Red Hot Firecracker Ice Cream

 The other day my son told me his girlfriend was so good to him.

He's five.


(Eyebrow-raising is allowed here.)


After I got over being speechless (This has never happened before.  It was an odd feeling),  I asked him what he meant by that, and he said: "Well she's not Trouble like that song on the radio about girlfriends who are just TROUBLE."



T. Swift...  What would I do without you to teach my children about dating??

Seriously.  I don't know.

Will you write a book?

 


This recipe was inspired by a flavor I saw listed on the wall at a local frozen yogurt store.  As soon as I read it I knew it needed to happen for Valentine's Day, so I melted Red Hots into my favorite vanilla ice cream recipe and studded it with more Red Hots.  We love it!  It is cinnamony without burning your face off, since it is sweetened up by the ice cream.  The Red Hot studs give it a little kick and you can adjust the "hotness" by adding more or less of those.  Definitely kid friendly and significant-other friendly.

Except only if they're not Trouble.

Obvs.

Red Hot Firecracker Ice Cream

  

*Note- This recipe uses 2/3 cup of Red Hots total.  One of the movie theater boxes from Walmart (98 cents) is plenty for the whole recipe, including garnish.  I think a box yields about a cup.

-2 cups heavy cream (divided)
-1 cup sugar
-pinch of salt

-1/3 cup red hots
-1 cup whole milk
-2 tsp vanilla

-1/3 cup red hots for garnish

Combine 1 cup of cream, sugar, salt, and 1/3 cup Red Hots in a saucepan over medium low heat.  Whisk until Red Hots are completely dissolved. This may take a little while, so be patient.   

Remove pan from heat. Stir in second cup of cream, milk, and vanilla. Cover mixture well and refrigerate overnight.  (This is important-  the first time I made this I didn't chill it enough and it didn't whip up in my ice cream maker, it was like soup.  If you use an electric ice cream maker, also make sure your bowl is frozen solid, usually 48 hours, before using.)

Freeze ice cream in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions.  I use an electric and it takes about 35 minutes.  

When done, use a spatula to fold in 1/3 cup red hots.  (You can certainly add more if you want a hotter flavor, probably about 1/2 cup total.)

Scoop ice cream into a covered freezer-safe container.  If I have leftover Hots I will sometimes sprinkle these on top, just because it makes me happy. 

Freeze ice cream several hours or overnight before serving.