Homemade Reduced Fat Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

Homemade reduced fat vanilla ice cream--all the flavor of homemade ice cream without all the fat!

When I first got my ice cream maker I had big plans of the low fat dairy free ice cream I was going to make.  It was about a year later that I gave up and decided to use our very expensive ice cream maker how it was originally intended--to make full fat homemade ice cream.  

Homemade reduced fat vanilla ice cream--all the flavor of homemade ice cream without all the fat!

I found a few go to recipes that I liked.  I decided that in moderation with the fact that it was 100% natural got me over my low calorie ways.  Plus my husband would make eyes at me because I made him homemade ice cream.  That didn't hurt either.  

Homemade reduced fat vanilla ice cream--all the flavor of homemade ice cream without all the fat!

But because of all of this I have become an ice cream snob.  When in a pinch and would like a carton of ice cream, slow churned no longer does it for me.  I spoiled my taste buds.  Occasionally we go to frozen yogurt and I say certain flavors taste too "processed" for me.  So how does a snobby ice cream lover find ice cream that is not 100% fattening?  She makes her own.

After getting down my regular ice cream recipes, I started to test it out slowly taking away some of the fat.  I started with reduced fat milk, attempted low fat, and even replaced just some of the sugar with Splenda.  I know Splenda goes against my whole natural point so take it or leave it.  I am cutting back on my artificial sweeteners but not completely.

After some trial and error, I believe I have came up with the perfect combination of reduced fat ice cream.  It tastes just as good as full fat while cutting some of the calories.  I am in ice cream heaven. 

Homemade reduced fat vanilla ice cream--all the flavor of homemade ice cream without all the fat!

Reduced Fat Vanilla Ice Cream

1 cup reduced fat milk
1/4 cup Splenda
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, whisk to combine the milk, Splenda, and sugar until dissolved.  Stir in heavy cream and vanilla to taste.  Pour ice cream into ice cream maker and mix following manufacturer's instructions.