Spiced Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Scooped

I have long resented the use of the word "vanilla" to mean bland, blah, and boring. Real vanilla is deep and complex. Anyone who thinks vanilla is boring hasn't tasted this ice cream.

Blackberry Ice Cream

This eggless ice cream puts summer blackberries center stage, without any hint of custard to distract from their tart, jammy flavor. A tiny pinch of ground cinnamon highlights their natural aroma without any overt spiciness, while a squeeze of fresh lemon juice helps cut through the richness of cream.

Black Sesame Ice Cream

While living in Japan, I fell in love with black sesame sofuto (soft-serve), which has an all-natural charcoal color and an unbelievably rich and nutty flavor that any fan of peanut butter will love. The secret is Japanese black sesame paste, made from roasted, un-hulled sesame seeds for maximum flavor.

Scooped: Smoked Chocolate and Tequila Ice Cream

What could be better than chocolate, tequila and ice cream on a hot August afternoon? So why not put them all together in one amazing ice cream concoction? Funny you should ask, because that's exactly what we did.

Spiced Dark Chocolate and Candy Cane Ice Cream

A surefire cure for flat-tasting chocolate ice cream. You can serve this right out of the freezer, but also feel comfortable leaving it out for upwards of half an hour without fear of melting.

Scotch Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

This is everything vanilla ice cream should be: impossibly rich and smooth with deep notes of honey, caramel, and flowers. A good Highland Scotch (I'm partial to Glenlivet 12) brings out the best flavors of vanilla while also adding depth. There's a good amount of salt to keep you coming back for another bite. Add salt slowly and adjust it to your tastes.

Banana Bread Ice Cream

Serve this ice cream atop slices of banana bread for a double-dose banana-rama, or spoon it up with a puddle of hot fudge sauce. It's ridiculously good as soft serve, but takes a more cakey, banana bread-like texture when fully frozen.

Helado de Maíz y Crema (Corn-Crema Ice Cream)

I'll be the first to admit that ice cream making is a drag, but delayed gratification is deliciously rewarding, especially when it involves this luxurious, velvety ice cream made with sweet corn, tangy crema, and an insinuation of cinnamon.

Scooped: Black Sesame and Orange Ice Cream

In Asia, black sesame ice cream is as classic a flavor as vanilla in the States. The rich, roasted flavors of the seeds are a perfect match for a light custard.

Horchata Ice Cream

The Mexican beverage in ice cream form is refreshing, comforting, and especially creamy.