Ice cream your way

How is it that ice cream can come in so many varieties, yet we still can't find a flavor that is exactly what we want?

Blame our culture of customization. We're so used to the have-it-your-way business model, it's easy to be frustrated that while you can find pints of cake batter ice cream and pints of chocolate cookie ice cream, you won't find chocolate cookie cake batter ice cream.

Enter doctored ice creams. It's pretty simple really: Buy a brand of chocolate or vanilla ice cream you like, soften it, add to it whatever you like in whichever proportions you like, then refreeze and enjoy.

You can create any crazy combination you like -- balsamic strawberry chocolate cookie ice cream, for example. Try finding that at the grocer.

Yes, there are online services that let you customize ice cream right down to the fat content of the milk base. But that comes at a cost, not to mention way more of a wait when you've got a hankering for a chilly treat.

Here, a simple method and list of suggested add-ins for making your own doctored ice creams.

Doctored ice cream

1 pint vanilla or chocolate ice cream

Add-ins (see list below)

Open the pint of ice cream and microwave on high power for about 30 seconds. Timing will vary widely depending on the power of your microwave. You will need to watch this very carefully. It's best to work in 10-second intervals, checking the ice cream between each. You are aiming for soft enough to mix with a spoon, but not melted.

Transfer the softened ice cream to a large bowl and add the ingredients of your choice. Mix well, then transfer to a quart-size container with a tight lid. Freeze until solid, about 1 to 2 hours.

Add-in suggestions

You can be as creative as you want with your add-ins. Here are some tried-and-true combinations to get you started.

* Dried cherries and broken chocolate-covered pretzels

* Crumbled chewy molasses cookies and apricot jam

* Crushed banana chips, mini marshmallows and mini chocolate chips

* Almond extract and chunks of marzipan

* Chopped macadamia nuts, toasted coconut and dried pineapple

* Chopped salted peanuts, caramel sauce, crushed chocolate sandwich cookies

* Cubed pound cake and chopped fresh strawberries