Welcome to the weekend, my friends! We’re celebrating three weeks of ice cream recipes with a giveaway for the Cuisinart ICE-100 1.5-Quart Compressor Ice Cream Maker! 

You may recall just how much I adore my compressor ice cream maker, no bowls to freeze, no salt or ice to melt, just turn it on and start churning batch after creamy batch of homemade ice cream. Enter to win by going to the giveaway page and submitting your email. 

ON THE BLOG this week: Fresh Mint Ice Cream is like no other mint ice cream you’ve tried in the past. This Mint Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream is a softer, fresher mint flavor that just might blow your mind.

You need this buttery sweet edible cookie dough in your life. It’s filled with miniature chocolate chips in a bite-size chunk of snackable Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites.

And after you’ve made the edible cookie dough, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream will be next on your list. Sweet chunks of edible cookie dough fill each scoop of this rich and creamy ice cream.

Rum Raisin Ice Cream is full of rum-soaked raisins mixed in custardy vanilla ice cream with a hint of rum. This recipe is a little bit old school and a whole lot of creamy delicious.

The most popular question I’ve ever received on this website is whether you can make ice cream without a machine. The answer is YES. Find out how you can Make Ice Cream Without A Machine.

The Ultimate Ice Cream Maker Review has everything you need to know to choose the perfect ice cream machine! The original post has been updated to reflect current pricing and additional review information for these machines. (I’m thinking this is going to be an annual or even bi-annual update now with the way prices are changing these days.)

My FAVORITE THINGS this week are my wireless earbuds. I don’t know when I’ve ever been so pleased with a $30 purchase. My kids and I all have these earbuds and in over six months of near-constant use, we have yet to have any issues with them. They continue to work flawlessly.

I love these earbuds so much, that I’m giving a few pairs away today just for newsletter readers. Leave a comment below and let me know what you’ll be listening to: Podcasts? Music? Audiobooks? Something else entirely? I’ll choose three winners on Monday evening and send them t

Sweet chunks of edible cookie dough fill each scoop of this rich and creamy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream

Is there anything more irresistible than a spoonful of cookie dough? I know that I can never resist it.

The Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough that I shared yesterday was the inspiration for this ice cream. Every single cookie dough filled bite is creamy ice cream heaven.

The most popular question I get is whether it’s possible to make ice cream without a machine. The answer is YES. You can make ice cream without a machine. Find the full directions here!

Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

While making the edible cookie dough is the most time-intensive part of this recipe, it’s well worth the effort!

You can stir the cookie dough together while the ice cream churns and the cookie dough chunks will be ready to stir into the ice cream when it’s finished churning.

Wondering how those cute chunks are made? It’s easier than you might think! Just press the cookie dough out across a parchment-lined tray and chill in the refrigerator or freezer until firm.

Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the cold cookie dough into 1/2-inch chunks. The cookie dough chunks can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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The most popular question I’ve ever received on this website is whether you can make ice cream without a machine.

The answer is YES. You can make ice cream without a machine.

Homemade Ice Cream Without A Machine

With 70+ ice cream recipes to choose from, that question comes up a few times a week, if not daily through the warmer months.

While I’ve described this method repeatedly in comments and emails through the years, it was past time to shoot some step-by-step photos and explain in detail in one post that can be easily referred back to.

Besides, who would ever turn down the chance to make some more ice cream, right?

There are a LOT of photos provided here to illustrate what the ice cream should look like at each step of the process.

If you aren’t here for the full tutorial, make use of that handy “Jump To Recipe” button at the top of the page.

How To Make Ice Cream Without An Ice Cream Maker

Stir together your ice cream mixture and chill it if it isn’t cold already. Pour it into an 8-10 inch square baking dish.

I typically use this metal pan (because it freezes so quickly) however a glass pan will also work.

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Asian Steak Marinade

We love our steak fajitas marinade recipe but I couldn’t stop thinking about putting an Asian twist on it, and thus, our Asian steak marinade was born!

We have a little secret with the steak too, so keep reading to get all the dets.

The Secret is in the Steak

I couldn’t find plain skirt or flank steak at the store, so I bought carne asada instead. Just the store brand raw meat but it was already flavored. Worked amazing!!! So if you’re short on time, definitely go with this option. If you want to go totally homemade, I’ll include our own spice rub recipe in the recipe card below. You’ll apply the rub before putting the steak in the marinade.

Ingredients for Asian Steak Marinade

This dry rub and marinade is so easy! All you do is combine everything together and rub it on the steak and then pour the marinade on the steak in a plastic bag.

• Skirt or Flank Steak – either one will work, and look for a pre-seasoned one for extra easy cooking

For the Rub

For the Marinade

• Rice Vinegar – adds acidity
• Pineapple Juice – adds a little sweetness and tang
• Soy Sauce – low sodium, great for tenderizing the meat because it breaks down the tough proteins
• Garlic – freshly minced
• Ginger – adds that signature Asian flavor
• Light Brown Sugar – adds sweetness and richness
• Red Chili Flakes – adds a little heat, feel free to add more if you like it spicy
• Scallions – for garnish

The full recipe with the measurements and complete instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Crunchy pretzels and a creamy filling are topped with piles of strawberries and blueberries making this Strawberry and Blueberry Pretzel Salad our favorite dessert for summer!

Several years ago, my aunt introduced me to the ever-popular Strawberry Pretzel Salad. I’d never even heard of it before and I fell in love with it from the very first bite.

I think I may have eaten 3 servings that day, including choosing it over pie for dessert!

Strawberry Pretzel “Salad” isn’t a salad at all. It’s a layered dessert that starts with a pretzel crust, then a sweet cream cheese and cool whip layer, and it’s topped with a strawberry jello layer.

Strawberry and Blueberry Pretzel Salad

Aunt Judy’s Strawberry Pretzel Salad is absolutely delicious and no one can ever resist a slice of it. This Berry Pretzel Dessert is my twist on that recipe.

Made without cool whip or jello, this dessert is a much less sweet, but still completely irresistible cousin to the original.

It starts with a pretzel crust that is layered with a lightly sweetened creamy filling. Topped with an abundance of fresh berries, I found myself going back for sliver after sliver all night long.

No Bake Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

Kitchen Tip: I use this spatula and this dish to make this recipe.

1. Finely crush the pretzels in a food processor, blender, or with a rolling pin in a heavy zip-close bag. Place the crumbs in a medium-size mixing bowl.
2. Add the melted butter and brown sugar and stir to combine. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of an 8×8 pan.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and sugar. Beat until combined, about 2 minutes. Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt.
4. Beat until smooth and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Pour over the crust and smooth with a spatula.
5. Top generously with berries. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. 

I loved the crumbling crust with bits of crunchy pretzels throughout, but if you prefer a more traditional crumb crust (that will also be more easily sliced) be sure to grind every bit of the pretzels into fine crumbs.

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