Ice Cream

No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream

Dax Phillips Leave a comment

My daughter is really into baking lately, and baking desserts for that matter. As you are probably aware, I am not a desserts type of guy so I am pretty hands off when it comes to that expertise. However, I do encourage her to keep on trucking and coming up with new ideas when making cupcakes. With all of that being said, I do like making ice cream, and I wanted her to see how I make a no churn ice cream. She was already suspicious and asking questions when she saw a few ingredients laying on the counter top. This ice cream is not only way too easy to make, but it may be the best batch of ice cream I have made to date.  Seriously. It reminded me of really good custard with a certain kick which I will get to in a bit.

No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe
No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe

Let’s get started.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pint of heavy cream
  • 1 stick of cinnamon
  • 3 cardamon pods
  • 3 whole star anise
  • generous pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup of coffee beans
  • 14 oz can of chocolate condensed milk
  • 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • parchment paper
  • bread pan

Start by adding the heavy cream, cinnamon, cardamon, star anise, coffee beans, and salt to a saucepan.

Bring this mixture to a simmer, and once you hit the simmer, turn it off the heat, and cover for about 45 minutes to let those aromatics steep.

After 45 minutes, strain the mixture and reserve the cream and discard the solids. Add the cream to a bowl, and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes, getting it very cold but not frozen.

 

No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe Ingredients
No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe Ingredients

Next, get your mixer out and pour in the condensed milk and cocoa powder. Mix on medium speed until the cocoa powder is nice and incorporated.

Remove the cream from the freezer and pour into the condensed milk, mixing on medium speed for roughly 5 minutes.

Pour the mixture into a parchment paper lined bread pan, and place into the freezer for 5 hours or until you have a solid ice cream. When you are ready to serve, scoop out and dig in.

This ice cream is not only super smooth, but it was the best infusion, and one that has you trying to guess what those flavors are. Were my kids and wife impressed? You betcha. If you are looking for a great, and easy dessert, and one that is perfect on a hot day, this is it. Hope you enjoy!

Soda Fountain® Malted Milk Powder – Product Review

Dax Phillips 1 Comment

I’m always open to trying out new products and giving my honest opinion. I think it is helpful to all of you, as well as the product provider. It was not long ago when I was approached to try a product from CTL Foods, Inc. based out of Colfax, Wisconsin. I was all for trying their Soda Fountain® Malted Milk Powder, and granted they are not local in the sense, however four hours north of me, so even more excited to try another Wisconsin product.

Soda Fountain Malted Milk Powder

I was sent 2 pounds of their malted milk powder, which was based on all natural ingredients. A cute product shot of some classic kids sharing a malt was on the front of their label, which immediately reminded me of a great classic malt. Now if you have never been from Wisconsin, we are known for a few things, and custard is one of them. Custard like you will not find anywhere else in the country, and this season is ice cream, and custard season in my house. My kids pretty much have it for dessert a few times a week, so this was a great time to have them taste what a classic malt tastes like.

Malted Milkshake using Soda Fountain Malted Milk Powder

One of my lucky kids got my good old mustache drinking class, actually it was my daughter, just to add a bit more fun into the mix.

The recipe calls for the following, of which I stuck to, however you can get as creative as you want as noted on their label.

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 scoops of any flavor ice cream (I used vanilla)
  • 3/4 cup of cold milk
  • 2 heaping tbsp of Soda Fountain® Malted Milk Powder

Start by adding everything to a blender, and blend until thick and smooth.

How to make a Malt

I made one for each of my kids and got their reactions. It took them a while to react because they sat there slurping and spooning the delicious malt for about 5 minutes, rarely coming up for air.

Their result was a two thumbs up. It was really their first malt (I think) they have ever tried, and they fell in love. Something they will continue to drink whether summer, fall, winter, or spring. If you are looking for a great malt product, give this a shot. Their products are sold online at http://www.ctlfoods.com/malted-milk-powder/.

For one lucky, and random winner, I have a 1 pound Soda Fountain® Malted Milk Powder to give away. Send me an email to daxphillips@gmail.com no later than August 24, 2014. I will then provide a random drawing and get one shipped out to you.

Mixed Berry Yogurt Pops

Dax Phillips Leave a comment

Since January, I have been on a morning juice kick. I love it, to be honest with you, and my morning commute seems a bit incomplete if I go without one. I’m jamming mixed berries, grapefruit, ginger, and spinach and kale into the juicer, and suck it down on the way to work. Let’s just say I feel really good, and have improved energy. With that said, I thought that I would utilize whole berries and make something with my daughter, who by the way not only loves berries but wants to be creative in the kitchen. This is when I thought of making mixed berry yogurt pops. Did I mention she also loves fruit flavored yogurt?

I ordered some Tovolo Groovy Ice Pop Molds not too long ago with anticipation that my kids would love concocting some sort mixture to go in the molds. My daughter was the first to take a go at them (actually I asked if she wanted to help me), and we were both excited for the outcome.

Mixed Berry Yogurt Pops

Got berries, or mixed fruit and yogurt for that matter? Make these. Trust me. You will love them.

Let’s get started.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt (non Greek)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 2 lemons juiced
  • 1 lemon, zest only
  • 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1/2 cup of blackberries
  • ice pop molds

This is way too easy, so enjoy.

Start by adding the sugar, yogurt, milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice to a mixing bowl. Mix to dissolve the sugar.

Add in the berries.

Using a ladle, pour into the molds.

How to make mixed berry yogurt pops

Add the cover to the molds, and carefully place on a flat surface in the freezer. Freeze for 6 hours.

When ready to eat one (or two), remove  a pop from the base, and run the exterior under warm water for about 30 seconds, or until the mixed berry yogurt pop comes out of the mold.

The result is a perfect treat. It’s sweet, it’s sour, and you get great hunks of berry. My daughter only got about half way through hers before she put it back in the freezer, while my wife and I enjoyed one later that night. They were really refreshing, and pretty much good for you to boot. Hope you enjoy!

Print
Mixed Berry Yogurt Pops
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6
 
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups plain yogurt (non Greek)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup of milk
  • 2 lemons juiced
  • 1 lemon, zest only
  • ½ cup fresh raspberries
  • ½ cup of black berries
  • ice pop molds
Instructions
  1. This is way too easy, so enjoy.
  2. Start by adding the sugar, yogurt, milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice to a mixing bowl. Mix to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Add in the berries.
  4. Using a ladle, pour into the molds.
  5. Add the cover to the molds, and carefully place on a flat surface in the freezer. Freeze for 6 hours.
  6. When ready to eat one (or two), remove a pop from the base, and run the exterior under warm water for about 30 seconds, or until the mixed berry yogurt pop comes out of the mold.
  7. The result is a perfect treat. It’s sweet, it’s sour, and you get great hunks of berry. My daughter only got about half way through hers before she put it back in the freezer, while my wife and I enjoyed one later that night. They were really refreshing, and pretty much good for you to boot. Hope you enjoy!

 

Shamrock Shakes

Dax Phillips Leave a comment

It was not too long ago where I was driving past a McDonald’s and noticed the sign that Shamrock shakes were there. That just brought back memories of getting that shake around this time of year, in late February and March. The creamy, minty flavor is just hard to beat. Every Sunday when my kids go to Sunday school, they beg, yes beg, for McDonald’s. I typically decline their request, but do give in from time to time, and as I declined their request this week, I was going to offer them something that would I knew would remind them of McDonald’s and make them extremely happy. This is where the shamrock shake came into action.

Shamrock Shake Recipe

Let’s get started.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of 1% milk
  • 6 cups of vanilla ice cream
  • 1  tsp peppermint extract, use more if you want more peppermint flavor
  • 1 1/2 tsp green food coloring
  • Whipped cream, to your liking

Doesn’t get any easier than that, right?

Add the milk to a blender, then add in your ice cream, peppermint extract, and green food coloring. Blend until smooth.

How to make a shamrock shake

Pour into your serving glass and top with whipped cream. Serve with a straw, and suck away.

My kids loved these shamrock shakes, and they were pretty much identical to those of McDonald’s. So skip the drive through next time and make your own. Your kids will thank you for it. Hope you enjoy.

Print
Shamrock Shakes
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 5
 
Ingredients
  • 2 cups of 1% milk
  • 6 cups of vanilla ice cream
  • 1 tsp peppermint extract, use more if you want more peppermint flavor
  • 1½ tsp green food coloring
  • Whipped cream, to your liking
Instructions
  1. Add the milk to a blender, then add in your ice cream, peppermint extract, and green food coloring. Blend until smooth.
  2. Pour into your serving glass and top with whipped cream. Serve with a straw, and suck away.