Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and challenge everything you thought you knew about desserts! This isn't just another boring ice cream recipe - it's a gourmet experience that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary sensory journey. Imagine the rich, velvety chocolate melting on your tongue, perfectly complemented by the unexpected, aromatic whisper of fresh rosemary. This isn't just an ice cream; it's a sophisticated dessert that will make you the star of any gathering, impressing even the most discerning food lovers.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and finely chopped fresh rosemary. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar completely dissolves.
- Remove the pan from heat and whisk in cocoa powder until smooth and fully incorporated, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Allow the mixture to steep for 15 minutes, allowing rosemary to infuse its aromatic flavor into the cream base.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove rosemary pieces, pressing gently to extract maximum flavor.
- Stir in vanilla extract and let the mixture cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until completely chilled.
- Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's instructions, typically 20-25 minutes.
- During the last 5 minutes of churning, gradually add chocolate chips to distribute evenly throughout the ice cream.
- Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 4-6 hours until firm.
- Before serving, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly for easier scooping.
Tips
- Use fresh rosemary for the most vibrant flavor - dried herbs won't provide the same aromatic complexity.
- Ensure your cream mixture is completely chilled before churning to achieve the smoothest texture.
- For an extra luxurious touch, use high-quality dark chocolate chips with at least 60% cocoa content.
- If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can use the no-churn method by whipping the cream before folding in other ingredients.
- To prevent ice crystals, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before freezing.
- Experiment with different chocolate chip varieties like milk, dark, or even white chocolate for unique flavor profiles.
- Allow the rosemary to steep longer for a more intense herbaceous note, but be careful not to overpower the chocolate.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 408kcal
Carbohydrates: 43g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 53mg
