Making two-ingredient ice cream bread is one of those magical recipes that sounds impossible. The recipe is incredibly easy, and yet the flavor possibilities are endless. All you need is your favorite flavor of ice cream and self-rising flour. The result is a loaf of quick bread with a great texture and light flavor.
The trick to a bread with a tender crumb is to make sure the ice cream is melted and smooth before mixing it with the self-rising flour. It is also important to use full-fat regular ice cream; don't attempt to substitute low-fat or low-sugar ice cream in this recipe. You also need to be sure to use self-rising flour, which is a perfectly blended mix of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
Ingredients
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2 cups softened ice cream
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1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
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Multicolored sprinkles, optional
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F and grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch bread loaf pan and set aside.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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Stir the ice cream until mostly melted and smooth. In a large bowl, combine the soft, smooth ice cream and the self-rising flour. Do not overmix.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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Pour the batter into the prepared bread loaf pan.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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Top with sprinkles, if desired. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
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Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and allow to cool the rest of the way on a cooling rack.
Kristina Vanni -
Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers for up to three days in an airtight container.
Tip
Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to mix the ice cream and remove any lumps. This will prevent you from overworking the batter when combining the two ingredients, and an overworked batter will result in a dense bread.
Recipe Variations
The possibilities are endless when it comes to making ice cream bread. You can use your favorite types of ice cream to create new and exciting flavors. Here are a few suggestions to try:
- Butter Pecan Ice Cream Bread: Use butter pecan ice cream in the recipe and top with finely chopped pecans before baking. Serve the slices toasted with a pat of butter.
- Chocolate Ice Cream Bread: Use chocolate ice cream in the recipe and top with mini chocolate chips before baking.
- Strawberries and Cream Ice Cream Bread: Use strawberry ice cream in the recipe and top with white chocolate chips before baking.
- Cinnamon Raisin Ice Cream Bread: Use rum raisin ice cream in the recipe and add 1 teaspoon cinnamon into the batter. Additional raisins can also be mixed in before baking.
What Replaces Self-Rising Flour?
Self-rising flour is different from all-purpose insofar as the salt and baking powder are already in the flour; hence, the self-rising name. However, you can make self-rising flour by using 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt per cup of flour in your recipe.
