This gingerbread ice cream uses ready made custard as a base which makes homemade ice cream a quick and easy dessert. All you need is an ice cream maker and a few minutes to mix up the ingredients.
I love ice cream but I often find I don't just want to eat the flavours you can buy in the supermarket. I want the option to make my own ideas into creative and easy homemade desserts - like this homemade gingerbread ice cream! That is exactly what having an ice cream maker means to me!
You can make ice cream with cream and sugar or make a homemade custard as a base. The problem with just using cream is that the ice cream isn't as creamy as a custard based ice cream with eggs in. The problem with making your own custard is that it takes time and you have to leave it to chill before you can actually make the ice cream.
So, I've started with a good quality bought custard that's already sweetened and has been made with eggs. I find that this really cuts down on the time taken to make the ice cream and it makes a delicious creamy ice cream.
This gingerbread ice cream is perfect for Christmas but there's no reason why you can't make it at any time if you're a fan of ginger.
I used my new Cuisinart solo scoops ice cream maker. It's a little bit smaller than other ice cream makers I've had but it's still big enough to make ice cream at home on demand. If you store the inner bowl in the freezer, it's easy to make a quick dessert like this even on a weeknight!
Ingredient notes for gingerbread ice cream
To make this gingerbread ice cream you'll need:
- Custard - A good quality bought custard is fine.
- Gingerbread syrup - I used Monin syrup but any coffee syrup is fine. You can also experiment with other flavours of syrup too.
- Ground ginger - I add a little extra ginger to intensify the ginger flavour a little.
- Gingerbread biscuits - These are optional but they work really well to add texture to the ice cream. You can add the crushed biscuits when the ice cream has almost finished churning or you can just sprinkle them on top when serving.
How to make gingerbread ice cream
This gingerbread ice cream is really easy to make. First just mix together the custard, syrup and ground ginger.
Follow the instructions for your ice cream maker. For most ice cream makers you will need to set it up and switch it on so the paddle is turning. Then pour the custard into the ice cream maker. It will gradually thicken and turn into ice cream after about 20 minutes.
If you want you can pour in a few crushed ginger biscuit crumbs when the ice cream is almost ready.
You can eat it at this stage. It will have the texture of soft scoop ice cream. Alternatively you can put it in the freezer to harden up a little bit more.
Can you adapt the recipe?
Yes of course. This is a recipe for gingerbread ice cream but you can just use a different coffee syrup to get a different flavour. You could try caramel or hazelnut for example with crushed nuts a caramel swirl if you try caramel.
How to store and for how long
You can store this ice cream in the freezer for at least three months. If it is too hard when you take it out of the freezer, just leave it to stand for 10 minutes before scooping.
Can you make it without an ice cream maker?
Yes you can. If you dont' have an ice cream maker, put the ice cream straight in the freezer but keep taking it out and whisking it every 30 minutes as it freezes. It won't be quite as smooth but it will still be delicious.
Recipe
Gingerbread Ice Cream
Equipment
Ingredients
- 200 ml custard
- 45 ml gingerbread syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 30 g gingerbread biscuits crushed
Instructions
- Mix the custard, syrup and ground ginger together in a jug
- Turn the ice cream maker on and then pour in the custard.
- Let it churn for about 20 minutes.
- If you want, pour in some of the crushed ginger biscuits a couple of minutes before switching off the ice cream maker.
- Eat it straightaway as soft scoop or put in a freezer-proof container for about 2 hours to firm up a bit more.
- If you haven't added the crushed ginger biscuits to the ice cream, sprinkle some on top when serving instead.
Notes
Nutrition
More recipes you might like
If you like making ice cream then do check out my collection of frozen desserts. You might also like one of these recipes:
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Cassie Howden
I love that it was so easy to make the ice cream just by using a pot of custard. It literally took less than 5 minutes hands on time and the ice cream was so delicious. I added extra ginger for a bit more of a punch!
Corina Blum
I'm so pleased to hear that you loved the recipe! I'll definitely have to try adding a little more ginger next time.