If you’ve always wanted to make ice cream at home but have no intention of shelling out for a clunky machine, there’s hope for you yet. It’s time to shake, roll, whip, blend, and scrape your way to ice cream heaven with these five machine-free ways to make this chilly treat. Use one of these methods with one of our delicious ice cream recipes.
Method #1: Roll some coffee cans. Put ice cream base ingredients in a small coffee can, then seal the can and place inside a large coffee can. Add rock salt and enough ice to fill up the large can completely. Seal the large can, then roll it back and forth for about 30 minutes. Hint: Kids will happily do this while you relax with a cocktail.
Method #2: Shake in plastic bags. Put ice cream base ingredients in a medium sized plastic bag, then seal the bag. Place the bag inside a large plastic bag filled with ice and salt. Seal the large bag, then shake it for 10 minutes.
Method #3: Make an ice bath. Combine ice cream base ingredients in a medium sized glass bowl. Place the bowl inside a large bowl plastic filled with ice and rock salt. Using an electric hand mixer, whip the mixture for 10 minutes. Cover with a towel and place the bowls together in the freezer for 45 minutes. Remove bowls from the freezer and whip the mixture for 5 minutes. Then press a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the mixture and place the bowls back in the freezer until the ice cream is solid.
Method #4: Use a blender. Combine ice cream base ingredients and blend for about 2 minutes. Pour the mixture into a freezer safe container. Cover container with its lid and place in the freezer overnight.
Method #5: Get a budget-friendly freezer bowl. Combine ice cream base ingredients in a glass jar and mix with an immersion blender. Pour mixture into a freezer bowl, then using a wooden spoon or spatula, scrape the mixture down the sides of the bowl until the ice cream solidifies. ( By Alessandra Bulow from Epicurious.com )