An infinitely adaptable recipe to make ice cream for one (or two if you are feeling generous) in a 1 pint jar. Simple and easy to make, you will have the kids (and you) anxiously checking the freezer to see the final results.

Ingredients

1 cup heavy whipping cream or heavy cream (or coconut cream)

2 tablespoons brown sugar (you can use any granulated sugar but it can lack the added moisture and the lovely caramel taste)

3 tablespoons cream cheese (makes the ice cream smooth, creamy and ‘scoopable’ You can skip it, but it will be slightly less tangy and less creamy)

2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-4 tablespoons other flavouring, fruit pieces or puree, nut butter, etc. If using a nut butter, can omit cream cheese or sweetened condensed milk but not both.

2 tablespoons mix-ins chocolate, cookies, cake, sprinkles, nuts, etc

Directions

In a clean, wide-mouth mason jar, combine the cream, cream cheese, condensed milk, sugar and vanilla extract. Insert one whisk into an electric hand mixer. Beat the ingredients until smooth and thick. Avoid overmixing.

OR: Place all ingredients into the jar, twist the lid closed tightly, and shake! This is the part that’s really fun to get the kids involved with. You want to shake, shake, shake until the mixture has about doubled in volume and is about the thickness of pancake or brownie batter. It should take about 5 minutes (don’t over shake though as it can split).

Pop the whole jar in the freezer. Try to remember to shake the jar every 30 minutes or so, but if you don’t, it’s no big deal. Come back to your jar in 2-3 hours, and you will have delicious, silky ice cream ready to enjoy with your favourite chocolate sauce, whipped cream, chopped nuts, and other toppings!

Flavourings: The sky is the limit! The beauty of this is that you can taste as you go along. Like lemon zest or juice? Add it. Or orange or strawberries. Add cinnamon if you like it. You could add any nut butter you like or Nutella or Oreo pieces (keep in mind though that once frozen flavours are a little muted so go a bit strong here).

Note: Use a good ratio of fat: Without the fat the creaminess will be lost and you will just have hardened heavy cream.

For more fabulous healthy ice cream recipes visit Blended Bites