Decadent Espresso Stracciatella Ice Cream
Indulge in the rich, creamy delight of Decadent Espresso Stracciatella Ice Cream! This easy-to-make recipe eliminates the hassle of instant coffee or tedious steeping methods while delivering a luxurious flavor. Using freshly brewed espresso combined with creamy evaporated milk and luscious heavy cream, this treat is enhanced by the delicate sweetness of sugar and the warmth of vanilla. The crowning glory is the velvety dark chocolate shavings that swirl throughout, yielding a symphony of flavor and texture in every bite. Perfect for coffee lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike, this ice cream is your ticket to a café-like experience at home, and it requires only a handful of egg yolks to achieve its divine creaminess. Get ready to scoop into a heavenly dessert that will impress family and friends!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Freshly brewed espresso
2/3 cup (Brewed from 2 espressos)
Evaporated milk
1/3 cup (None)
Heavy cream
2 cups (None)
Sugar
3/4 cup (Divided)
Egg yolks
3 (Separated from whites)
Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (None)
Dark chocolate chips
5 ounces (Recommended: Toll House Dark Chocolate Morsels)
Vegetable oil
2 teaspoons (None)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, combine the freshly brewed espresso, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. Set over medium-low heat and cook until the mixture is just starting to simmer, stirring occasionally.
2
While the espresso mixture heats, whisk the egg yolks with 1/4 cup of sugar in a separate bowl until the mixture is pale yellow and slightly thickened.
3
Gradually add about a cup of the hot espresso-cream mixture to the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously to temper the eggs. This step is crucial to avoid scrambling the yolks.
4
Pour the tempered mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining espresso mixture. Whisk in the rest of the sugar and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until it reaches a temperature of 175 degrees F (around 5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
5
Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours or overnight for the best flavor.
6
Once chilled, pour the mixture into a pre-chilled ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
7
While the ice cream is churning, melt the chocolate chips with the vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 45 seconds, then stir. If necessary, continue to microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
8
As the ice cream churns, slowly drizzle in the melted chocolate. Use a rubber spatula to guide the chocolate, creating thin, delicate shavings that will merge perfectly into the ice cream.
9
Once fully mixed, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze until firm, typically 4-6 hours or overnight.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Espresso Stracciatella Ice Cream?
It is a rich, creamy coffee-flavored ice cream featuring freshly brewed espresso, evaporated milk, and heavy cream, filled with delicate dark chocolate shavings.
What type of coffee is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2/3 cup of freshly brewed espresso, typically brewed from 2 espressos.
Does this recipe require instant coffee?
No, this recipe eliminates the need for instant coffee or tedious steeping by using freshly brewed espresso.
How much heavy cream is needed?
The recipe requires 2 cups of heavy cream.
What is the role of evaporated milk in this ice cream?
Evaporated milk is combined with the cream and espresso to provide a creamy texture and rich base.
How many egg yolks are used?
This recipe uses 3 egg yolks, which help achieve its divine creaminess.
How much sugar is required and how is it used?
A total of 3/4 cup of sugar is used; 1/4 cup is whisked with the egg yolks, and the remainder is added later to the saucepan.
How do I temper the egg yolks?
Gradually add about a cup of the hot espresso-cream mixture to the whisked egg yolks while whisking continuously to avoid scrambling the eggs.
To what temperature should the custard be cooked?
The mixture should be cooked over medium-low heat until it reaches a temperature of 175 degrees F.
How long does it take to cook the custard base?
It typically takes around 5 minutes of constant stirring to reach the target temperature.
When should I add the vanilla extract?
Remove the mixture from the heat first, then stir in the 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
How long must the mixture chill before churning?
The mixture needs to chill for at least two hours or overnight for the best flavor.
What type of chocolate is recommended for the stracciatella?
The recipe recommends 5 ounces of dark chocolate chips, specifically Toll House Dark Chocolate Morsels.
Why is vegetable oil added to the chocolate?
Two teaspoons of vegetable oil are added to help the chocolate melt smoothly and create the proper consistency for drizzling.
How do I melt the chocolate chips?
Microwave them with the oil for 45 seconds, stir, and then continue in 15-second intervals until completely smooth.
When do I add the chocolate to the ice cream?
The melted chocolate should be slowly drizzled into the ice cream maker while it is churning the mixture.
What consistency should the ice cream be when adding chocolate?
The chocolate should be added once the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency.
How are the chocolate shavings created?
By drizzling the melted chocolate slowly and using a rubber spatula to guide it, thin shavings are formed as the chocolate hits the cold cream.
How long does the ice cream need to freeze after churning?
It should be frozen in an airtight container for 4-6 hours or overnight until firm.
Is an ice cream maker required for this recipe?
Yes, the instructions specify using an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
What is the preparation for the egg yolks?
The egg yolks should be separated from the whites before starting the recipe.
What is the preparation for the espresso?
The espresso should be freshly brewed from two espresso shots to equal 2/3 cup.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 ingredients in total.
What color should the egg yolk and sugar mixture be?
Whisk them together until the mixture is pale yellow and slightly thickened.
Can I store this ice cream in any container?
It is recommended to transfer the ice cream to an airtight container for freezing.
What are the primary flavor tags for this recipe?
The tags include ice cream, espresso, stracciatella, chocolate, and coffee.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, it is described as an easy-to-make recipe that provides a café-like experience at home.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
How much vegetable oil is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil.
What makes this a 'stracciatella' style ice cream?
The 'stracciatella' refers to the technique of drizzling melted chocolate into the churning ice cream to create thin, irregular shards.