SLC-S25/W2 | Vanilla ice cream

If there’s one thing I love about this dessert challenge, it’s how it brings unexpected joy and bonding moments. This week’s vanilla ice cream challenge transformed my kitchen into a little paradise, not just because of the creamy goodness we created, but also because of the giggles, teamwork, and love that came with it.

Let me take you through our sweet adventure, complete with steps, ingredients, and a little dose of storytelling.

🔹 Ingredients & Price List:

Ingredient	Quantity	Price (NGN)	Price in Steem
Milk	500ml	800	4
Custard powder (vanilla flavored)	5 tbsp	300	1.5
Sugar	50g	200	1
Total		1,300	6.5

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🍼 Preparation Steps

Step 1: Mixing the Custard Base
In a clean bowl, I added 500ml of milk and slowly dissolved 5 tablespoons of vanilla-flavoured custard powder in it. The sweet aroma of vanilla filled the room, so strong and pleasant that even my kids came running in asking, "Mummy, is it ready yet?"

Step 2: Sweetening the Mix
Next, I added 50g of sugar to the mix and stirred until it dissolved completely. At this point, the mixture already had that soft golden custard colour and a lovely scent that promised joy.

Step 3: Cooking the Custard
I placed the pot on medium heat and stirred continuously to avoid lumps. The moment it thickened and started to bubble, I knew it was time to take it off the heat.

Step 4: Cooling and First Blend
I let the mixture cool down for 15 minutes, then poured it into the blender for the first round of blending. It wasn’t easy blending a thick mix like that, but it was worth the effort.

Step 5: Freezing & Second Blend
After the first blend, I placed the mix in the freezer for an hour. Then came the second blend. This was when the magic happened – it turned creamy and smooth! I did this blending twice, and each time it got creamier.

Step 6: Final Freezing
I poured the final mixture into a bowl, covered it with cling film (touching the surface to avoid ice crystals), and sealed it with a lid. Then into the freezer it went for 8 hours.

Step 7: Time to Serve
The next day, the first thing my kids asked for was "Mummy, our ice cream!" And when I served it, let me just say, happiness has never tasted so creamy.

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🤔 Difficulties Encountered

Blending the thick custard mix was quite a task. I don’t own a heavy-duty blender, so I had to be patient and blend in short bursts. Also, making sure the mix didn’t form lumps while cooking required full attention. But in the end, these small troubles were worth every creamy scoop.

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🌟 Who Would I Share It With?

If I could share this ice cream with anyone on Steemit, it would be @dove11. I admire how thoughtful he is in the comment sections and how intentional his engagements are. You can always sense his heart behind his words. I think sitting with him, enjoying this homemade vanilla treat, would open the door for a deep and meaningful conversation. Maybe he’ll even drop a few Steem tips while we dig into our scoops, hahahaha! His warmth, empathy, and sincerity make him the kind of person you'd want to share desserts and dreams with. Thank you, @dove11, for always being that voice of encouragement and wisdom. You deserve a big scoop!

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😍 Final Reflection

I used to think making ice cream was for professionals with fancy machines, but this challenge has changed my mindset. It was such a wholesome activity, and my kitchen assistants (a.k.a. my children) already asked when we’re making another batch. Homemade ice cream now feels like a new tradition, one that blends love, learning, and a whole lot of licking spoons.

Selfie with my kitchen assistants

Thank you to the host @m-fdo for this challenge. It was more than a recipe; it was a memory made.

I want to invite @kwinberry @etoro @blessedlife to join this contest.

Best Regards,
@peachyladiva