Cooking Lesson #587: Super Easy Ice Cream Bread

…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen

How you doin’? Two of my favorite things in life are really good bread and really great ice cream. I am especially partial to Ben & Jerry’s brand. Years ago, they were acquired by one of the giant international food companies, but they have kept up the quality of the ice cream and the inventiveness of the flavors and are still spot on. A while back I was hearing things about this new, easy-to-make Ice Cream Bread, and I needed to try it out.
 
At first, I thought it was just a joke, but I kept on reading more and more about it. I started asking all the important questions. Does it need any yeast or baking powder to rise? Does it have to be just plain vanilla ice cream? Can I use any mix-ins? I decided to give it a try.
 
The first time I made it, I had an unopened pint of B & J’s Cherry Garcia (cherry ice cream with cherries & fudge flakes) in the freezer. I quickly whipped up the batter and to my surprise, the bread actually turned out well! It was moist, yet fluffy. All of the ice cream flavors came through. And in future tests I discovered you shouldn’t use yeast or other leavening agents.
 
You can use most flavors of ice cream and you can add mix-ins in moderation in addition to those already in the ice cream such as fruit, chocolate chips and nuts. This is one of the easiest, most rewarding, fool-proof recipes I’ve come across, and it's fun for the kids, too! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
 
Ingredients 
1 pint ice cream—flavor of your choice
1-1/2 cups Self-Rising Flour
1/2 cup Chocolate Chips (any complimentary chip flavor, dark, milk or white chocolate)
 
Directions
1.    Preheat an oven to 350º F.
2.    Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
3.    In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix the ice cream and flour until combined.
4.    Scoop batter into the loaf pan.
5.    Bake for 40-45 minutes or until it springs back to the touch.
6.    Let the bread cool on a rack, slice and enjoy!
 
ChefSecret: For best results, use a premium grade of ice cream. I prefer Ben & Jerry’s; Häagen-Dazs also works well in this recipe.  Non-premium ice cream brands have much more air whipped into them and don’t deliver enough structure or flavor.
 
Quip of the Day: “If ever I am on life support, unplug me and plug me back in… see if that works.”
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross.

​#Baking #Breakfast #Snack #Dessert #Kids #IceCreamBread #Ben&Jerrys #HaagenDazs #2023Recipes #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
 
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