“The best summer treats are often the simplest ones.”
When summer arrives, few things are more tempting than something cool and creamy to enjoy between meals, after lunch, or simply when we fancy a little treat.
And there is no need to fill the freezer with shop-bought ice cream to enjoy it.
With ripe fruit, yoghurt, cocoa, cream, nuts and a few simple ingredients, we can make delicious homemade ice creams and frozen desserts using ingredients we know and can easily adapt to our own tastes.
It is not about making the perfect ice cream.
It is about having good options to hand.
Frozen fruit: the simplest ingredient
One of the easiest ways to make homemade ice cream is to start with fruit.
Bananas, strawberries, mango, berries, peaches and watermelon are some of the fruits that work particularly well.
The key is to use ripe fruit. When we freeze fruit that is already full of flavour and naturally sweet, we usually do not need to add much else.
You can cut the fruit into pieces before freezing it and keep it in an airtight bag or container. That way, it will be ready to blend whenever you fancy something cold and refreshing.
Bananas, in particular, have an especially creamy texture when frozen, making them an excellent base for homemade ice cream.
And if the fruit contains a lot of water, as watermelon does, we can make the most of that quality to create a light and refreshing sorbet.
Cocoa and chocolate: when you fancy something more intense
Pure cocoa powder can also be a great ingredient for homemade ice cream.
Frozen banana + pure cocoa is one of those simple combinations that can create a surprisingly creamy dessert.
And this is another place where we can play around with ingredients.
A little chopped dark chocolate, some hazelnuts, almonds or walnuts can add texture and make a simple ice cream feel much more special.
We do not need to add lots of ingredients. Sometimes, two or three good ingredients are more than enough.
For extra creaminess: yoghurt, double cream or coconut milk
If you are looking for a creamier texture, yoghurt is one of the easiest ingredients to add.
A full-fat natural yoghurt can be combined with frozen fruit to create a smooth and pleasant mixture without needing lots of ingredients.
You can use natural yoghurt, Greek yoghurt or, if needed, a plant-based alternative with a suitable texture and composition.
A little honey or date can add sweetness if the fruit is not sweet enough, although very often ripe fruit will provide all the sweetness you need.
A little tip: if you are using yoghurt and frozen fruit, let the fruit sit for a few minutes before blending it. It will be easier to achieve a creamy texture without having to add too much liquid.
As well as fruit and yoghurt, there are other ingredients that can help us achieve a creamier and more enjoyable texture.
Double cream can work particularly well when we are looking for something closer to traditional ice cream. It is not something we need to use every time, but it can be a good option when we want a richer, smoother texture.
Coconut milk can also be an interesting alternative. It adds creaminess and a subtle flavour that works particularly well with tropical fruits, cocoa or chocolate. Choose a coconut milk with a suitable consistency and give the tin or carton a good shake before using it, as the fattier part can separate during storage.
In both cases, there is no need to use large amounts. The idea is to find the right balance between creaminess, flavour and texture, while allowing the other ingredients to remain the stars of the recipe.
It is also worth remembering that cream and coconut milk are relatively energy-dense ingredients. They can absolutely be part of a homemade dessert and enjoyed normally, without needing to look for “light” versions packed with added ingredients.
At NourishMum, we like to come back to a fairly simple idea: the quality of the ingredients matters, but so does how often we eat them.
Nuts: flavour and texture
Almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios and cashews can completely transform homemade ice cream.
You can blend them into the mixture or add them at the end for little crunchy pieces throughout.
You can also use a spoonful of nut butter to add extra creaminess and flavour.
If you are making ice cream for young children, however, remember to adapt the texture and avoid whole pieces of nuts because of the risk of choking.
A few tips to make your homemade ice cream even better
Making homemade ice cream is not complicated, but a few little details can make all the difference.
1. Use ripe fruit
The more flavourful the fruit is before you freeze it, the better the final result will be.
2. Do not add too much liquid
This is particularly important when working with frozen fruit. Too much water can leave you with something closer to a block of ice than a creamy ice cream.
3. Freeze the fruit in small pieces
This will make it much easier to blend afterwards.
4. Taste before freezing
If the mixture needs a little more sweetness, it is better to adjust it before putting it in the freezer.
5. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving
Homemade ice cream can become quite hard after several hours in the freezer. Taking it out a few minutes before serving will give it a much more pleasant texture.
And, above all, do not be afraid to experiment.
Fruit that is a little too ripe to enjoy as it is can be perfect for freezing. A banana that nobody wants to finish can become the base of a delicious chocolate ice cream. A little yoghurt, some strawberries and a few nuts can become a simple dessert for the whole family.
Conclusion: There is no need to make it complicated
Perhaps that is the best thing about making ice cream at home.
We do not need a special machine, a long list of ingredients or to turn every preparation into a project.
Sometimes all we need to do is look at what we have in the kitchen and ask ourselves:
What can I freeze and combine to turn it into something delicious?
Because enjoying summer can also be about that: making the most of the food we have, keeping things simple and finding little pleasures in everyday ingredients.
And when those ingredients are ripe fruit, yoghurt, cocoa, nuts, cream, coconut milk or a good-quality dairy product, we have plenty of possibilities before we even reach for the freezer aisle.
Summer tastes better when we keep it simple.