Chef notes
Take on this easy homemade ice cream project by melting leftover Peeps and mixing them with rich ice cream. The best part? Made anytime after Easter, this Peeps-flavored treat can be frozen and enjoyed as the months get hotter.
Special equipment: Ice cream machine
Ingredients
- 2½ cups whole milk
- 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1½ cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2 vanilla beans, split with seeds scraped out, seeds and bean reserved (or 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste)
- 8 to 10 marshmallow Peeps
Preparation
1.In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of milk with the cornstarch to make a slurry. Whisk the cream cheese and salt together in a medium bowl until smooth. Set both mixtures aside.
2.In a large saucepan, combine the remaining milk, cream, sugar, corn syrup and vanilla seeds. Cook over medium-high heat until liquid comes to a rolling boil for approximately 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Return to heat and add Peeps, stirring constantly, until they’re completely melted and smooth. Bring back to a boil and cook, continuing to stir, until slightly thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes.
3.Gradually whisk hot milk and marshmallow mixture into the cream cheese until smooth. Add in vanilla beans and chill in fridge or freezer until cold, approximately 1 hour, or up to overnight in fridge.Remove vanilla beans. Pour ice cream base into ice cream machine and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions.
4.To make ice cream without an ice cream maker, pour chilled ice cream base into a freezer-safe glass or metal bowl, cover, and place in the freezer for approximately 45 minutes. Remove from freezer and beat on medium speed to break up any ice crystals. Recover and turn to freezer. Repeat every 30 to 45 minutes, increasing mixer speed as mixture continues to solidify. When the mixture is too frozen to mix, approximately 3 to 4 hours, it's ready to serve.
