I am not a big ice cream eater unless it is pumpkin ice cream. This recipe caught my eye and I could not wait to create my version of it for AroundHawaii readers.

The original recipe came from USA Weekend magazine but I have altered and improved it. The pumpkin taste is complemented by the gingersnap cookies and leaves your mouth with a spice taste that is sure to make you smile.

The calorie content of this ice cream is less than regular flavors of ice cream because of the pumpkin. There are 3 grams of fiber per ½ cup serving so you can feel good about eating something that is yummy as well as good for you.

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin pie mix or plain pure pumpkin
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger (add chopped candied ginger optional)
• 2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 half gallon vanilla ice cream cartons
• 16 -20 crushed (coarsely) gingersnap cookies

Step 1: Assemble all ingredients.

Step 2: Open the can of pumpkin and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the cinnamon, cloves and ginger to the pumpkin as it is cooking. Stir the spices well. Let the mixture cool to room temperature or place in the freezer to cool quickly.

Step 3: Place the gingersnap cookies in a plastic zip bag and crush with a hammer or can of food. Add the coarsely chopped cookies to the pumpkin mixture and mix well. You can also add chopped candied ginger if you want an extra gingery hot taste.

Step 4: Soften the 2 half gallons ice cream either out of the freezer on the counter or in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds on high. The ice cream should be smooth but not watery.

Step 5:In a large bowl stir the pumpkin mixture into the ice cream and blend well. I used a large metal spoon to chop up the chunks of ice cream.

Step 6: Taste the ice cream and pour the softened mixture back in the original ice cream containers. Place containers back in the freezer for several hours until the ice cream hardens.

Serve with gingersnap cookies. For years my readers have been kind enough to alert me to where I could find pumpkin ice cream. This recipe is one that can be enjoyed year round when you have a pumpkin ice cream craving. Enjoy, share some with a friend, family or neighbor and remember to spread the Aloha Spirit where ever you live.

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