For Fluffier Store-Bought Ice Cream, Grab This Fridge Staple

If you've ever wondered what makes 'premium' ice cream premium, the use of high-quality ingredients, like heavy cream, and having a high fat content play a big part. But can you make a fluffier and more premium-feeling product without splurging on the most expensive brands? Luckily, you can with the help of a simple fridge staple: heavy cream.

To elevate store-bought ice cream, whip cold heavy cream until you can form peaks (it's important that you do not use room-temperature heavy cream). Then stir the whipped cream into slightly softened ice cream. Chef Melissa Gaman shared with Tasting Table, "I like a ratio of a half cup of heavy cream, whipped, to four cups of ice cream, but you can tweak the proportions."

The combination of aerated cream and ice cream should result in a light, fluffy treat that you can freeze until you're ready for it. You'll want to use heavy cream instead of whipping cream; the lower-fat creams generally won't whip as well or provide the desired texture.

What's great about this hack is that it works with almost all dairy ice creams, including popular ice cream flavors like chocolate chip or vanilla. However, as you're adding a neutral ingredient, the primary ice cream flavor may be dampened. To fix this, add more to the flavor with extra ingredients, like a spoonful of peanut butter or a small drop of high-quality vanilla extract for the ultimate vanilla ice cream. Consider adding more flavor and textures by including ingredients such as chopped pecans or chocolate chunks.

If you avoid dairy, note that plant-based alternatives to heavy cream may provide different results, as they usually contain more water and less fat and protein than dairy cream. When using dairy-free products, we suggest you eat the treat right after mixing the cream and ice cream because refreezing it could cause the plant-based ice cream to become icy and grainy due to the different ratio of fat and protein to water.

Tasting Table and Daily Meal are both owned and operated by Static Media.