There is a smile about to happen. It is one of those special smiles. You know the kind. It's one that often has a certain glow to accompany it. Those smiles occur when someone receives a compliment, gift, or news that truly brightens their day. Seeing the smile only brings on one of your own, especially if you caused it to happen. My husband will have one of them I let him know there is peanut butter ice cream ready for him to enjoy.
The hint of ice cream being made was on the counter. I forgot to put away the pieces to the ice cream maker. They were washed and set aside to dry. My plan to put them away before they were spotted was sidetracked by a distraction. What distraction? Who knows. Or it was that I just plain forgot. No matter because it's all good in the end. He will get his birthday treat and I'll get to see that smile on his face. It will remind me of the one I got last year by making peanut butter pie.
Peanut butter ice cream is made the old-fashioned way. The base of heavy cream, half-and-half, eggs, and sugar is cooked until it reaches the right temperature. Peanut butter and vanilla are whisked in and it is chilled overnight. The next day it is churned in an ice cream maker. It then sits in the freezer for a brief time before it is ready to eat. It does take some time and effort but the soft, creamy, peanut buttery goodness is worth every bit of it.
What have you done lately to make someone smile? Was it by giving a special treat? I think giving smiles is something to be done often. It's great to brighten someone's day. So share a smile today and pass along a little happiness. It's such a fun thing to do.
Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs plus 1 egg yolk
- 1 ½ cups half-and-half
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, and egg yolk until lighter in color.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the half-and-half and whipping cream to 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat. Use a ladel to add a little of the cream to the eggs/sugar and whisk to combine. Continue adding cream until at least half has been mixed with the eggs.
- Add the eggs/cream mixture back to the pan and whisk to combine.
- Over medium heat, cook the mixture until it reaches 170 to 175 degrees F, stirring constantly.
- Pour the mixture into a medium bowl. Add the vanilla and peanut butter and whisk to combine until smooth.
- Cover the mixture directly on top with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Cool to room temperature. Once it has cooled, place it in the refrigerator to chill overnight.
- Pour chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer ice cream to a container and place it in the freezer for at least one hour or overnight.
Your husband and I have a lot in common. Peanut butter treats put a giant smile on my face, too. 🙂
I actually had three jars of peanut butter in my pantry the other day. I'm down to two now. We are both such peanut butter lovers.
This ice cream would totally put a smile on my face. It looks creamy and delicious.
It is soft and creamy for sure. Cooking the base and the heavy cream keeps it from getting hard in the freezer.
Wow, this recipe looks so good! I love ice cream made in this style with classic ingredients. 🙂
Let's see, and what have I done to make someone smile? I made my hubby BBQ pulled pork sandwiches last night from restaurant leftovers. He was really into that 🙂
I'd smile over a BBQ pulled pork sandwich too. Yum.
I'd be smiling too if I knew I'd get to eat your creamy, luscious, peanut-buttery ice cream! I really wish I had the room to store an ice cream maker because I love the idea of making it the old fashioned way. The two ingredient method I've been using is good but it's still not the same as "real" ice cream, if you know what I mean. This looks fabulous, Renee, and your photos are wonderful.
I keep the bowl of the ice cream maker in my freezer all the time. The other parts don't take up much room. If you have the room in your freezer for the bowl then the rest is easy to store.
Now I'm smiling.
Because peanut butter ice cream=happiness
Thanks Kayle and I'm glad I could bring a smile to your face too.
I absolutely love peanut butter ice cream! Especially when you turn them into milkshakes.
My husband will make milkshakes with the ice cream. He loves them too.
Such a lovely post, Renee <3 So filled with heartfelt appreciation for your husband. And a scrumptious pb ice cream recipe!
Thanks Kim and I do appreciate and love my husband very much.
I never made peanut butter ice cream. What a fantastic idea, Renee. I bet your hubs had huge smile. I don't blame him! 🙂
Oh yes, it was a big smile and there have been several more since then.
Giving food away usually does the trick of making people smile.. This ice cream is beyond gorgeous Renee, and it looks so innocent!
Yea, it looks innocent. All is good in moderation though. A little ice cream every now and then is a great thing.