Strawberry Ice Cream

Happy Father's Day!

Whenever there is a celebration during the summer months, I feel as though it is necessary to celebrate with a batch of homemade ice cream. Today was no exception. I have been craving  my grandma's super creamy, rich strawberry ice cream for quite some time. {okay - for a few years...I haven't made it in a long time} And today was the day that I decided to finally give in, and make it for us to enjoy. I am so glad that I did! I forgot how easy and delicious it is. It is different than any other strawberry ice cream recipe I have seen because it uses strawberry soda pop in it. The flavor it gives it is wonderful. I am picky and I do not like real strawberry pieces in my ice cream, like the recipe calls for. I just don't enjoy biting into a frozen strawberry. Of course being an old family favorite, it does call for raw eggs. You could substitute them with the pasteurized eggs easily though. 

After the ice cream was done churning, I scooped it out into clean, sterilized Mason jars. I filled them to just under where the ring screws on, covered the top with a piece of plastic wrap, and then tightened the lid before putting them in the freezer. It keeps them fresh without forming ice crystals, and one jar will feed my family of 3 for dessert...or snack :) I got about 5 jars out of this recipe, minus a small bowl, or two, that my daughter and I ate while getting it transferred.

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

{printable recipe}

4 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

2 pints half-and-half

2 cans {3 cups/24oz} strawberry soda pop

1 cup chopped fresh or frozen strawberries

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla.

Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and the half-and-half while continuing to whisk the mixture.
Gradually stir in the strawberry soda pop, so it doesn't fizz.

Whisk until the sugar is dissolved.

Pour into the ice cream maker.

Add in the strawberries, if desired.

Freeze according to your machine's instructions.

After freezing, remove the paddle and transfer the ice cream to the freezer to let sit and ripen.