Summer is basically why ice cream exists. Or, maybe, ice cream is why summer exists... whatever. Point is, we rounded up the easiest ice cream recipes you can make at home (with an ice cream maker, anyway), some of which only require 10 minutes of prep time, and a little bit of patience while the mixture freezes.
But you won't think twice about the meager time commitment when you realize you don't have to leave your divinely air-conditioned apartment in search of Mister Softee.
Graham cracker ice cream
Our suggestion: s’mores this up with a drizzle of fudge and a handful of marshmallows. Or eat it plain, it’s your life. Recipe here.
Brownie caramel swirl ice cream
If you don’t have brownies on hand, you might as well make those too -- special, if you dare. Recipe here.
Irish whiskey ice cream with salted caramel
Boozy ice cream is the best kind of ice cream. Don't you agree?
White chocolate chunk with lavender ice cream
Floral notes are risky if heavy-handed, but the right amount will make any dish sing. Recipe here.
Vegan toasted coconut and pistachio ice cream
Coconut milk and a spoonful of bourbon make this ice cream extra creamy, and totally dairy-free. Recipe here!
Sweet corn ice cream
It’s practically a vegetable, right? Get the recipe.
Strawberry coconut ice cream
It may have half the calories of regular ice cream, but regular ice cream has a boatload of calories, so take this recipe for what it's worth: super simple and tasty. Recipe here!
Salted caramel hot chocolate ice cream
No egg custard base for this baby, just a saucepan is all you need. Get the recipe!
Guinness double chocolate chunk ice cream
The chocolatey notes of a stout beer complement ice cream remarkably well, and we’re pretty happy about it. Here's the recipe.
Pomegranate and dark chocolate chunk ice cream
This reduced-fat, gluten-free ice cream demands a two-scoop serving BECAUSE YOU CAN. Recipe here.
Chocolate fudge goat cheese ice cream
Goat cheese... IN ice cream?! You know you wanna know more...
Sweet corn ice cream with candied bacon
It may seem odd that an ice cream flavor is centered around two savory ingredients, but the salty-sweet dance adds a lot of depth. Here's the recipe.
Apple pie ice cream
This apple-filled concoction is smothered in salted honey caramel sauce, as it should be. This recipe uses real apples!
Christine Fischer is a freelance writer dedicated to a strict diet of Champagne, cookies, and the occasional pizza. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.