This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
OK, I know that you can nip into a nearby supermarket and take your pick of what seems like an ever expanding range of manufactured ice creams. But, rather like growing your own fruit and vegetables, there is an extra special frisson of pleasure for both cook and recipient if it’s homemade. So why not try one of these all-time most popular ice cream recipes that we feature here on the A&G website – we think you’ll be delighted that you did. And, best of all, none of them require an ice cream machine…
MARY BERRY’S REAL HONEYCOMB ICE CREAM
While enjoying a coffee with my neighbour, Emma, she mentioned one of her favourite recipes – Mary Berry’s Real Honeycomb Ice Cream. Not only is it fun to make your own honeycomb (older kids will love helping on this one) it is also super scrummy. In fact, it is a hit with both kids and adults alike. No ice cream machine required and this heavenly sweet treat can, of course, be made in advance. CHECK OUT THE RECIPE
CHERRY ICE CREAM CAKE
I was pleasantly surprised at quite how much our lunch guests liked this recipe. So long as you make it in advance, giving it time to freeze, this no cook Cherry Ice Cream Cake is a treat to make and eat. One of our guests thought that Amaretti biscuits could be an interesting replacement for the sponge fingers. Next time I make this wonderful dessert I am going to try it. CHECK OUT THE RECIPE
BOOZY BLACKCURRANT ICE CREAM
Blackcurrants are intensely fruity and make a wonderful ice cream. Another recipe for you if you don’t happen to own an ice cream maker. All you need is a standard size loaf tin and frozen blackcurrants will serve you just as well as fresh. Best made in advance so you can freeze this Boozy Blackcurrant Ice Cream overnight and serve the next day. Very conveniently, you can take it out of the freezer and cut it into slices without waiting for it to defrost. CHECK OUT THE RECIPE HERE
EARL GREY & LAVENDER ICE CREAM
Neither Annabel nor I have an ice cream machine so she was thrilled when she found this recipe. It doesn’t matter if you have a machine or not and it incorporates two elegant flavours – lavender and Earl Grey tea. When Annabel made this she couldn’t stop dipping a spoon into it and having a little taster – (luckily there was still enough left to serve to her friends when they came around for lunch! CHECK OUT THE RECIPE
NUTTY BANANA ICE CREAM
Bananas are such a wonderful fruit, full of potassium (which can help lower blood pressure) but boy, do they go off quickly. This recipe is a fantastic way to use up any ripe bananas that are languishing in your fruit bowl. Especially as you will probably have the other three ingredients in your storecupboard/fridge. It’s a recipe for one, but easily scaled up. CHECK OUT THE RECIPE HERE