Silky-Smooth Coffee Ice Cream Recipe: Sweet Homemade Bliss

Rich, velvety coffee ice cream revamps ordinary dessert into an extraordinary sensory experience.

Smooth caffeine-infused sweetness whispers promises of indulgence and comfort.

Cold brewing techniques elevate the traditional frozen treat with intense, deep flavor profiles.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with robust coffee undertones, creating a sophisticated dessert that tantalizes sophisticated palates.

The delicate balance between sweetness and bitter coffee notes promises a complex gustatory journey.

Smooth, silky, and intensely aromatic, this dessert captures the essence of your favorite cafe in a single scoop.

Professional pastry techniques ensure a luxurious, restaurant-quality result that will impress even discerning guests.

Coffee Ice Cream That Satisfies Your Sweet Buzz

• Create Cafe-Style Dessert at Home: Transform your kitchen into a gourmet ice cream parlor with this professional-grade coffee ice cream recipe that delivers rich, authentic flavors without leaving your house.
• Luxurious Creamy Texture Perfection: The careful custard-making process ensures a silky, smooth consistency that melts beautifully on your tongue, offering a restaurant-quality dessert experience right from your freezer.
• Quick Brewing Method with Deep Flavor: Using coffee concentrate allows for intense coffee notes without watering down the ice cream, creating a bold, robust taste that coffee lovers will absolutely adore.
• Customizable Gourmet Treat: This recipe provides flexibility for adding personal touches like chocolate chips, caramel swirls, or a sprinkle of espresso powder, making it adaptable to individual preferences and perfect for impressing guests at dinner parties or summer gatherings.

What Goes Into Bold and Creamy Coffee Ice Cream

• Heavy Cream: Rich and creamy foundation that gives smooth texture to the ice cream.
• Whole Milk: Adds lightness and helps create perfect ice cream consistency.
• Egg Yolks: Creates rich, custard-like base with silky smooth mouthfeel.

• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps prevent ice crystals.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out coffee flavor.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies overall flavor profile.

• Coffee Concentrate: Delivers strong, authentic coffee flavor throughout the ice cream.
• Plastic Wrap: Prevents skin formation during cooling process.
• Mesh Strainer: Optional tool to ensure smooth, silky custard texture.

Making Coffee Ice Cream in Just a Few Steps

Step 1: Prepare Ice Cream Maker

Ensure your ice cream maker is ready by chilling the churning bowl in the freezer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This typically requires freezing for 24 hours before use.

Step 2: Create Custard Base

• Heavy cream
• Whole milk
• Egg yolks
• Granulated sugar
• Coffee concentrate
• Salt

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Warm the mixture over low-medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Heat until the mixture is steaming but not boiling.

Step 3: Thicken Custard

Continue cooking and stirring for 8-10 minutes. The custard is ready when it coats the back of a wooden spoon and leaves a clear path when you run your finger through it.

Step 4: Add Flavor

Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in vanilla extract to enhance the coffee flavor.

Step 5: Cool Custard Quickly

Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Place the bowl in a larger container filled with ice water. Stir occasionally to help the custard cool down rapidly.

Step 6: Prevent Skin Formation

Cover the custard directly with plastic wrap, pressing it onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.

Step 7: Chill Thoroughly

Refrigerate the custard for 2-3 hours until completely cold. The mixture should have a thick, pudding-like consistency.

Step 8: Churn Ice Cream

Pour the chilled custard into the prepared ice cream maker. Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically 20-25 minutes, until the mixture reaches a soft-serve consistency.

Step 9: Freeze and Set

Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Smooth the top with a spatula and cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap.

Step 10: Final Freezing

Place the container in the freezer for 4-6 hours or overnight until the ice cream is firm and scoopable.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop the coffee ice cream into bowls or cones. Optional: Garnish with chocolate shavings, caramel sauce, or whipped cream.

Expert Tips for Coffee Ice Cream That Hits the Spot

• Chill Your Equipment: Freeze the ice cream maker's bowl at least 24 hours before churning to ensure maximum freezing power and smoother texture.
• Select Premium Coffee: Use high-quality espresso or cold brew concentrate for deeper, richer coffee flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
• Control Custard Temperature: Maintain a gentle heat while cooking the custard base, stirring constantly to prevent egg yolks from scrambling and ensure silky smoothness.
• Strain for Perfection: Pour the warm custard through a fine-mesh strainer to catch any potential egg bits, creating an ultra-smooth ice cream base.
• Patience Pays Off: Allow sufficient freezing time after churning; overnight hardening develops more intense coffee notes and creates a firmer, more scoopable consistency.

How to Store and Scoop Coffee Ice Cream Later

• Refrigeration: Store homemade coffee ice cream in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and maintain its creamy texture.
• Freezing Duration: Keep ice cream in the coldest part of the freezer for up to 2 weeks. After that, ice crystals may start to form, affecting the smooth consistency.
• Reheating Method: Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to soften it slightly. This helps restore its original creamy texture and makes scooping easier.

Flavors and Treats That Go Well with Coffee Ice Cream

• Enhance Coffee Flavor: Pair this creamy coffee ice cream with a freshly brewed espresso or a rich cappuccino. The complementary coffee notes will intensify the dessert's deep, roasted flavor profile.
• Chocolate Decadence: Serve alongside dark chocolate brownies or chocolate-covered espresso beans. The bitter-sweet chocolate will perfectly balance the ice cream's smooth, sweet coffee essence.
• Nutty Crunch Complement: Sprinkle toasted almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts on top. These crunchy nuts add texture and bring out the warm, earthy undertones of the coffee ice cream.
• Caramel Swirl Delight: Drizzle with salted caramel sauce or serve with caramel-based cookies. The sweet, buttery caramel creates a luxurious contrast to the bold coffee flavor.

Ways to Flavor Coffee Ice Cream Beyond the Basics

• Espresso Explosion: Replace coffee concentrate with strong espresso shots for an intense caffeine kick. Add dark chocolate shavings on top for extra richness.
• Mocha Swirl: Mix in chocolate syrup during the churning process to create delicious chocolate-coffee marble effect. Fold in chocolate chips just before freezing for added texture.
• Caramel Coffee Crunch: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce throughout the ice cream base. Sprinkle crushed coffee beans or roasted almonds for a crunchy element that complements the smooth texture.
• Irish Cream Infusion: Incorporate a splash of Irish whiskey or Bailey's liqueur into the custard base for an adult version. Reduce sugar slightly to balance the alcohol's sweetness.

Coffee Ice Cream Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy coffee ice cream showcases rich espresso flavors blended with silky smooth dairy. Cold and luxurious dessert promises a delightful escape that transports you straight to an Italian café with each indulgent spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 ml) heavy cream
• 5 large egg yolks
• 1 cup (237 ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar

Coffee Ingredients:

• 1 ½ to 3 ounces (44 to 89 ml) cold brew coffee concentrate

Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the ice cream maker in advance, following the manufacturer’s specific preparation guidelines to ensure optimal freezing performance.
2. In a saucepan, blend heavy cream, milk, egg yolks, sugar, coffee concentrate, and salt, creating a rich base mixture for the ice cream.
3. Gently heat the mixture over low-medium temperature, stirring continuously to prevent scorching and promote even heating, allowing the ingredients to meld together without reaching a boiling point.
4. Cook the custard mixture for 8-10 minutes, monitoring its consistency until it thickens enough to delicately coat the back of a spoon, indicating proper texture development.
5. Remove from heat and incorporate vanilla extract, infusing the custard with an aromatic depth of flavor.
6. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, eliminating any potential lumps and ensuring a smooth texture.
7. Create an ice bath by placing the custard bowl into a larger container filled with ice, accelerating the cooling process for approximately 30-60 minutes.
8. Once the custard reaches room temperature, cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation and minimize oxidation.
9. Refrigerate the covered custard for 2 hours, allowing it to develop a delicate, pudding-like consistency and enhance flavor integration.
10. Transfer the chilled custard into the pre-frozen ice cream maker, churning according to manufacturer instructions until it reaches a firm soft-serve consistency.
11. Carefully transfer the churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container, ensuring smooth movement to maintain texture.
12. Freeze the ice cream for 8-10 hours until completely firm, allowing full crystallization and optimal flavor development.
13. Serve the coffee ice cream in chilled bowls or crisp waffle cones, garnishing with optional toppings like chocolate shavings or caramel drizzle.

Notes

• Chill your ice cream maker’s freezer bowl at least 24 hours before starting to ensure proper freezing during churning.
• Use high-quality coffee concentrate for the most robust and authentic coffee flavor in your homemade ice cream.
• When cooking the custard base, maintain a gentle heat to prevent egg yolks from scrambling and create a smooth, silky texture.
• Straining the hot custard through a fine-mesh sieve removes any potential egg bits, guaranteeing a creamy, luxurious consistency.
• Cover the custard directly with plastic wrap while cooling to prevent a skin from forming and maintain a perfectly smooth surface.
• For the best texture, allow the ice cream to fully set in the freezer for several hours before serving, which helps develop a rich, creamy scoop.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks, Drinks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 36g
• Saturated Fat: 22g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 43g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 210mg