Homemade Cookies and Cream Ice Cream

When I got my ice cream maker years ago, I felt like a kid with a new toy. Except with this cool toy, everyone gets to play and all players win.

This trusty Cuisinart ice cream maker has been reliably churning out ice cream flavors like creamy mint chip and gorgeous very berry ice cream. Nearly all flavors, including creamy chocolate, have only 5 or less ingredients. Only real, natural ingredients – nothing you can’t pronounce.

The possibilities are endless with this little machine. The kids are fascinated by the occasionally overflowing ice cream that cascades over the sides when we’ve been overly enthusiastic with our add-ins (tip: follow the machine’s instructions and you’ll be fine.)

Everyone clamors for a spoonful of taste-testing with each new ice cream creation before it even gets transferred into a container. Can’t say I blame ’em, especially when it comes to my personal favorite flavor: cookies and cream.

Creamy Ice Cream, Without Eggs

This version of Cookies and Cream Ice Cream is a serious contender for World’s Best Ice Cream, with its creamy smooth sweetness and crunchy chocolate cookies strewn throughout.

You’ll be amazed at how rich and creamy this ice cream tastes, despite the fact that there are no eggs nor egg yolks here. You’ll appreciate not having to fuss with tempering eggs vigilantly over the stove.

This ice cream gets its creaminess simply from milk and cream. Whole milk is highly recommended for the creamiest texture possible. When the mixture is allowed to churn in a freezing-cold ice cream maker, cold air is worked into the mixture with every churn. The end result is a decadently rich ice cream that will set up beautifully.

Smart Strategies for Success

• Next time you have Oreo-type cookies in the pantry, set a few aside for this ice cream recipe. The cookies can even be frozen in an airtight zipper baggie until you’re ready to use them.
• The key to successful churning is starting with freezing-cold items. Be sure your ice cream maker’s churning bowl has been frozen solid prior to using. Don’t take it out of the freezer until the very last minute, when you’re ready to pour your ice cream mixture into it.
• 5 minutes ahead of time, place a metal mixing bowl and hand-whisk in the freezer. You’ll typically be using those to stir your ingredients together. This way, your milk and cream will stay very cold.
• For those of us who like to do things our own creative way (raising my hand): follow manufacturer’s instructions for add-ins. If you get over-zealous, you may end up with overflow.
• Have a container ready for transferring finished ice cream into. A rubber spatula will ensure every bit of ice cream gets transferred. Cover the container airtight and let rest in the freezer for an hour or two for ice cream to set firmly.
• There are 2-quart ice cream makers available now as well, if you’d like to get more ice cream out of each use.

Try these 3-ingredient butter shortbread cookies, too:

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