Fat Content

The fat content of the cream and milk blend, and the proportions of cream and milk required to achieve the desired percentage in the finished product, can be calculated using the following method. Draw a rectangle with two lines crossing diagonally. In the upper left corner, write the fat percentage of the cream you are using. Write the fat percentage of the milk you are using in the lower left corner. In the center, write the desired fat content for the finished ice cream. Subtract the desired fat percentage from the cream fat percentage and write the result in the opposite diagonal corner. Subtract the milk fat percentage from the desired fat percentage and write this figure in the remaining corner. The resulting figures are the proportions of milk and cream you should use in order to achieve the desired fat content. The example (Figure 14-1) shows the fat content in an ice cream using half-and-half. In other words, because both figures are 18, you would use equal parts of milk and cream; if the cream figure were 10 and the milk figure 30, you would use 1 part cream to 3 parts milk.