The COVID-19 pandemic has made this a hard summer. That explains why ice cream sales are up. We all need a treat at the end of a hot day, especially when we can’t see the people we love as much as we’d like.  With all the extra time we have at home, you might want to try your hand at making homemade ice cream. While this science project is edible, results may vary. If things don’t go your way, you can always order ice cream delivery from Gopuff’s ice cream shop.

It’s uniquely gratifying to eat food you’ve made with your own hands. It’s also uniquely delicious. You can choose your favorite flavors and products to create a bespoke ice cream just for you. Or make a whole batch and drop it off for someone you care about with all their favorite toppings included. Making your own ice cream is also a great option for people who are vegan or sensitive to dairy. Just keep in mind that you might need an ice cream maker before you begin.

Below are some of our favorite homemade ice cream recipes. When the world feels out of control during the pandemic, make something. Make calls to loved ones. Make art. Make jokes. And if you want to treat yourself, make homemade ice cream.

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Source: Barefeet in the Kitchen

Let’s start with a basic that doesn’t taste basic: Homemade vanilla ice cream. You can start with the classic vanilla base, then spiff it up with baked goods, jams, fresh fruit and other treats.  

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• Whole milk

• Heavy cream

• Sugar

• Sea salt

• Vanilla extract or vanilla bean

• Optional: Soft brownies, cookies or blondies

Easy Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream

Source: The Cooking Foodie

This homemade chocolate ice cream recipe is so simple that we watched the video and a bowl magically appeared in our hands. At least we wish it did. When you make this recipe, be prepared for intense creaminess.

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• Sweetened condensed milk

• Heavy cream

• Cocoa powder, unsweetened

• Optional: Mini chocolate chips

Salted Pretzel Ice Cream with Chocolate and Peanut Butter

Source: Cake Over Steak

Once you’ve learned how to make homemade ice cream with the classic flavors, you can start to mix it up. We love this salted pretzel ice cream with chocolate and peanut butter that Cake Over Steak adapted from A Cozy Kitchen’s cookbook. It’s savory, sweet, creamy and crunchy all at once.

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• Whole milk

• Small salted pretzels

• Egg yolks

• Sugar

• Heavy cream

• Dark chocolate, finely chopped

• Peanut butter or almond butter

Concord Grape Sorbet With Rosemary And Black Pepper

Source: Epicurious

How beautiful is Concord grape sorbet? We want to wear this color almost as much as we want to eat this dessert. Make this aesthetically pleasing treat for your boo or your friend who loves purple. 

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• Concord grapes

• Honey

• Rosemary

• Whole black peppercorns

No Churn Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream

Source: Minimalist Baker

Has your life been blessed with a vegan or dairy-free ice cream that’s just as good as dairy ice cream? We hope so. Regardless, we’ve got this no churn homemade vegan chocolate ice cream for you. You don’t need an ice cream maker or dairy to make a tasty, stomach-friendly ice cream at home.

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• Coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk

• Unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder

• Pitted dates

• Vanilla extract

• Unsweetened almond milk

Peach Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles

Source: Jessica Gavin

If you’re looking for a more nutritious frozen treat for your last days of summer 2020, grab fresh fruit, honey and Greek yogurt for a popsicle that combines probiotics, vitamins and antioxidants. Your kids will thank you for making them a dessert that’s both yummy and healthy. Once they stop gobbling these, of course.

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• Strawberries

• Peaches

• Honey

• Vanilla Greek yogurt