Recipe: Classic Chocolate Ice Cream

When it comes to ice cream, classic recipes are best. Actually, when it comes to anything the classics are the best. This recipe is such a testament to that. If you have good milk and good cocoa powder, you’ll be amazed at how this ice cream turns out.

Domestocrat’s Classic Chocolate Ice Cream
2.5 cups whole milk
2.5 cups half and half
1 cup sugar
5 egg yolks
1 cup cocoa powder (I like Ghiradelli for this)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. kosher salt

Add all of the ingredients but the egg yolks to a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar has dissolved and cocoa powder is fully incorporated. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the mixture cook together for about 5 minutes.

While the base is done, prepare the egg yolks for tempering. Whisk them together in a separate, heat-safe bowl. To temper the eggs: Take a cup of the hot mixture and slowly pour it into the bowl of yolks, whisking quickly and constantly. You have to do this slowly or you’ll end up with scrambled eggs. I mix in just about 3 cups of my hot mixture before the temperature is up high enough to pour the entire bowl back into the sauce pan without scrambling the eggs.

After the eggs are fully incorporated into the mixture (now a custard, really), return the entire mixture to the stove and stir continuously over low heat until the mixture has fully thickened. This takes 7-10 minutes. Don’t skimp on the stirring, if you do the eggs will separate and the custard will be ruined! After the custard is done, transfer it back into the heat-safe bowl. Let the batter come to room temperature and then put it in the fridge overnight.

When the batter has chilled overnight, it’s time to make ice cream! According to your ice cream mixer manufacturer’s instructions, mix the batter in the attachment bowl until it becomes ice cream. For my KitchenAid, this takes 20-30 minutes. When it is done, transfer the ice cream into a tupperware container and freeze.

This classic chocolate ice cream is smooth, rich, sweet, and chocolately. Honesly? It tastes like a Wendy’s Frosty. No kidding!