Lavish Brandied Cherry-and-Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Recipe

Sweet summer nights call for a decadent brandied cherry and chocolate chunk ice cream that promises pure bliss.

Creamy homemade ice cream studded with rich chocolate chunks becomes an irresistible dessert for chocolate lovers.

Dark, luscious cherries soaked in brandy add sophisticated depth to this frozen treat.

Each spoonful delivers a luxurious combination of smooth, velvety texture and intense flavors.

The contrasting elements of sweet cherries and deep chocolate create a harmonious symphony on your palate.

Handcrafted with care, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience.

Prepare to elevate your summer nights with this show-stopping homemade ice cream that will impress even the most discerning dessert enthusiasts.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 2-4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 359 kcal

Servings: 8

Brandied Cherry Ice Cream Ingredient Guide

• Heavy Cream: Rich foundation that creates smooth, luxurious texture and adds depth to ice cream's mouthfeel.
• Whole Milk: Balances cream's richness, contributes to creamy consistency without being overly heavy.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps prevent ice crystals, ensuring soft, scoopable dessert.

• Egg Yolks: Provides silky custard base, enriches flavor, and helps create incredibly smooth ice cream texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens overall flavor profile, complementing chocolate and cherry notes with warm undertones.
• Brandy: Adds sophisticated adult twist, tenderizes cherries, and prevents ice crystals from forming.

• Fresh Cherries: Brings bright, tart fruitiness and vibrant color to the ice cream, creating delightful textural contrast.
• Dark Chocolate Chunks: Introduces rich, intense cocoa flavor and satisfying bite throughout the dessert.

Ice Cream Tools You’ll Want for Cherry Chunks

• Medium saucepan: Perfect for cooking cherries and preparing custard base.
• Small saucepan: Ideal for making brandied cherry mixture.
• Whisk: Essential for blending egg yolks and tempering eggs smoothly.
• Fine-mesh sieve: Crucial for straining custard and removing egg bits.
• Mixing bowl: Needed for whisking eggs and cooling mixtures.
• Ice cream maker: Mandatory for churning and freezing ice cream.
• Airtight container: Necessary for storing and freezing finished ice cream.
• Wooden spoon: Helpful for stirring mixtures while cooking.

How to Make Brandied Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream

• Infuse Cherries in Sweet Brandy

Combine cherries, sugar, and brandy in a saucepan. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until sugar melts and mixture becomes slightly syrupy. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and let cool completely.

• Create Silky Custard Base

Warm cream, milk, and sugar in a saucepan until steaming. Whisk egg yolks separately with remaining sugar until creamy and pale. Slowly blend hot cream into egg mixture, stirring constantly to prevent curdling.

• Cook and Strain Custard

Return mixed liquid to pan, cooking over low heat while stirring. Watch for thickening that coats the spoon. Remove from heat, strain through fine sieve to catch any egg bits. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for several hours.

• Churn Decadent Ice Cream

Pour chilled custard into ice cream maker. Churn according to machine instructions. During final churning minutes, fold in brandied cherries and chocolate chunks.

• Freeze and Serve

Transfer churned ice cream to airtight container. Freeze for 2-4 hours until firm. Scoop and savor the rich, complex flavors of this luxurious dessert.

Flavor Variations for Brandied Cherry Ice Cream

• Boozy Cherry Swirl Secrets: Tips and Twists
• Brandy Intensity Control: Adjust brandy amount to personal taste; less for mild flavor, more for bold kick.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond milk for lactose-free version.
• Chocolate Lover's Hack: Experiment with dark, milk, or white chocolate chunks for different flavor profiles.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Ice cream base can be prepared 2-3 days in advance, ensuring deeper flavor development.
• Low-Sugar Option: Replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for reduced-calorie dessert alternative.

Serving Ideas for Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream

• Sweet Dessert Companion: Pair this rich ice cream with a crisp almond biscotti or delicate shortbread cookie for added texture and crunch.
• Liquor-Friendly Pairing: Serve alongside a small glass of brandy or port wine to enhance the brandied cherry flavor and create a sophisticated dessert experience.
• Decadent Sundae Style: Top the ice cream with fresh chocolate shavings, a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce, and a few extra brandied cherries for an indulgent presentation that highlights the dessert's complex flavors.
• Seasonal Garnish: During summer, add a sprinkle of fresh mint leaves or a few toasted almond slivers to brighten the rich, creamy dessert and provide a subtle complementary note.

Store Brandied Ice Cream for Later

• Chilling Strategy: Transfer the freshly churned ice cream to a shallow, wide container for faster and more even freezing, helping maintain its creamy texture.
• Smart Storage Solution: Keep the ice cream in an airtight, freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and preserve its rich flavor profile.
• Temperature Tip: Store the ice cream at the back of the freezer where temperature remains most consistent, avoiding frequent fluctuations that can impact texture.
• Serving Suggestion: Remove the ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly, allowing for easier scooping and optimal flavor release.

Indulgent Brandied Cherry-And-Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Brandied cherry-and-chocolate chunk ice cream combines rich, creamy textures with luxurious French-inspired flavors. Sweet cherries and dark chocolate create a sophisticated dessert that delights discerning palates and offers pure indulgence in each cool spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups (473 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (237 ml) whole milk
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved
• ½ cup dark chocolate chunks or chips
• ¼ cup (60 ml) brandy
• 2 tsps vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Cherry Preparation: Gently simmer cherries with sugar and brandy in a saucepan until liquid reduces to a luxurious syrup, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and cool completely.
2. Cream Base Development: Warm cream, milk, and partial sugar in a saucepan until steaming. Simultaneously, whisk egg yolks with remaining sugar until pale and silky. Carefully temper egg mixture by gradually incorporating hot cream while whisking continuously.
3. Custard Refinement: Return tempered mixture to saucepan, stirring over low heat until custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Strain through fine-mesh sieve to ensure smoothness, then cool to room temperature and refrigerate for 4-6 hours to intensify flavors.
4. Churning and Incorporation: Pour chilled custard into ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions. During final moments of churning, fold in brandied cherries with their syrupy essence and chocolate chunks for even distribution.
5. Freezing and Serving: Transfer freshly churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for 2-4 hours until achieving desired consistency. Scoop and enjoy this decadent brandied cherry-chocolate frozen delicacy.

Notes

• Prevent Curdling Carefully: Slowly temper egg yolks by adding hot cream gradually while constantly whisking to avoid scrambling eggs, ensuring smooth custard base.
• Strain for Silky Texture: Always strain custard through fine-mesh sieve to remove any potential egg fragments, creating ultra-smooth ice cream consistency.
• Control Simmering Closely: When macerated cherries are cooking, stir frequently and maintain gentle heat to prevent burning and develop perfect syrupy texture.
• Patience Matters: Allow custard to chill thoroughly in refrigerator for minimum 4 hours, which develops deeper flavor complexity and helps ice cream set properly.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2-4 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 469
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 186 mg