Homemade Ice Cream. {no machine required!}

The university that I work for and graduated from has a great New Student Orientation, which not only introduces new students to each other, but familiarizes them with campus and introduces them to alumni at an ice cream social. Cody and I love to get to be a part of the activities {plus it's nice to enjoy the hard work of the recruiting team I'm on!}

Now, I have a confession to make: This is the 5th year I've served ice cream to this event, but it's the first time I've actually made homemade ice cream. {there's a heavy emphasis on providing homemade ice cream} Usually, I buy Blue Bell vanilla ice cream, mix in crushed Butterfinger bars and then place it into a ice cream maker container. It may be wrong, but I always got great compliments on my ice cream!

This year I was dedicated to making homemade ice cream after seeing a recipe on Kevin & Amanda.


For two quarts you'll need:

2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
1 14 oz Can Eagle Brand
Mix Ins for Ice Cream Flavor

For our alumni ice cream social, I went with a classic Cookies and Cream and doubled the recipe.

Take your whipping cream and pour into your mixing bowl.



Mix until a cream is formed:



{I'll be honest: this was my first time to use whipping cream. I was afraid to mess it up. As I turned the mixer on high, it was slinging the cream out, so I covered my bowl with a plastic bag to keep it in. Eventually it will work-  Don't second guess yourself!}

See?



In a separate bowl, pour your Eagle Brand, then add your mix ins. {crushed Oreos in this case.}



After those are mixed well, stir in the whipped cream until it's all combined.



Place into your freezer and freeze at least 6 hours.



I was definitely worried to try this recipe out for the first time with such an important event. The best thing I noticed about this ice cream was how solid it was. We arrived at the ice cream social at 8:45, and at 9:45 when we were still serving ice cream, it was still frozen together. I was SO impressed! Homemade ice cream is usually homemade milk pretty quickly! Taste wise, this ice cream is DELICIOUS! When I tasted a small bit of the cookie's and cream, it reminded me of Braum's Ice Cream.

Knowing that my parents were coming into town, that we love to frequent Coldstone Creamery when they're here and that it can get a little expensive (at least $20 for the 4 of us to get ice cream!!) I wanted to try the recipe again with their favorite flavors. I used the same heavy whipping cream and Eagle Brand base, but I included a tablespoon of vanilla, a tablespoon of cinnamon and crushed Heath Bars to make Cinnamon Ice Cream with Heath Bar chunks.

Y'all. This recipe tasted exactly like what we would have gotten from Coldstone.  Seriously. This is hands down the best homemade ice cream recipe I've ever had.  I doubt we will ever end up purchasing an ice cream maker because this is so simple! If you're looking to make a fun treat for your family, try this ice cream tonight!

Be sure to check out Kevin & Amanda for some of the great ice cream recipes she came up with!