The ice cream is creamy and unique, with a caramel base that makes it unbelievably flavorful. You'll need an ice cream machine, and let me tell you, it's worth every step.
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What's unique about this ice cream
It has a deep and interesting flavor with a molasses undertone, because what is brown sugar if not white sugar with molasses, right?
The brown sugar is caramelized first. And it's a flavor powerhouse. And though I love an easy vanilla ice cream or cookie ice cream with brown sugar, this is an entirely different taste. Punchy, deep and unforgettable.
The rest of the recipe involves a classic custard base with egg yolks, cream and milk-and an ice cream machine. Yes, this is an old-fashioned recipe and worth every minute spent making it.
My dessert repertoire sometimes includes a lot of recipes with brown sugar (like this cheesecake with brown sugar and ginger loaf), as it adds a fantastic caramel flavor. This ice cream was waiting to be shared.
Make the brown sugar custard
This is the base of traditional, old-fashioned ice cream.
It's yolk-based and not complicated to make, but you must be focused and watch the mixture so it doesn't burn or scorch.
Caramel
The base is a brown sugar caramel to which milk and cream are added. The caramel hardens in parts, so we have to return it to the stove to melt.
Egg yolks
The caramel cream mixture is added to the yolks which have been beaten with the sugar until somewhat thick and light in color. Use a hand whisk to constantly stir in order to avoid curdling.
Custard
The custard preparation is returned to the stove to cook further until it thickens and is ready to chill.
Straining the mixture: if there are bits of cooked egg that formed when you cooked the custard, strain the mixture before churning. It happens, and you don't want to bite into them.
When is the custard ready?
- It coats the back of a spoon: dip a spoon into the custard, then run your finger along the back of the spoon. If the custard leaves a clean line and does not run back together, it is ready. This is often referred to as the "nappe" consistency.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to measure the custard's temperature. It should be between 170°F and 175°F (77°C and 80°C). At this temperature range, the custard will thicken sufficiently without curdling. I hardly ever use this method, but it might be a good idea if you're a beginner until you get the feel of how the custard should be.
Churning
The cold brown sugar custard is churned in the ice cream machine according to manufacturer's instructions. This prevents crystallization.
The ice cream will still be soft in places if using a basic machine, but it will firm up nicely after a few hours in the freezer.
Storing ice cream
Use a freezer-safe container. This will help prevent freezer burn (with that awful taste!) and keep your ice cream fresh. Metal loaf pans make great containers.
Consistent temperature: Avoid storing ice cream in a freezer that experiences fluctuations in temperature, as this can cause it to melt and refreeze, resulting in a less desirable texture, usually crystallized.
Don't overcrowd the freezer: Make sure there is enough space before you start making this recipe.
Kitchen Notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperature, utensils and equipment needed, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier.
- Ice cream machine: I have an old one, and it works great. This is the updated version of my Cuisinart ice cream maker. Keep in mind that home machines (as opposed to professional ones) require the custard to be very cold, so plan for that extra time needed. After churning, the cream will be thicker and frozen in parts, but it's usually uneven, so you need to freeze it for a couple more hours.
There are now better ones to use at home, so, depending on your budget, you might be able to afford one that helps you shorten chilling time. - Ice cream spoons or scoops: they're great for serving and getting consistent scoops every time. I have this OXO stainless steel scoop and love it, and I also use the large one from this cookie scoop set, and it's also great.
- What to do with the egg whites? You can refrigerate them for a week or freeze them for a month in an airtight container.
Serving
Plain: whether in a bowl or a waffle cone, this ice cream has enough flavor to stand on its own.
With caramelized fruit: This is how I served it back in the day when I first made this ice cream. I cooked sliced apricots, blueberries and peaches in a wok with butter and brown sugar. It's a fantastic way of eating it.
As a dessert topping, brow sugar pairs well with many classic flavors, like apple bars or apple pie. Scooping it on top of a square of fudgy brownies or hazelnut brownies transforms a simple bar into a whole dessert. I personally love it with spiced pear cobbler and apple dump cake (when not drizzling caramel sauce).
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Brown Sugar Ice Cream (old-fashioned)
Ingredients
For the brown sugar ice cream:
- 2 cups milk, whole
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 6 egg yolks, large, at room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt, optional
Instructions
- Make sure your ice cream bowl is frozen before starting the recipe.
For the brown sugar ice cream:
- Combine 2 cups milk and 2 cups heavy cream in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat.
- Meanwhile, put 1 cup brown sugar in a clean saucepan larger than the one with the milk, and melt over medium heat. It will be grainy at first and will start to come together and deepen in color. Be careful not to burn it. When it's a deep brown, which will be a few minutes since it's already brown, remove from heat and add the milk mixture. It will bubble up furiously. Be careful. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula with a long handle.
- Return to low heat and stir until the caramel is completely melted.
- In a large bowl, whisk 6 egg yolks to mix.
- Very slowly add the hot caramel mixture, just a bit at a time at first, so you don't curdle the eggs. Whisk constantly while adding the rest of the milk mixture and return to the same pan where you made the caramel.
- Cook it over low heat for about 5 minutes, until it starts to thicken. Be careful not to let it boil.
- Strain through a fine mesh to catch any curdled bits and transfer to a clean bowl. Add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract and pinch sea salt if using. Let it cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until very cold if needed for your ice cream machine (it might take several hours).
- Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions.
- Transfer to a metal or freezer-safe container and freeze for several hours until solid.
mjskit says
You could have stopped at the brown sugar ice cream and I would have been quite happy! But then you had to go and add the fruit! If I could find fresh fruit this time of year, I'd be making this in today. However, since I have no problems eating ice cream in the winter, the ice cream is still doable. You're friends were quite lucky!
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
Caramelized fruits sounds fantastic!
Mica ♥ Imprimerie says
Brown sugar ICE CREAM and caramelized fruit? You got me at brown sugar 😀
Gloria says
look absolutely delicious!
Lizzy Do says
WOW...I love everything about this!!! I must make this when the weather warms up!
yummychunklet says
Oh, yum! This whole dessert sounds amazing.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Brown sugar ice cream sounds incredible!
Laura Dembowski says
I love when a day is pure perfection! I have to admit I'm quite jealous of your beautiful stone fruit. I can't wait until it's summer again here. Too bad I have a long winter to go.
Patty says
wow, love all those luscious fruits with your brown sugar ice cream-now I'm missing our summer;-)
Kathy says
Oh Paula, does this look good! Brown sugar ice cream…yummy!
SchweetLife says
This looks good! A touch of cinnamon might be a nice addition for the ice cream.
Medeja says
It's so hot here these days that I would be more than happy to have at least one spoon of this ice cream. Ok, 1 spoon wouldn't be enough, but still.. 😀 Sounds wonderful!
e / dig in says
you had a fabulous day! that fruit looks amazing. it would be great to have it with a light crisp crumble topping, or even just some toasted flaked almonds.
Guru Uru says
What a gorgeous festive dessert my friend 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Kalyn Denny says
Oh my, this sounds so good.
Cocoa and Lavender says
Wow - this sounds amazing! I think brown sugar or brown butter ANYthing would work for me. Don't you love perfect days? ~ David
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
Seriously, this could turn any bad day upside down - it looks AMAZING! I'm a huge brown sugar-anything fan, but I've never tried brown sugar ice cream. On my list!
Renee Dobbs says
Oh Paula, I just love that you love brown sugar and much as I do. What a great ice cream!!! I am saving this recipe.
Silvia says
Graet and delicious idea, Paula !
Baker Street says
Oh Yum! I don't think I've ever tried brown sugar ice cream! The caramelized fruits sound like a perfect match. 🙂