Patriotic Fourth of July Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Recipes

My parents carried on a family tradition of hosting Fourth of July pot luck parties for years and their favorite contribution that had everyone in line as soon as the hotdogs and chicken and burgers were consumed was ice cream. You bet, we all screamed for ice cream.

To have a popular red, white and blue patriotic theme for the celebration of our country's Declaration of Independence, this basic ice cream recipe will be sure to please. I've provided some patriotic red, white and blue variations that are sure to make everyone struggle over which to choose.

Basic Ice Cream Recipe (2 gallon recipe)

1 package of pudding, cooked with the listed ingredients (milk, egg), add extra milk to ensure the pudding stays thin and doesn't get lumpy

6 teaspoons of vanilla (lots is best, be heavy handed and add vanilla bean too, if available)

½ gallon of whipping cream (2 quarts)

½ gallon of half and half (2 quarts)

2 ½ cups sugar (this is lighter than most recipes-it saves calories and is actually tastier)

½ teaspoon salt

Ice Cream Preparation Directions

Cook the pudding following directions. One it is finished heating, beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla and half of the cream in the cooking pan or in the ice cream maker can. When the sugar has dissolved, add the remaining cream and half and half to within ½ inch from the top of the can. Install the churn blade, attach the lid and place inside the churning tub.

Ice Cream Maker Supplies and Directions

3+ cups of rock salt

2 or 3 bags of ice

After the ice cream has been prepared and put inside the churning tub, put about 3" of ice at the bottom of the tup. Add one cup of rock salt spread over the ice. Fill the churning tub ¾ full of ice and add one more cup of salt. Pack the churning tub full of ice and add a third cup of salt. Start churning. Keep the churning tub tilted slightly with the water spout over the sink, the flow of briny water is what helps make the ice cream set up. Add additional ice and rock salt as needed for the ice cream to set up.

Once the ice cream has set up, remove the churn blade, careful to not get any salt water inside the ice cream. Plug the hole in the cover with a paper towel, then put back into the churning tub. Pack the churning tub full with ice and salt to hold for when you are ready to serve dessert.

Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Variation # 1: White Chocolate Ice Cream

Melt 8 ounces of white chocolate while cooking the pudding.

Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Variation #2: White Amaretto Ice Cream

Replace 1/2 cup of milk with 1/2 cup of Amaretto liquer.

Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Variation #3: Fresh Raspberry and Blueberry Topping or Ice Cream

Stir ¼ cup raspberries or blueberries per cup of ice cream to make red and blue ice cream. Add as topping after the ice cream is stirred, or half way through churning the ice cream. Use less cream. Use red and blue food coloring drops to make a visually stunning patriotic statement.

Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Variation #4 Simple Patriotic Statement

Decorate ice cream servings by adding a paper American flag.