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Black Walnut Ice Cream

Black Walnut Ice Cream Recipe

Black walnut ice cream is a delicious vanilla-flavored ice cream made with an assortment of black walnuts.  The nutty flavor from the walnuts is balanced with a bit of sweetness from the granulated sugar, giving you a rich and sweet treat that’s perfect for your holiday table.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1 quart

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons black walnuts, chopped, divided
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped bittersweet chocolate

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. On a baking sheet, spread out all of the walnuts. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes, or until fragrant and toasted. Remove from heat.
  • Put cream and milk in a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat. Put 1 1/2 cups walnuts in a saucepan, bring to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of walnuts to the ice cream.
  • For the best flavor, let cool and steep in the fridge for at least one hour, or overnight.Make a large bowl and whisk together sugar, maple syrup, salt, and egg yolks.
  • Using a fine mesh sieve, strain the cream mixture into a medium saucepan, discarding the soaked walnuts. 
  • Slowly simmer the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once the hot cream mixture is melted, reduce the heat to low and whisk in 1 cup at a time. Repeat with another cup of hot cream mixture.
  • Cook the custard, stirring constantly until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes, after returning the tempered yolk mixture to the saucepan. Make sure it doesn't boil. 
  • Stir the vanilla into the strained mixture after straining through a fine mesh sieve. Cool to room temperature, if desired, with an ice bath. Make sure the container is covered and refrigerated for at least four hours or up to several days.
  • Use an ice cream machine to churn the mixture according to the manufacturer's instructions. 
  • Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of toasted black walnuts and chopped chocolate when the mixture reaches a soft serve consistency. 
  • You can serve it as is or transfer it to an airtight container and freeze it for about 12 hours until it is firm enough to scoop.
Keyword Black Walnut Ice Cream
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