Ice Cream

I had to give up processed sugars in 2007, and I went without sweets for a long time. Human physiology is amazing, and my tastes adapted quickly. (Especially considering that I used to start breakfast with a handful of M&Ms.) After a few months, milk tasted so sweet to me it made me nervous to drink it.

Then my mother gave my eldest kid an ice cream maker. Although baking with only liquid sweeteners (honey, maple syrup, agave) is a huge challenge, ice cream is easy! I recommend the type of maker with a chilled bowl you keep in your freezer. We use the Cuisinart, and have an extra bowl in case we want ice cream 2 days in a row.

Basic ice cream

2 cups heavy cream*
1 cup milk
1/4 C agave syrup
1 t vanilla

Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks. Stir in the other ingredients, and follow the directions for your ice cream maker.

Variations:
for Chocolate, add 1/4 C cocoa powder. You can also chop up a square of unsweetened baker's chocolate and throw it in.
For Fruit, puree 1/2 C of fruit and add another cup of pieces. (Whole, if berries, chopped, if peaches.)

*Be careful and read your labels! Fat-free "cream" is made of corn syrup and oil, and is not food. Don't eat it!