4 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes That Will Put the Storebought Stuff to Shame

Many of us relegate our ice-cream maker to the far reaches of the pantry, where we occasionally eye it guiltily before taking a pint of storebought ice cream out of the freezer and convincing ourselves that it's just as good as homemade. Why don't we use our ice-cream maker more often? Two reasons: 1) We don't plan ahead so the ice-cream maker base is never chilled, and 2) The project seems daunting. But it doesn't have to be. Move some frozen peas aside and try one of the following recipes, which include three simple ice creams and one knock-your-socks-off sundae for when you're feeling more ambitious.

Fig Ice Cream

Jacques Torres likes to make this dessert with honey-sweet black mission figs at the end of summer, but we can't wait that long.

Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sundae

This genius, circus-inspired sundae from ABC Kitchen is made with caramel ice cream, candied peanuts and popcorn, and a generous drizzle of homemade fudge sauce.

Lemon Verbena Ice Cream

The fragrant herb infuses a simple, custard-based ice cream with its signature citrus flavor.

Cognac and Coffee Ice Cream

Like the perfect after-dinner drink, except better.

Anya Hoffman is a freelance writer and contributing editor at the James Beard Foundation. Find her on Twitter.