds. ½ cup, slivers

If You’re Feelin’ All on Top of Yo’ Game & Just Finished Your Nightly Jog, Eat This One

Strawberry Basil Sorbet

(Adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod.  Directions here.)

Ingredients

Strawberries. 1 pound, rinsed and sliced

Sugar.  ¾ cup

Basil. ¼ cup freshly chopped

Lemon juice.  1 teaspoon, freshly squeezed

If You’re Feelin’ Sassy, Eat This One

White Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream

(Adapted from Our Share of the Harvest.  Directions here.)

Ingredients:

Whole milk. 1 ½ cup

Heavy cream. 1 ½ cup

White chocolate. 8 ounces, chopped

Sugar. ¾ cup

Eggs. 2

Egg yolk. 1

Vanilla. 1 ½ tsp.

Raspberries. 1 cup

Corn syrup. 2 tablespoons.

If You’re Feelin At All, Meanin’ You’re Alive, Eat This One

Ricotta & Honey Ice Cream

(Adapted from Travelers Lunch Box.  Directions here.)

Ingredients:

Ricotta. 1 pound

Whole milk. 2/3 cup

Heavy whipping cream. 1 cup

Lemon zest. 1 teaspoon, freshly grated

Salt. 1 dash

Honey. 1/3 cup

About the Author:

Freelancer Jocelyn Anne has written about many things in her day but is beyond ecstatic to be writing about recipes and ice cream makers now.  If you can’t find her on the beach, just go look in the freezer.  She’ll likely be hiding out with a spoon in each hand.