If you want to make it softer without getting to complicated, the really simple solution is to just churn it longer. Of course this depends on your recipe. My recipe is not *technically" ice cream, since it's a custard base. However, i can guarantee that a frozen custard will be infinitely more rich and delectable than any true ice cream; and the added fat helps it to hold air better as well.
If you need a good place to start, a recipe for creme anglaise is a good bet.
Or if you want, I have a recipe, scaled for a restaurant kitchen though. It's up to you if you want to do the math
30 egg yolks
2 qt. heavy cream
2 qt. milk (not skim)
3 cups sugar
6 T vanilla extract (ours was pretty strong- made by blending 1 liter of vodka with 6 vanilla beans)
pinch of salt
1 digital thermometer
1 big pot
1 big bowl
1 chinois
1 long wood spoon
large ice bath
large vessel that will fit in your large ice bath
Get your cream/milk into the big pot and turn the heat to high. You want to scald this dairy- just make sure you don't let it boil over! In fact, if you're not fast a cracking/separating eggs I would do that before putting your dairy on the burner. Anyways, into your big bowl, you put your 30 yolks, your pinch of salt, and your vanilla- don't stir this at all, just dump it all in the bowl. Also, have your 3 cups of sugar at the ready.
When your dairy is about to scald, add the sugar to your eggs, salt, and vanilla, and mix to combine. Remove your scalded dairy from the heat , and very carefully temper your egg mixture, eventually returning all milk/eggs to the big pot. Turn the heat back on high, and stir furiously with your wood spoon. It is important to stir fast so you don't scramble your eggs. When the temp. reaches 184.5 immediately remove the pot from the heat, and strain the mixture through a chinois into your storage vessel (which is ideally already in your ice bath). At this point, if you have a lot of eggs in your chinois and your liquid is very thin, you cooked it too long! Your custard should have a very good nappe' consistency. Chill this in the fridge for a long time, until completely chilled; I'd say 4-6 hours at least
Congrats, you've now made creme anglaise.
You can use it as is for vanilla, or add flavorings as you see fit. If you can find them, I've had exceptional luck with various fruit compounds, particularly raspberry and cherry.
By the way- I have NO idea what you're going to do with all of those egg whites!
