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Isn’t it wild that you can make actual bread with just two ingredients? Yep, you heard me right! We’re talking about the magical world of ice cream bread. Seriously, I stumbled upon this gem and was completely hooked. It’s one of those surprisingly simple recipes that feels totally impressive, and it’s *perfect* for getting the kids involved in the kitchen. At Unfold Recipes, I’m all about making baking feel approachable and fun, and this ice cream bread totally delivers. It’s proof that you don’t need a long ingredient list or hours in the kitchen to create something yummy.
- Why You'll Love This Ice Cream Bread Recipe
- Gather Your Ingredients for Ice Cream Bread
- How to Make Ice Cream Bread: Step-by-Step
- Ingredient Spotlight: The Magic of Ice Cream
- Tips for Perfect Ice Cream Bread
- Serving and Storing Your Ice Cream Bread
- Frequently Asked Questions About Ice Cream Bread
- Estimated Nutritional Information for Ice Cream Bread
- Share Your Ice Cream Bread Creations!
Why You’ll Love This Ice Cream Bread Recipe
Seriously, why wouldn’t you love this ice cream bread? It’s a total game-changer and here’s why:
- Crazy Easy: Just two main ingredients! It doesn’t get simpler than this.
- Super Fast: You can whip this up in minutes, plus baking time, of course.
- Kid-Approved: Get those little helpers involved – they’ll love stirring and adding their favorite bits.
- Endless Flavor: Your ice cream flavor dictates the taste, so you can go wild!
- Deliciously Moist: The ice cream makes it wonderfully tender and yummy.
- Impressive Results: It looks and tastes far more complicated than it is.
Gather Your Ingredients for Ice Cream Bread
Alright, let’s get our magic potion ingredients together for this amazing ice cream bread! It couldn’t be simpler:
- 2 cups self-rising flour: This is what gives our bread its lift!
- 1 pint melted ice cream (any flavor!): Yep, that’s it! Make sure it’s fully melted. Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry – whatever your heart desires.
- Optional mix-ins: This is where you can get creative! Think chocolate chips, colorful sprinkles, chopped nuts, or even a pinch of cinnamon.
How to Make Ice Cream Bread: Step-by-Step
Okay, buckle up because making this incredible ice cream bread is ridiculously easy. It feels almost like a magic trick! We’re going to get our oven warmed up and our ingredients ready to play together. It only takes a few minutes to put it all together, and then the oven does the rest of the work. It’s one of those recipes that even if you’ve never baked before, you can totally nail it – no stress, just delicious results!
Preparing Your Ice Cream Bread Batter
First things first, make sure your ice cream is fully melted. You don’t want any frozen lumps in there! Grab a good-sized bowl and pour in your 2 cups of self-rising flour. Then, pour that lovingly melted ice cream right over the top. Now, grab a spoon or a spatula and just gently stir everything together. You want it *just* combined – seriously, don’t go crazy mixing it. A few little flour streaks are actually okay! If you’re adding fun extras like chocolate chips or sprinkles, give them a gentle fold in now. Easy peasy!
Baking Your Delicious Ice Cream Bread
Now, pour all that lovely batter into your prepared loaf pan. It might look a little… well, different than regular bread batter, but trust me, that’s part of the charm! Pop it into your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). It’ll need about 30 to 40 minutes to bake. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick you stick right in the middle comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes – this helps it firm up. Then, gently turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. The smell while it’s baking? Pure heaven!
Ingredient Spotlight: The Magic of Ice Cream
So, why does melted ice cream work so beautifully in this ice cream bread? It’s surprisingly simple! Ice cream already has the key components we need for a quick bread: fat (from the cream) and sugar. These guys already come perfectly blended and emulsified. The fat makes our bread tender and moist, while the sugar adds sweetness and helps with that lovely golden crust. Plus, whatever flavor you choose for your ice cream? That’s what your bread is going to taste like! So, a vanilla ice cream bread will be subtly sweet, while a mint chocolate chip one will be a whole different adventure.
Tips for Perfect Ice Cream Bread
You know, the beauty of ice cream bread is its forgiving nature, but a few little tricks can really take it from good to absolutely amazing. It’s more about embracing the spirit of experimentation than following rigid rules, which I just love! Think of these as gentle nudges to help you create your best loaf ever. It’s all about having fun and making something delicious!
Choosing the Best Ice Cream for Your Bread
Okay, so the ice cream you choose is your secret weapon for making tasty ice cream bread! Honestly, almost any flavor works, but I find that using a good quality, richer ice cream really makes a difference. Premium brands usually have more fat and sugar, which means a more tender and flavorful bread. For a super simple treat, vanilla is a classic. But oh, imagine a rocky road ice cream bread with all those chocolate chunks and marshmallows or a strawberry swirl for a pop of color and fruity flavor! Just make sure it’s fully melted, though. That step is key!
Customizing Your Ice Cream Bread
This is where the real fun begins with ice cream bread! Don’t be afraid to play around. If you’re using a vanilla or plain ice cream, folding in about a cup of chocolate chips or some colorful sprinkles is fantastic, especially for kids. You could also try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to spice things up, or even some chopped nuts for a little crunch. If you’re feeling adventurous, a swirl of jam or a light drizzle of caramel before baking can add another layer of yumminess. The possibilities are really endless!
Serving and Storing Your Ice Cream Bread
Once your yummy ice cream bread is all cooled down, it’s ready to be sliced and enjoyed! It’s honestly delicious on its own, but feel free to add a little butter or a dollop of cream cheese if you like. If you happen to have any leftovers (which is unlikely in my house!), just pop them into an airtight container. It should stay nice and moist at room temperature for a couple of days. If you want to keep it longer, the fridge is your friend!
Frequently Asked Questions About Ice Cream Bread
Got questions about this super fun ice cream bread? I totally get it! It’s a bit of a novelty, but don’t worry, it’s super straightforward. Here are some things you might be wondering:
Can I use low-fat or sugar-free ice cream?
While you *can* try it, I’d really recommend sticking to regular, full-fat ice cream for the best ice cream bread results! Low-fat or sugar-free versions often have less fat and sugar, which are key for that moist, tender texture we love. Your bread might turn out a bit drier or denser if you go the low-fat route. For this awesome 2-ingredient ice cream loaf, the quality and fat content of the ice cream really matter!
What happens if I don’t melt the ice cream completely?
Oh, this is a common little oopsie! If your ice cream isn’t fully melted, you’ll likely end up with lumps of frozen ice cream in your batter. This can make it tricky to mix evenly and can create pockets of unbaked ice cream in your finished loaf. For the best, most consistent ice cream bread, just give that pint a good melt beforehand. A quick 30-60 seconds in the microwave usually does the trick!
Can I make ice cream bread without self-rising flour?
This recipe is really designed around self-rising flour because it already has the leavening agents (baking powder and salt) built in. If you *only* have all-purpose flour, you can totally make your own self-rising flour substitute! Just add 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of all-purpose flour. So, for our recipe, you’d need about 2 cups of AP flour plus around 3 teaspoons of baking powder and a good pinch of salt. But honestly, using the pre-made self-rising flour makes this easy dessert bread recipe even simpler!
How much flavor does the ice cream really give?
A lot, actually! The ice cream is doing double duty here – it’s providing moisture, fat, *and* flavor. So, if you use a strong flavor like mint chocolate chip, you’ll definitely taste it. Vanilla is a milder base, perfect for letting mix-ins shine. We tried a strawberry swirl and it was so pretty and delicious! It’s why this is such a fun recipe for experimenting with different flavors.
Estimated Nutritional Information for Ice Cream Bread
Now, heads up, since there are so many fun ice cream flavors and mix-ins you can use with this ice cream bread, these numbers are just an estimate! But generally, a slice will give you around 200 calories, about 5g of fat, 4g of protein, and 35g of carbohydrates. It’s pretty darn delicious for so few ingredients, right?
Share Your Ice Cream Bread Creations!
Oh my goodness, I just *cannot* wait to see what amazing ice cream bread you all whip up! Did you try a wild flavor combination? Did the kids go absolutely bonkers for it? Please, please share your photos, your favorite mix-ins, or even just a quick note in the comments below. I’d love to hear about your successes – or even your funny little baking adventures! Sharing is caring, after all!
PrintIce Cream Bread
A simple two-ingredient quick bread made with melted ice cream and self-rising flour. This fun recipe is perfect for baking with kids and can be customized with your favorite mix-ins.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 40 min
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 pint melted ice cream (any flavor)
- Optional mix-ins: chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the self-rising flour and the melted ice cream. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- If using, gently fold in any optional mix-ins.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- The flavor of the bread will depend on the flavor of the ice cream you use.
- For a richer flavor, use a premium ice cream.
- Experiment with different mix-ins like fruit, candy, or spices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg