How to Make Pineapple Ice Cream

Churn pineapples into your ice cream.

Pineapple ice cream is a sweet summer treat that is easy to make at home. Making ice cream at home allows you to control what goes in and lets you churn the ice cream to your desired texture. Pineapples can easily be incorporated into your ice cream to give it a tropical flavor. With some simple kitchen preparation and a quick spin in your ice cream freezer, you can make this treat. Serve this delicious ice cream for a sweet snack or dessert today.

Things You'll Need

• 1 1/2 cups of whole milk
• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 cups of heavy cream, half and half, or light whipping cream
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup crushed pineapple or pineapple tidbits, packed in juice
• 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice
• Large mixing bowl
• Plastic wrap or lid for bowl
• Large spoon
• Ice cream maker
• Plastic food storage container

Instructions

1. Chill the freezer bowl of your ice cream maker overnight. It is essential that the canister be as cold as possible; otherwise, your ice cream will not freeze. Leave it in the freezer until step four.

2. At least an hour and a half before you want to serve your ice cream, mix together the milk, sugar, cream or half and half, vanilla, pineapple and pineapple juice in your mixing bowl. If you want a richer ice cream, choose cream over half and half. Pineapple tidbits will provide a chunkier pineapple presence in the finished ice cream.

3. Cover the ice cream mixture. Place your ice cream mixture into the refrigerator. Chill for at least an hour. Chilling ensures that the ice cream will freeze properly.

4. 

   Remove the freezer bowl from the freezer. As soon as you have set up the ice cream maker, pour in the ice cream mixture. Turn on the machine.

5. Let the ice cream machine churn for about twenty minutes. At this time, the ice cream should be very soft, like soft-serve. If you want a firmer texture, allow it to churn for up to 40 minutes. If this is still too soft, remove to a plastic food storage container and put it in the freezer. Any leftovers can also be stored this way.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer a custard-based ice cream, follow a recipe for that and add the pineapple and pineapple juice before chilling. Try mixing in coconut, pecans, or a pinch of cinnamon.

• Don't use a freezer bowl that has not frozen completely. The ice cream will not come together.

References

• Making Homemade Ice Cream without Eggs
• Gourmet Magazine Orange Pineapple Ice Cream Recipe

Resources

• Martha Stewart's Custard Based Ice Cream