I talk a lot when I’m nervous. Like, ramble to the point where I look back and sigh, really, Kristin? REALLY? Networking events makes this introvert sweat – I never know what’s going to come out of my mouth!
While I’m never nervous typing to you, I feel like I’m on the cusp of an incredibly wordy, word-vomit post because I’m just so excited about this recipe for Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Ice Cream. I’ll try to come to a happy place in the middle for you though. You’re welcome.
Here’s the deal: KitchenAid recently challenged me to COOL DOWN HOT CHOCOLATE and make a homemade hot chocolate ice cream recipe with my KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer. Ben got me this baby, gosh, 4 or 5 years ago and it is an absolute work horse. I use it for everything from mixing up cakes and muffins, to making whipped cream, and now churning homemade ice cream, gelato, and sorbet. (Don’t mind my plaid PJs!)
Now, you might think the season that shall not be named is not the best time of year to make homemade ice cream, but I beg to differ. When you’re snuggled into your couch on a chilly, blustery night, perhaps with a fire roaring in front of you, a scoop of cold ice cream can be Heavenly in the cozy warmth.
KitchenAid sent me their Ice Cream Maker Attachment to complete the challenge, which affixes to the base of the stand mixer and produces soft-consistency ice cream, and I knew exactly what flavor of ice cream I’d be making when it showed up on my doorstep. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Ice Cream.
Have you ever had Starbucks’ Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate? (If not, get in your car and drive straight to the nearest store for a fix.) This hot chocolate ice cream tastes exactly like it! Intensely chocolaty, thick and creamy, with a salted caramel twist. Buttery smooth and decadent.
The reason I’m loving this recipe so much, besides the mind-melting (har) flavor is because it’s Philadelphia-style ice cream vs French-style which means you don’t need to make an egg custard for the ice cream base. If you can heat ingredients in a saucepan – you can make this ice cream. Also because while my KitchenAid Stand Mixer and Ice Cream Maker Attachment made whipping up this ice cream very easy, you don’t need either to make it. I’ll show you!
Start by collecting all your ingredients. Many of them are fridge and pantry staples (granulated sugar refused to join the group photo, FYI.)
First add 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1 cup 2% milk, and 1/4 cup each sugar and cocoa powder to a large saucepan over medium heat.
Next add 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt (look for this in the bulk bins if you don’t want to buy an entire container.) The sea salt is what takes this ice cream over the top. That slightly salty bite is perfect to cut the richness. Whisk the ingredients together then bring to a simmer, stirring every so often.
Meanwhile get your chocolate ready. Mmm…chocolate. You’ll need 4oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped finely.
And 1 King-size Caramello Bar. This bar is serving double duty to both amp up the chocolate factor and provide sweet caramel flavor to the ice cream.
Add the chopped bittersweet chocolate and Caramello bar squares to the ice cream base then whisk until melted. It helps to kind of crush the Caramello squares to get ’em going.
Once the chocolate has melted, remove the pan from the heat then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Now you could certainly drink the hot chocolate at this point (guilty,) but since we’re making ice cream we need to cool it down. Pour the mixture into a large glass bowl then place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on top to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until completely chilled, 4-6 hours, or overnight.
The result is a thick and ultra-decadent mixture that has the consistency of pudding. YUM.
Alas, our final goal is ice cream, so pop the mixture into the Ice Cream Maker Attachment and proceed according to package instructions.
Once the mixture is ready, scoop it into a shallow dish, cover with another sheet of plastic wrap, and then freeze until hardened a bit, 2-3 hours.
Finally, scoop then savor the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Ice Cream!
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Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Ice Cream
Description
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Ice Cream tastes like Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. Thick, luxurious, ultra-decadent - and no ice cream maker required!
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 4oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 King-sized Caramello Bar (2.7oz)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
- Whisk together heavy whipping cream, milk, sugar, cocoa powder, and sea salt in a large saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, whisking every so often. Add bittersweet chocolate and Caramello bar, crushing squares slightly with fingers, then whisk until melted and smooth. Remove pan from heat then stir in vanilla.
- Pour mixture into a large glass bowl then place saran wrap directly on top to prevent a skin from forming. Cool slightly then place in the refrigerator to chill completely, 4 hours or overnight. Freeze according to your ice cream maker's instructions.
- If making without an ice cream maker: Pour chilled ice cream base into a large glass bowl or in the bowl of your electric mixer then place in the freezer until the sides have begun to freeze, 45-60 minutes. Using a whisk, hand-held mixer, or electric mixer, mix ice cream on low speed until smooth. Scrape sides then place back in the freezer and repeat mix/scrape process until ice cream is thick, 4-5 rounds (I needed 4.) Scoop into a shallow dish then place plastic wrap on top and freeze for 2-3 hours or until firm. Hand churned is best when consumed within 2 days.
Notes
Inspired by A Beautiful Mess.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
This was my first attempt at making homemade ice cream and I was THRILLED with how it turned out. Such a treat, and I loved the cold twist on a hot drink.
Now, as promised, you CAN make ice cream without an ice cream maker. Here’s how you do it:
- Pour the chilled ice cream base into a large glass bowl or in the bowl of your electric mixer then place it in the freezer until the sides begin to freeze, 45-60 minutes.
- Next, using a whisk, hand-held mixer, or electric mixer, mix the ice cream on low speed until smooth. Scrape the sides then place the bowl back into the freezer and repeat the mix/scrape process until the ice cream is thick, 4-5 rounds (I needed 4.)
- Scoop the ice cream into a shallow dish then place a piece of plastic wrap on top and freeze for 2-3 hours or until firm. Hand churned is best when consumed within 2 days.
Enjoy!
Liza @ Views From the 'Ville 12.23.2013
I have made ice cream, and it was GrapeNut flavor (Vanilla Bean ice cream with crunchy GrapeNut cereal mixed in. It’s a Maine thing).
Ryan Schurman 12.23.2013
I’ve never make ice cream before, but I think it would definitely be worth it!
Jill 12.23.2013
Love homemade chocolate ice cream! We made it a lot as a kid. I would use the gift card towards a kitchen aid mixer. I have wanted one for years!
Jenny 12.23.2013
Love this recipe! Thank you for the mixer-free instructions as well! This summer I made homemade Dark Chocolate Raspberry frozen yogurt from scratch and it was divine!
Danyelle 12.23.2013
I’ve attempted making chocolate ice cream before, it came out ok but it wasn’t fantastic I guess I need to keep trying and tweaking the recipe
Vickie 12.23.2013
Yes, I have..vanilla bean turned out the best..but, have also made peach, strawberry, and mango..oh, rum raisin too…Thanks Merry Christmas
MP 12.23.2013
My sisters and I made vanilla ice cream one year on the 4th of July. We used one of those ice cream balls to freeze it. It was…not great. A lot of work for very little result. Yours looks delicious!
Kendra 12.23.2013
I’m pretty sure we made vanilla ice cream in chemistry at school – – besides that, I leave it up to DQ, Coldstone, or if you’re in Cedar Falls – Four Queens!! :)
Danielle Reed 12.23.2013
Chocolate Chip Coffee ice cream has been my recent ice cream attempt. I liked it, it was almost like a frozen mocha! I can’t wait to try your recipe though, it sounds amazing.
Vicki F 12.23.2013
We made ice cream many times using an old fashion hand crank machine. It was a lot of work, but if you can recruit the older kids, they love it and get the job done nicely. Our favorite flavors were using the fresh fruit that was in season at the time; blueberry, peach, blackberry, and raspberry were great, but strawberry was the winner!
kristen 12.23.2013
I have never made homemade ice cream but would love to try this. I make banana soft serve all the time though.
Megan S. 12.23.2013
Yes. I have made a couple of flavors strawberry cheesecake and good old fashioned vanilla.
Kelli 12.23.2013
I’ve made salted caramel before, but this hot chocolate version sounds amazing
Aska 12.23.2013
I recently made the chewiest, softest cookies using a new recipe I found online!
Faith 12.23.2013
I made vanilla ice cream with my grandma once in her old fashion ice cream maker. It was so good! I can’t wait to try this one, I just got a Kitchen Aid Mixer as an early Christmas Present. :)
Kaci B 12.23.2013
I have never made ice cream before! I would definitely try to make a mint chocolate chip version if I did!
Ashley Christman 12.23.2013
Never made Ice Cream before, but I’d love to try!
Yashica 12.23.2013
https://twitter.com/everythangshic/status/415197865565097984
Yashica 12.23.2013
I have never made ice cream but have always wanted to….just don’t have the right tools to do it with…this would be awesome
Marlene T 12.23.2013
No I have never made ice cream but I also don’t have a Kitchen Aide. Would love to win one! Thanks for the chance!