Homemade ice cream?

Does anyone have/use an at-home ice cream maker? I'm curious...never used one, but was thinking that it would be super cool to be able to make my own lactose-free ice cream instead of having to pop a couple of lactaids and *pray* that they work any time I have an ice cream craving. And...another question: would it be possible to use Splenda or any other artificial sweetener to make ice cream to lower the carb content?

Yes I have a little one from pennys.. it has two bowls so I freeze one at a time. My ice cream is made with 1 cup 1/2 & 1/2 . 1 cup heavy whipping cream, splenda 4 tsp. vanilla 1tsp  and let it spin, I can add any fruit or ? whatever to this basic slurry !! LOL   Can sub with SF syrups too,  Hazelnut, pineapple, peach,
etc
LOVE IT

 Is this like the one you have? I chose this so I wouldn't have to make a huge amount for just me.

www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Serve-Cream-Bubble/dp/B003R4Q5 GY/ref=pd_sim_k_2

Yep.. invest in one!  They are awesome. You can even add protein powder to make them protein rich too.  I always use Splenda in mine... There are a slew of recipes for different protein types on Eggface's blog at :  http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2010/02/prote in-ice-cream-101.html

I have a Cuisinart model and i LOVE it!

Have fun!

Teri

Thanks!  I am quite intrigued by the protein powder idea...didn't occur to me, although I vaguely remember people mentioning "protein ice cream" a long time ago.  I have this bad feeling that I am going to start making it, absolutely love it, and justify eating it by saying that there's protein in it...LOL.

And thanks for the link to Eggface's recipes...love it!

I do!  I love it!  I have one by cuisinart and I always use artificial sweetener in it.

It tastes just fine with artificial sweetener?  I use Splenda in everything (I don't have problems with artificial sweeteners like some people do), but I don't think I've ever tried ice cream that was artificially sweetened, so I don't know if I should expect a taste difference or not.

How long does it take to make a batch of homemade ice cream?

I like it.  I actually use stevia extract (NOT stevia powder or Truvia...totally different product).  I think it tastes fine.  I don't like to use a custard base (with eggs) because it takes too long, so I can taste the produce before freezing it

From beginning to end, it taste a little less than an hour for me.  I use an immersion blender to really incorporate the cocoa powder.  I've made vanilla ice cream too, but I think chocolate always turns out better.  So many taste sins can be covered up with cocoa powder.

It's definitely not as good as haagen dazs or anything, but I think it tastes fine.

The actual freezing part takes about 30 mins.

I have an 'antique' hand-cran**** cream freezer from the late '60s---it's turquois, believe it or not! Works like a charm. I make my ice cream with Splenda and lots of heavy whipping cream, and plenty of eggs. Yummy! I've never tried adding protein powder, but you  could.

Yes the pic you sent me is the one.  Makes just enought for two servings and not too much!!!

I alternate the freezer bowls