Description
Brandied cherry-and-chocolate chunk ice cream melds rich European flavors into a luxurious dessert. Creamy chocolate and boozy cherries create a sophisticated treat you’ll savor until the last delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large egg yolks
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) brandy
- ½ cup dark chocolate chunks or chips
Instructions
- Cherry Preparation: Simmer cherries with granulated sugar and brandy in a saucepan over medium heat, reducing until syrupy. Stir intermittently for 5-7 minutes, dissolving sugar completely. Remove from heat, blend in vanilla extract, and cool thoroughly.
- Custard Foundation: Warm heavy cream, milk, and partial sugar until steaming. Concurrently, whisk egg yolks with remaining sugar until pale and silky. Gradually merge heated dairy into egg yolks, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Custard Development: Return tempered mixture to saucepan, cooking over low heat while stirring until custard thickens and coats a wooden spoon. Strain through fine-mesh sieve to remove potential egg particles. Incorporate vanilla extract and cool to room temperature.
- Flavor Maturation: Refrigerate custard for 4-6 hours, allowing flavors to intensify and develop depth. This resting period enhances the overall taste profile of the ice cream.
- Churning Process: Activate ice cream maker and churn chilled custard according to manufacturer’s guidelines. During final churning moments, fold in brandied cherries with their syrup and chocolate chunks, ensuring even distribution.
- Freezing and Serving: Transfer churned ice cream to airtight container, carefully spreading cherries and chocolate throughout. Freeze for 2-4 hours until desired consistency is reached. Scoop and serve, showcasing the luxurious combination of brandy-infused cherries and rich chocolate chunks.
Notes
- Manage Cherry Sweetness: Adjust sugar levels in brandied cherries based on their natural sweetness to prevent overpowering the delicate ice cream flavor.
- Prevent Egg Scrambling: Temper egg yolks slowly and whisk continuously when adding hot cream to avoid creating scrambled egg texture in the custard.
- Control Churning Timing: Watch ice cream maker closely during final minutes to ensure even distribution of cherries and chocolate chunks without over-mixing.
- Optimize Freezing Technique: Allow ice cream to rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping to achieve perfect creamy consistency and easier serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 363
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg