Chocolate Ice Cream

This is a rich, delicious and easy recipe!  Thank you Alton Brown and Food Network.

Chocolate Ice Cream

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces unsweetened cocoa powder, approximately 1/2 cup

3 cups half-and-half

1 cup heavy cream

8 large egg yolks

9 ounces sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Place the cocoa powder along with 1 cup of the half-and-half into a medium saucepan over medium heat and whisk to combine. Add the remaining half-and-half and the heavy cream. Bring the mixture just to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and remove from the heat.

In a medium mixing bowl whisk the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the sugar and whisk to combine. Temper the cream mixture into the eggs and sugar by gradually adding small amounts, until about 1/3 of the cream mixture has been added. Pour in the remainder and return the entire mixture to the saucepan and place over low heat. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon and reaches 170 to 175 degrees F. Pour the mixture into a container and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract. Place the mixture into the refrigerator and once it is cool enough not to form condensation on the lid, cover and store for 4 to 8 hours or until the temperature reaches 40 degrees F or below.

Pour into an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's directions. This should take approximately 25 to 35 minutes. Serve as is for soft serve or freeze for another 3 to 4 hours to allow the ice cream to harden.

Vanilla Ice Cream

For Christmas my daughter purchased me a new Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer with the ice cream attachment.  Since then, I have been on a quest for delicious ice cream.  I found this one, and it is wonderful!  I make it all of the time.

Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups half-and-half

8 egg yolks

1 cup sugar

2 1/2 cups whipping cream

4 teaspoons vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In medium saucepan mix the egg yolks and sugar until well blended and mixed.  Add the half-and-half and heat over medium heat until small bubbles form around edge and mixture is steamy, stirring constantly. Do not boil. 

2. Transfer half-and-half mixture into large bowl; stir in whipping cream, vanilla and salt. Cover and chill thoroughly, at least 8 hours. 

3. Assemble and engage the KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker attachment. Turn to STIR Speed (Speed 1). Using a container with a spout, pour mixture into freeze bowl. Continue on STIR (Speed 1) for 15 to 20 minutes or until desired consistency is reached. Immediately transfer ice cream into serving dishes, or freeze in an airtight container. 

Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream Directions
1. In medium bowl, combine 2 cups chopped, fresh strawberries (or other fresh fruit) and 2 to 3 teaspoons sugar, if desired. 

2. Let stand while ice cream is processing. Add during last 3 to 5 minutes of freeze time.

Vanilla Ice Cream

Since I found this recipe, I no longer buy ice cream at the store.  It is so easy and delicious.  It is vanilla (which is my favorite, but can easily be made into chocolate (by adding 1 cup of chocolate chips to the drained mixture before chilling) or strawberry or any other berry by adding some fruit puree. I have a really nice ice cream maker that sold for $80 but I bought it at the end of the season for $20.  They will be going on sale soon, so keep your eye out.  Enjoy!!


Ingredients:


2 cups whole milk
1 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
pinch of salt
2 cups half and half
2 cups whipping cream
2 tsp vanilla extract




Directions:


In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, sugar, egg yolks and salt.  Place pan over medium-high heat and whisk until mixture reaches a simmer.  Lower heat to medium and whisk for 5 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken.  Strain mixture into a large bowl, then whisk in half and half and cream and vanilla.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.


Pour mixture into ice-cream maker and process according to manufacturer instructions.