So when Audrey suggested that we make chocolate ice cream, I was all over it.
My Favorite Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe
The credit for this recipe goes to Audrey, who has been making it for her family with great results. My own meager contributions were to include some salt and instant coffee (both ingredients intensify the chocolate taste), and vanilla to help deepen the overall flavor of the ice cream. The ice cream is rich, creamy, smooth, and super chocolatey.
Tips for Making This Ice Cream
Temper the eggs: Instead of adding the egg yolks directly to the hot chocolate mixture, which will cause them to curdle, temper them by whisking a little of the chocolate into the eggs first. This warms the eggs up so it’s less of a shock when you add them to the chocolate mixture.How to tell when the base is ready: The best way to tell when the base is ready is by checking the temperature, which should be 170°F. The base should have thickened slightly and will be just beginning to steam.Strain before chilling: Once your ice cream base has thickened, strain it through a fine mesh strainer. This catches any solids, like bits of egg that might have gotten a bit curdled.Blend if curdled: If too much of your custard base curdles you can sometimes save it by immediately cooling it down in a bowl in an ice bath to stop the cooking, and then running it through a blender.Chill completely before churning: For the smoothest, creamiest ice cream, be sure to wait until it’s completely chilled before churning it. If you’re rushed for time, you can put the ice cream base, still in its bowl in the ice bath, in the freezer for an hour, stirring every 20 minutes.
Try These Other Ice Cream Recipes!
Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream Strawberry Ice Cream Coffee Oreo Ice Cream French Vanilla Ice Cream Coffee Ice Cream
Chocolate: For this recipe, you’ll need 60% cacao dark chocolate, ideally in baking bar or wafer form, which are the best for melting. Steer away from chocolate chips, as the stabilizers that help to keep their shape while baking prevent them from melting as easily or smoothly. Cocoa powder: You can use either natural or Dutch-processed cocoa for this ice cream. Dutch-processed cocoa powder will give you an ice cream that’s darker in color, with deeper, mellower chocolate notes.
How To Melt Your Chocolate
If you don’t have a double boiler at home to melt your chocolate, no problem! Here are two alternative methods: Makeshift double boiler: Place a metal bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water. Melt the chocolate in the bowl over the water until it turns into a silky smooth texture. Be careful not to let the bottom of the bowl touch the water! Stir until the chocolate is fully melted and then turn off the heat and remove the bowl to use your chocolate in the recipe. Microwave: Add the chopped chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds, then give it a stir. Repeat until the chocolate is fully melted. NOTE: It’s important to melt the chocolate slowly like this so it doesn’t overheat (and seize) or burn.
Our Favorite Ice Cream Maker
In the market for an ice cream maker? Our top pick is the Cuisinart ICE-30BC 2-Quart Automatic Ice Cream Maker. It’s easy to use, inexpensive, compact, makes the creamiest ice cream, and the capacity is just the right size for many families.
Try Out These Other Chocolate Desserts, Too!
Easy Chocolate Cream Pie Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies German Chocolate Snack Cake With Coconut Pecan Frosting Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars Mint Chocolate Cream Pie
When the chocolate base is smooth, set the pot over medium high heat and warm, stirring occasionally, until the base starts to steam. Once you’ve incorporated about half of the base with the eggs, pour the egg mixture back into the pan with the rest of the chocolate base and stir to combine. Stir in the remaining cup of cold cream to prevent further cooking. Note that the ice cream may be quite hard when you first take it out of the freezer, so you may want to let it sit for a few minutes to soften before trying to scoop.
