You Only Need One Ingredient For Homemade Ice Cream (And It's Probably Already In Your Fridge)

Making ice cream at home can be a lot of fun, but many opt for store-bought options instead because it saves ingredients, time, and money. But what if we told you there was a single ingredient that you probably already have on hand that you can make into flavorful frozen desserts at home? It's creamy, affordable, and available at nearly every supermarket. All you need to create delicious homemade ice cream is coffee creamer. 

Our ever-growing coffee culture is responsible for the many varieties of creamers on the market. After perusing the refrigerated section at your grocery store, you'll likely find all kinds of flavored creamer like peppermint mocha, pumpkin spice, cinnamon coffee cake, and sweet cream, just to name a few. You'll find that most of these options will easily translate into dynamic ice cream flavors, without any other add-ins.

If you're worried that you need an ice cream maker to pull this recipe off, think again. There's an easy trick that just requires filling a plastic bag with ice and salt. Simply add your coffee creamer to a separate bag and securely seal it. Lastly, pop it into the original ice bag, and shake. Try this trick and you'll have yourself some homemade soft serve ice cream in anywhere from about five to 15 minutes. If you want a firmer result, the best way to achieve this is by adding your creation to a sealable container and popping it in the freezer to set further. Once you've got this technique down, all you need to perfect next is making and shaping crispy homemade ice cream cones for serving. 

Though coffee creamer on its own might have all the flavor and richness you're looking for, some methods call for the addition of heavy cream. This ingredient can be whipped together with the rest of your recipe before setting in the freezer. Other recipes suggest additional elements like sweetened condensed milk, as well as Cool Whip. These components can each add a bit more dimension to your homemade frozen dessert, giving it a creamier texture and more nuanced flavor. 

If you're looking for a little caffeine boost, you can incorporate instant coffee into your mix as well, which will add flavor without diluting the recipe. This ingredient is part of the perfect way to make a no-fuss coffee ice cream. Other foodies online recommend whipping instant coffee with hot water and powdered sugar before mixing in your other ingredients. Regardless of which method you use, garnish with cinnamon or nutmeg for a warming kick of spice that will round off the sweetness. 

Don't forget that your dessert can be made more texturally interesting with additional toppings and sauces. If you're using a pumpkin spice coffee creamer, try allspice powder in your mix and chocolate drizzle on the finished product. For peppermint mocha, think whipped cream on top with mini chocolate chips and crushed candy canes to garnish. For a more neutral variety like sweet cream, try mixing in bananas or strawberries to give it a bit more texture and fruity flavor. And if you're stuck on which creamer to try first, check out our ranking of 10 Chobani coffee creamers.