Weekend with Vanna + Homemade Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream

I mentioned last week that our niece, Vanna, was going to spend the night with us for the first time on Friday. Oh my goodness, we had so much fun! When my sister and Vanna first got to my house, she spent some time exploring the room my mom and I had set up for her that afternoon. My mom is so good at doing those kinds of things! She even brought a vase of fresh flowers for the bathroom! :) Vanna loves fresh flowers and helping Nana in her garden.

Later that afternoon, Vanna and I got busy making homemade ice cream! I had plans to make an apple crisp the next day, so we made cinnamon bun ice cream to go with it. {You can find the recipe at the bottom of this post.} She is such a good little baker. She poured all the ingredients in and mixed everything together!

We couldn't help but taste a little of the ice cream mixture before we put it in the freezer. We could tell that it was going to be really good! Vanna loved it!

After our ice cream was in the freezer to get "freezy" {as Vanna said}, we played until Uncle D got home. We played her favorite, the fishing game, for awhile and then decorated foam picture frames with LOTS and LOTS of stickers! :) {She takes after me...}

Once Uncle D got home, we ate a quick dinner and then headed to the park for an outdoor showing of "Wreck It Ralph."

It was such a cute movie! Since it was an outdoor movie, they couldn't start it until it was almost dark which meant the movie ended around 10:00. Kind of late for a 4-year-old, but when we asked her if she wanted to go get milkshakes at Sonic, she was totally up for it! We were amazed that she didn't even start to fall asleep on our way there! I know, milkshakes at 10:30 might sound a little crazy, but that's what aunts and uncles are for, right?! Vanna agreed. :)

The next morning, we continued the sugar fest by going out for donuts at Daylight Donuts! Vanna told us that she wanted to bring the donuts home to eat because it's "cleaner" there. :) I'd have to agree. The donuts there are amazing, but they could really work on their dining ambiance! :)

We spent the rest of the morning playing the fishing game some more, decorating more picture frames, coloring, drawing, tossing around a beach ball, reading books, and making apple crisp. We had such a fun time with our sweet Vanna!!

Later that afternoon, my sister, brother-in-law, and parents all came over to try Vanna's homemade cinnamon bun ice cream and apple crisp. I have to say...I was definitely right that this combo would be a winner. Here's the recipe! :)

Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream
Printer Friendly Version

2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
3 T. butter, melted
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla

1. Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks in large bowl.
2. Whisk sweetened condensed milk, butter, cinnamon, and vanilla in large bowl. Mix well.
3. Fold in whipped cream.
4. Pour into a 2-quart container and cover. Freeze overnight.

To see step by step photos of this method, visit this post.

Source: Kevin & Amanda