Ice Cream Base:
2 C cold cream
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
pinch of salt (optional, but brings out the flavor)
flavorings and toppings of choice (see below for all variations)
In a medium bowl whip the cold cream until stiff peaks form. Do not over-mix or it turns grainy.
In another medium bowl, mix sweetened condensed milk and pinch of salt. Gently mix in flavorings (ex: cocoa powder, strawberry jam, pistachio paste, mango puree etc.) Mix well. Do not add hard toppings yet.
Gently fold fluffy whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture. Keep it light and airy. Fold until everything is incorporated. Fold in mix ins now (ex: pretzel pieces, chocolate chips, marshmallows etc.)
Transfer to a loaf pan or ice cream box and cover and freeze 6 hours or overnight.
When planning to serve leave out at room temperature for 30 minutes until soft and scoopable.
Variations:
Always taste ice cream mixture after mixing in the add-ins and adjust to liking, before freezing.
Vanilla: Add 2 T vanilla bean paste to condensed milk.
Rocky Road: Whisk ⅓ C cocoa powder into the condensed milk, add 1 C mini marshmallows and ¼ C chopped almonds.
Mint Chip: Add 1 t peppermint extract, 1 t vanilla extract or paste, 6-10 oz chocolate chips (depending on preference) and 3 to 5 drops green food coloring (optional, adjust to tone)
Chocolate: Add 1 T vanilla and ⅓ C dutch cocoa powder into condensed milk.
Oreo: Add 1 T vanilla extract or paste to condensed milk. Fold in 1-1½ C crushed oreos.
Nutella Swirl: Add 1 T vanilla extract or paste to condensed milk. Swirl in ½ C nutella at the end.
Brownie Chunk: Add 1 T vanilla extract or paste to condensed milk. Add chopped brownies right before freezing.
Strawberry Swirl: Cook down 2 C sliced strawberries with ¼ C sugar into a thick jam (about 35 minutes on low-medium until thick and jammy stirring in between so it does not stick to pan). Cool completely. Add ⅛ C crushed dried strawberries for color. Fold and swirl in. Top with freeze dried strawberries or add graham cracker pieces for a strawberry graham cracker variation (optional) .
Peaches & Cream: Add 1 T vanilla extract or paste to condensed milk.Fold in diced ripe peaches plus 1 T lemon juice.
Mango: Add 1 T vanilla extract or paste to condensed milk. Blend mango into a puree and fold in.
Raspberry White Chocolate: Add 1 T vanilla extract or paste to condensed milk. Fold in 1 C fresh raspberries + 4 oz white chocolate chunks.
Cookie Dough: Add 1 T vanilla extract or paste to condensed milk. Fold in edible cookie dough pieces.
Cheesecake: Add 1 T vanilla extract or paste to condensed milk. Mix in 4 oz softened cream cheese and fold in 1 C broken graham cracker pieces.
Birthday Cake: Add sprinkles + 1 C cubed poundcake.
Pistachio: Add 1 T vanilla extract or paste to condensed milk. Add pistachio paste or finely chopped pistachios.
Espresso: Add 1 T vanilla extract or paste to condensed milk. Dissolve 1 T instant espresso in 1 T warm water, mix into base. Add ½ C dark chocolate chunks.
Salted Caramel: Add 1 T vanilla extract or paste to condensed milk. Swirl in 1 C caramel + 1 t flaky salt.
