Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

This Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is loaded with mini chocolate chips and sweet maraschino cherries.

I get that it’s winter, but I made you ice cream anyway. I hope you don’t mind… Who am I kidding, of course you don’t, it’s ice cream we’re talkin’ about–it has no season.

I could honestly care less about Valentine’s Day, but if you’re into that kind of thing, this Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is guaranteed to impress your sweetie.

Admittedly, I’m not all that into Valentine’s Day. I’m pretty sure it has everything to do with the fact that I’m the least romantic person on the face of the Earth. You can all feel sorry for Squirrel… Your sympathy is well-deserved. Shhh, don’t tell him I said that or he’ll expect it more often.

I ask Squirrel every year to spare me the flowers, boxes of mystery-filled chocolates, red and pink anything, etcetera and so forth. Last night he suggested we go out for dinner to celebrate our undying love for each other. Of course he was only joking about the undying love portion, but he was quite serious about dinner.

I told him I would join him for dinner under one condition: we don’t go out on actual Valentine’s Day (I hate having to witness all the mushy, lovey-dovey nonsense that will undoubtably occur that evening), no footsies under the table, and absolutely no hand-holding. Think of me as Samantha in Sex and the City in the episode when Smith tries to hold her hand while walking along the streets of NYC <---That's me! I'll do everything in my power to avoid the romantic act. While I'm not a fan of the holiday, some of you are, and that's okay. I am by all means not judging you... Okay, that's a lie. I'm totally judging you, but it doesn't count from behind a computer screen, right? I mean, that's how the world operates, am I wrong? Anyway, to each their own. And, if you are planning on celebrating with your lover, feel free to make and feed them this ice cream. How you feed them the ice cream is your business, so please keep the naughty details to yourself.

If you’re into maraschino cherries and semi-sweet chocolate swirled into vanilla bean ice cream with a hint of almond extract, then you’ve hit the jackpot with this Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. I’ve been eating it nonstop since I made it last week. I blame it for the extra pounds I’ve gained and the fact that I’m hitting the gym again.

Print Recipe

Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Creamy vanilla bean ice cream, semi-sweet chocolate, and maraschino cherries.

Yield: 1 quart

Total Time: 12 hours 12 minutes

Prep Time: 12 hours 5 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole milk, divided
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 and 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 vanilla bean, seeds removed
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Whisk 2 tablespoons of the milk with the cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth. 
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the cream cheese and salt together until smooth. 
3. Combine the remaining milk, cream, sugar, corn syrup, in a large saucepan. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat and continue to boil for exactly 4 minutes, no less and no more. Remove the pot from the heat and gradually whisk in the cornstarch mixture. 
4. Bring the mixture back to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring often, until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Remove the pot from the heat and gradually whisk the hot milk mixture into the cream cheese mixture until smooth. Whisk in the vanilla seeds and vanilla and almond extracts. If a few lumps remain, strain the mixture through a fine sieve. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container. Chill for at least 8 hours, or overnight. 
5. Pour the ice cream base into the frozen bowl of an ice cream maker. Spin until thick and creamy, about 25 minutes. Once the ice cream becomes thick, add the chopped maraschino cherries and mini chocolate chips.
6. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe storage container with an airtight lid. Freeze for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).  

All images and text ©One Sweet Mess.

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