Sunday, July 5, 2009

Sweet Melissa Sundays: Brown Sugar Vanilla Ice Cream with Brownie Chunks


This week's Sweet Melissa Sundays pick is Brown Sugar Vanilla Ice Cream, chosen by Karen of Karen's Cookies Cakes & More. I was also supposed to make chocolate or butterscotch sauce, but completely forgot. Oops! Instead, I chopped up a couple of Tribute to Katharine Hepburn Brownies from this week's upcoming Tuesdays With Dorie assignment, and happily added them to the just-made ice cream before storing it in the freezer to firm up.

I can be a bit of a cheapskate when it comes to my groceries. I've never bought a vanilla bean in my life (please don't yell at me!), and even though this recipe did call for one, I used my pure vanilla extract instead.

The recipe also called for skim milk powder, which I also skipped - I'm way too cheap to buy a big, expensive box of milk powder when this recipe only calls for 1/4 cup of it.

Other than that, the rest of the ingredients were typical baking staples: eggs, milk, cream.

Despite my frugal adaptations, this ice cream turned out beautifully. Melissa Murphy (the author of The Sweet Melissa Baking Book) promised that the skim milk powder would yield an extra-smooth and creamy ice cream, but my powder-free version was very creamy - it tasted sinful enough as it was. However, if I do ever find that I need to buy skim milk powder, I'll be sure to give it a try in this recipe.

In fact, I think this could become my staple vanilla ice cream recipe. The brown sugar added sweetness and depth of flavour, and the brown sugar-vanilla combination could be complementary to so many add-ins. Beyond brownies, I'm thinking chocolate bars, skor bits, or chopped m&ms. Yum.

Thank you, Karen, for your excellent choice! It's always fun to break out the ice cream maker. Visit Karen's blog for the recipe for the ice cream, as well as for the hot fudge sauce which I forgot to make.

14 comments:

k.a.r.e.n July 5, 2009 at 8:36:00 PM EDT  

Thanks for making this with me. Your cone looks fantastic!

If you ever want some skim milk powder, shoot me an email with your mailing addres.... i have a TON to share!

Pamela July 5, 2009 at 9:57:00 PM EDT  

The brownie chunks were a fantastic idea! I did enjoy this ice cream and will definitely be making it again.

Sarah July 5, 2009 at 10:05:00 PM EDT  

I enjoyed my ice cream with some Katharine Hepburn brownies, too - wow, what a combo!!! I love the idea of actually putting the brownie chunks in the ice cream as it churned.

Unknown July 6, 2009 at 12:04:00 AM EDT  

Wow, I bet this ice cream would be so good with brownie chunks! Wish I'd thought of that :) Nice job!

Megan July 6, 2009 at 12:05:00 AM EDT  

Awww - adding brownies was a fantastic idea - although really, anything would be great in this ice cream.

Hanaâ July 6, 2009 at 12:30:00 AM EDT  

Your ice cream looks great. Love the brownie chunks. I made ice cream sandwiches :o)

margot July 6, 2009 at 2:08:00 AM EDT  

It looks delicious with the brownie chunks! I admire your frugality, I succumb to splurging on too many extra ingredients for these baking groups.

Hindy July 6, 2009 at 7:16:00 AM EDT  

This sounds very good! I love the idea of adding the brownies.
At bulk stores have bought both vanilla bean pods ($2 ea) and dry milk powder. If you're near Toronto, you might find one.

matty July 6, 2009 at 10:19:00 AM EDT  

I loved the brownie chunks!

Jessica of My Baking Heart July 6, 2009 at 4:47:00 PM EDT  

The little cones are SO cute! I bet it was yummy with the brownies added in! :)

Anonymous July 6, 2009 at 5:58:00 PM EDT  

YOur ice cream looks wonderful. I love the addition of brownie chunks.

Amanda July 6, 2009 at 9:22:00 PM EDT  

Looks absolutely delish! Actually, just the NAME of the recipe alone makes me want to eat it :)

Katiecakes July 8, 2009 at 5:35:00 AM EDT  

Haha, I love how I see myself in your blog. I'm also such a cheapskate when it comes to things like vanilla beans, they were retailing at £5 in my local shop (around $8) for 2!!!

Your ice cream looks amazing with the brownie chunks!

Katie xox

Eliana July 13, 2009 at 10:38:00 AM EDT  

What a great idea to add brownie chunks? I like the way you think.

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