Homemade Butterfinger Ice Cream

This homemade ice cream recipe is the BOMBDIGGIDY-EST of all home made ice creams!  We have been making this recipe since 1987... and it has been a HUGE hit every single time we have made it! YES!!!  I will share this recipe at the bottom of this blog... it is just tooooo good not to share!

I obtained this recipe from our Minister's wife at an "Ice Cream Social" our church (Symrna Presbyterian Church... in Smyrna Tennessee) held one evening in the summer of 1987.  There were at least 6 different flavors of homemade ice creams at this particular social... it was our very first "Ice Cream Social" we attended... the line for the Butterfinger ice cream was instant, and constant, until the ice cream ran out in less than 10 minutes.  Our family considered ourselves quite fortunate that we had arrived early, and were among those attendees that 'scooped' (pun totally intended!) up a bowl of this DELISH treat.  Our Minister's wife (Jimmy Threlkeld... her husband, the Minister was Gayle Threlkeld... truly!!! this is typed correctly... she was Jimmy, and he was Gayle!) was besieged with requests to share her recipe... which... THANK GOODNESS she indeed did, by handwriting out this recipe for every single person who asked for it!  In fact... the recipe I have is still her hand written version on a 3X5 index card.  I cherish it dearly... not only for the recipe itself, but for the memories it evokes from a very special lady, and a very special evening, every time I see this index card.  I can guarantee we have never missed an "Ice Cream Social" invite since that evening in 1987.

As far back as I can remember my family has enjoyed making homemade ice cream every single summer.  I remember actually sitting on the ice cream maker in my Grandparents driveway as my Grandfather, Father, or Uncle cranked away!  All of us kids would take turns sitting on the ice cream maker while it was being churned by one of the men... we were rewarded with a very cold hinnie... and lots of giggles!  I also have many lovely memories of being at my Aunt and Uncle's home in the country, drooling while waiting for the ice cream churning to be complete and the ice cream ready to eat... my Aunt made lots of different flavors... I vividly remember peach and strawberry in particular... but other than this Butterfinger recipe... my all time favorite is just plain ole vanilla!   I know!  I know!!!  Some of you might think that drab and boring... but... I only prefer vanilla ice cream if it is homemade... it is just so simple, and sweet, and well... it is like the oreo cookie... it is just special as it is... wholesome, fresh, and perfection!

I hope I have inspired you to go dig out your ice cream maker... or go purchase one... and to make a batch of homemade ice cream, plain, fruity, chocolate... or give this Butterfinger recipe a try.  It is just part of the magic summertime brings.  Yes... ice cream CAN be made any time of the year... but for me... it truly tastes best on a summertime evening, with family and/or friends gathered around sharing in the fun of both making it, and eating it!

Here my blogger friends is the most delicious homemade ice cream you will ever eat!  And... it is SUPER easy to make... takes less than 10 minutes to prepare this yummy concoction for the ice cream churner!

BUTTERFINGER ICE CREAM (Jimmy Threlkeld)

1 - gallon whole milk... it's hard to say how much you need... it depends on the size of your ice cream freezer... you want to make sure you have enough milk.
2 - eggs
2 - cans Eagle Brand Milk
2 - tbsp sugar
1 - can carnation milk
2 - tsp vanilla extract (DO NOT use imitation!)
2 - heaping tbsps peanut butter
4 to 6 - Butterfinger candy bars... chopped... (place candy bars in freezer at least 10-15 minutes before placing in a plastic bag and whacking with a hammer)... 4 - Large candy bars... 6 - Small candy bars

Beat eggs until fluffy, then add all other ingredients... mix well.  Add whole milk to the 'fill' line on the ice cream freezer... and churn!  Simple as that!