master-cooks | Steal Barbra Streisand's Marshmallow Hack For Homemade Ice Cream

Barbra Streisand's clever marshmallow hack offers a delightful twist to making homemade ice cream, perfect for those who crave a creamy, luscious treat without the hassle of traditional methods. This technique involves using marshmallows as a secret ingredient to achieve a smooth, velvety texture without the need for eggs or an ice cream machine. The marshmallows melt seamlessly into the mixture, adding both sweetness and a satisfying creaminess, while also acting as a stabilizer that helps prevent ice crystals from forming. To create this delightful dessert, simply melt marshmallows into a mixture of your chosen cream, milk, and flavorings, such as vanilla or chocolate. Once combined, allow the mixture to cool before transferring it to the freezer. Throughout the freezing process, gently stir the mixture every 30 minutes to ensure a uniform texture. The result is a rich, indulgent ice cream with a unique, subtle flavor that sets it apart from store-bought varieties. Streisand's marshmallow hack is not only simple and effective but also provides a charming, nostalgic taste that evokes memories of roasting marshmallows over a campfire. This method is ideal for anyone seeking a quick and easy way to enjoy homemade ice cream with minimal effort.

Preparing your marshmallow coffee scoops

To prepare this ice cream, start by heating a cup of milk in a large pot and mixing in 24 marshmallows until they are completely melted (batching can help prevent overflow). While Barbra Streisand adds one teaspoon of instant coffee, you can choose to skip this step for a more classic marshmallow flavor, or even substitute with your own ingredients like cocoa powder. Streisand recognized the impact that a warm marshmallow mixture would have on stiffly whipped cream (the other essential ingredient), so she allowed it to cool before gently folding the two together and transferring the mixture into a freezer-safe container.

Feel free to get creative with your additions before freezing. While Streisand liked to enjoy her ice cream with pretzels, likely because the saltiness balanced the sweetness of the marshmallows and the bitterness of the coffee, you can add salt directly to your mixture or incorporate extracts like vanilla or almond for added depth. For a flavor reminiscent of delicious s'mores, mix in crushed graham crackers and swirl in a bittersweet fudge ripple, which also helps balance the sweetness of the base.

After freezing, toppings such as toasted walnuts or almonds can provide a delightful contrast, adding earthy flavors and crunch. Alternatively, you could drizzle on a bold and spicy topping like hot honey for an extra kick. Much like Streisand herself, this creamy and flavorful dessert is truly timeless.

Steal Barbra Streisand's Marshmallow Hack For Homemade Ice Cream

Preparing your marshmallow coffee scoops

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