Vanilla Custard Kefir Ice Cream
My not-so-little-anymore guy (who is almost now twice a big brother) is a little sensitive to cow’s milk. We have turned to almond milk for the occasional hot chocolate and cereal. The one cow product he can still have is Kefir. It is a far better probiotic than traditional yogurt, and it is 99% lactose free!
This totally reminds me of the tart frozen yogurt from all those self-serve yogurt shops. The great thing about this version is that you actually get the probiotic benefits! I just had to figure out how to warm the eggs enough to make it “safe” and still have raw kefir.
If you haven’t heard of Kefir I am so glad to share it with you! You can make it yourself if you want to start getting into cultures — it is really simple, and just takes a bit of time every other day. Or you can buy {and learn about} it here. Also, most health food stores — and even Walmart — carries it now!
Ingredients:
2 Cups Plain Kefir
2 Tablespoons Homemade Vanilla Extract (with the specks)
3 Backyard Egg Yolks
4 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
How To:
Measure out 1/2 cup of the kefir, vanilla and syrup, and pour into a sauce pot. Slowly heat up the base then turn the heat down just so it is warm – NOT simmering or scalding. Separate yolks of 3 eggs – you can put these in the measuring cup you have already dirtied. SLOWLY pour the warm base into the yolks and whisk.
Don’t toss those whites! Either use them in an egg white recipe or just add to the next scrambled eggs you make!
Add the eggy base back to the pot and warm it again. While you are warming really whisk it till it is a little frothy. Allow to cool back down to room temperature. Once it has cooled down, pour the rest of the kefir in and whisk thoroughly. Transfer to a glass container, cover and place in the fridge to chill.
Once chilled, put it through your ice cream machine {here’s the compact one I have that works wonderfully}!
Now you are done! Egg yolks are warmed through, and three-quarters of your kefir is still “raw!”
Enjoy on it’s own, add chocolate syrup, or fresh fruit. Better yet, make some Apple Crisp a la mode!
This looks wonderful, Sara! I haven’t tried using kefir to make ice cream. What a great idea! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Kelly – it is so yummy! I even let him have this, bananas, and peanut butter for lunch this week – cause it is basically yogurt slightly sweetened with a little added egg! He thought is was quite a treat!
This looks delicious! My friend just bought some milk kefir grains… and she’ll have some to share in a few weeks! I am definitely pinning this one to try soon! 🙂