Homemade Ice Cream with No Ice Cream Maker!

So, the other day I am laying on the massage table and my therapist, the divine Ms. Sarah, and I are chatting. Sarah is the consummate baker. She's always whipping up a cake or some other wonderful treat and if I'm lucky, my massage is right after baking day!

Well, this time, she had been making ice cream and when I tasted her version -- Pumpkin Pie Spice -- I was hooked. I immediately went to the store and got the ingredients to make peppermint stick. My favorite. The one ice cream that seems to only last a month or two in the store.

Best of all, it doesn't require an ice cream maker!

It's so easy and pretty darned good, so I had to share!

Easy Ice Cream

Whip one pint of whipping cream to stiff peaks.
Beat in one can of sweetened condensed milk
Add flavorings of your choice.

Sarah's Pumpkin Pie spice was 1 T. Bourbon, about 1 t. of pumpkin spices, which she mixed together.

Jeanie's Peppermint was six or seven candy canes crushed (which I had left from last year), about 1 t. peppermint extract (add gradually to taste) and about 1 t. vodka. If I had schnapps, I would have used that. I'm not sure if the vodka left a bit of an after taste or if it was the extract, so I will rethink this one next time.)  And I would have used more candy pieces but that is that I had!

(Sarah says that her son, who gave her the recipe, says the alcohol affects the texture. I am going to try it without and see what I think because I know that may be an issue for some and I'm not quite sure what the difference is in the ice cream. The vodka was relatively tasteless so I figured it wouldn't throw another flavoring off balance, while some combos would work well together.)

If you want, include add-ins, like the candy canes, toffee pieces or mini chips. 

Pour into a cellophane lined baking pan. This amount fit a 7x9 perfectly and Sarah used an 8x8. Cover and freeze.

Sarah served me the pumpkin spice on graham crackers and it was fabulous that way. I might make me some ice cream sandwiches!

After I did this, I looked online and found the almost-identical recipe but no alcohol HERE. Apart from that, the instructions are a bit different -- they have you fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk instead of add the milk to the whipped cream with the mixer. I don't know if it would make a bit of difference. Mine was fine and as I said the only thing I'm not sure about was my flavorings.

I'm definitely doing it again! This is too easy -- and too dangerous. And too good!

(A bit ago, after this post was prepped, I saw one by Jenna at Painted Apron for a very similar but different version - and she incorporated white chocolate and cranberries into hers and uses Cool Whip. So if easy ice cream is your thing, check it out right HERE!)

One other thing -- some of you mentioned an interest in seeing some of my inventory after the November art sale. I finally got a link up to my Gypsy Caravan page. Find it at the header bar right up above!

And finally, this post is linked to Pink Saturday where you'll find lots of lovely links! Check 'em out!