Frequently asked questions
This one goes in our hall of fame of ice cream recipes, along with this mint chip and of course, the classic vanilla. You don’t even need any actual chocolate (though of course you can add mix ins!).
Whole milk Heavy cream Cornstarch Cocoa powder Granulated sugar Salt Vanilla extract
Freezer bowl ice cream maker (inexpensive). This type of ice cream maker is the most economical choice. Here’s the 2 quart freezer bowl ice cream maker we use; it’s a little pricier than some but it’s held up well over the years. Be sure to freeze the base of the ice cream maker overnight before making this recipe. Automatic ice cream maker (expensive but easy to use!). Do you make ice cream often? Consider this automatic ice cream maker, which is larger and more expensive. It requires no pre-freezing of the base, so you can make ice cream on a moment’s notice.
Make the custard (5 minutes): Simmer the cornstarch, whole milk, cocoa powder and sugar for 4 to 5 minutes, taking care that it doesn’t boil. Then add in the heavy cream, more milk, vanilla, and salt. Cool the custard (1 hour or overnight): Cool down the custard before churning it. You can do this in a few ways. The quickest is to transfer the mixture to a large metal or glass bowl and place the bowl in a smaller bowl of ice water for 1 hour. Churn (25 minutes): Churn the ice cream in the ice cream maker. Freeze or “ripen” for hard ice cream texture (at least 2 hours or overnight): Freeze the ice cream for 2 hours or overnight for a scoop-able, hard ice cream texture.
Here are our top mix in ideas for chocolate ice cream. Mix them in right in the container before serving, or you can place them in the ice cream maker in the last minute.
Double chocolate: Add chocolate chunks using the method from Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Rocky road: Add toasted almonds and torn marshmallows (or mini marshmallows); go to Rocky Road Ice Cream. Cookie dough: Use the cookie dough from this Cookie Dough Ice Cream recipe Brownie bits: Crumble in bits of brownie before freezing. Crushed cookies or candies: Try crushed Oreos or M&Ms.
Go for classics like Vanilla Ice Cream, Strawberry Ice Cream, or Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Get fancy with Rocky Road Ice Cream, Lavender Ice Cream, or Cookie Dough Ice Cream Opt for Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream or get buzzed with Coffee Ice Cream Skip the dairy with Vegan Ice Cream
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