Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
Ever since getting my ice cream maker last year, Ive been hesitant to make the custard based ice cream. You know, the one that requires mixing of eggs to make the base for the ice cream. Also known as French style ice cream. I don’t know why I was intimidated by it. Truly. I kept taking the easy way out making Philadelphia ice cream instead… a non-custard based ice cream. I loved how easy it was but everywhere I looked, people raved about the custard based style. Now I know why…
It’s amazing! So creamy. It hardens but not nearly to the same point it’s non-egg cousin does. The flavor is out of this world. And honestly, it’s not that hard at all. Sure, it takes a little more work to create but the end result is completely worth it. I highly doubt I’ll ever go back to the non-egg version again. Okay, don’t quote me on that because I didn’t promise but truly it’s just 1000x better with that creamy custard base.
This ice cream, though the name is different, is based off of that famous Ben n Jerry’s flavor. The recipe in their book calls for uncooked yolks being mixed into the ice cream base. I wasn’t thrilled with that idea, so much so that I spent some time trying to research if it was really okay to do or not. During my search I found this. That made the decision for me.
So I took the idea of that famous ice cream and combined it with David Lebovitz’s vanilla ice cream, with some slight alterations. I don’t have vanilla beans so my method changed ever so slightly from the original. I’d love to know how beans would change the flavor, more intense perhaps?
This is an amazingly creamy vanilla ice cream with dark chocolate chunks and ripe bing cherries throughout. Incredible. And since cherries are in season, you should make this. Immediately.
Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 C whole milk
- 3/4 C granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 C heavy cream
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 vanilla bean, or 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1/2 C cherries, stemmed, pitted and chopped
- 4 oz dark chocolate
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, 1 cup of cream, 3/4 cup of sugar, salt and 1/4 tsp vanilla. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Cover and remove from heat. Let sit for 30 minutes.
- Beat egg yolks in a medium bowl. Slowly drizzle cream mixture into beaten yolks, whisking constantly. Pour roughly 1/3 of your hot liquid into the eggs. Transfer egg mixture back to the saucepan. Return to medium heat, cooking until thickened and lightly coats a a spatula.
- Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl. Stir in remaining cream and vanilla. Stir over an ice bath until cool.
- Cover and chill overnight.
- When you are ready to continue, chop room temperature dark chocolate.
- Remove cherry pits and quarter. Toss cherries with 2 1/2 tbsp sugar. Chill, stirring every 10 minutes or so.
- Begin churning your ice cream. Add egg and cream mixture to your frozen mixer bowl. Mix according to manufacturer's directions. Continue churning until ice cream has thickened significantly.
- Stir in chopped chocolate and cherries, discarding cherry liquid.
- Transfer to a freezer safe container. Freeze overnight for best results. Allow to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes prior to scooping.
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My faaavorite ice cream flavor is cookies ‘n’ cream!!
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My favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate chip cookie dough!
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My favorite flavor is peach!
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This ice cream looks incredible, and I’m not even a huge fan of cherries! My favorite is mint chocolate chip!
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Praline pecan is by far my favorite ice cream!
I am a cookies & cream fan. I know that’s boring, but it’s just so perfectly delicious!
Oh, and I follow you on twitter!
My first memory of Ben & Jerry’s will stick with me forever. Sitting down on dad’s lap with a pint of Chocolate Fudge Brownie and realizing what marvelous men they must be!
I’m not sure if its still my favorite more because of the memory, or the flavor!
Caramel Pecan Praline for me!
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chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream!!!! :)
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My favorite is java chip! I’m making it for my 21st birthday on the 12th (Thursday!!!!)! Also liked you on facebook
My favorite ice cream is old fashioned butter pecan.
Pistachio gelato is my favorite frozen treat, but if we’re just talking ice cream, then definitely vanilla bean! Plain and simple for me…
Cheers,
*Heather*
Following on Twitter now (@squirrelbread).
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I really like pralines and cream
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Definitely mint chocolate chip!
Great minds think alike – it’s definitely the season for ice cream with cherries! Yours looks super delicious!
I’m so glad that you tried custard based ice cream. I’m a huge fan. And the one time I made vanilla ice cream, I used vanilla beans and it was the best vanilla ice cream I’ve ever had – I’m not usually a fan of plain vanilla, but the beans give it sooo much flavor! A little hot fudge sauce on top doesn’t hurt though :)
My favorite flavor is mint chocolate chip :) …but I’ll eat almost any flavor!
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Mint chocolate chip is always a favorite of mine.
My favorite ice cream is Strawberry Cheesecake.
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Man I need an ice cream maker SO bad! I love rocky road and I would absolutely love to make homemade strawberry!
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