Death by Chocolate Ice Cream features an ultra rich, thick, and creamy double chocolate custard-based ice cream with chocolate fudge swirled throughout. Every bite is a chocoholic's dream!
Yield:
1 1/2 quarts
Prep Time:30minutes
Cook:15minutes
Tessa's Recipe Rundown...
Taste: Ridiculously chocolaty without being bitter or overwhelming. Texture: Perfectly rich, luscious, and creamy. The slightly chewy and thick fudge swirl just takes it to a new level! Ease: This is a custard-based ice cream recipe, so there are a few extra steps and waiting periods involved. I promise it’s worth it! Pros: Possibly the best chocolate ice cream ever. Cons: Requires patience. Would I make this again? Oh yeah. Without a doubt!
I tested *hundreds* of batches of ice cream and got to the point where I was convinced I could have made perfect ice cream in my sleep. Writing a cookbook is a crazy whirlwind undertaking and now I have flashbacks to those messy, stressful, wonderful days any time I make ice cream. I actually made so much ice cream back then I had to buy another freezer.
Oh, and there was that time during the middle of the cookbook photoshoot at my house where my AC went out. In the middle of summer. In Phoenix, Arizona. Shooting ice cream in 100°F weather is something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemies…
SO, basically what I’m saying is that whenever I share an ice cream recipe, you know that I’ve got you covered. It’s gonna be good and this Death by Chocolate Ice Cream recipe is no joke! For serious chocoholics only.
How to Make Chocolate Ice Cream
The Custard Ice Cream Base:
I have a full step-by-step video tutorial on how to make custard based ice cream here. If you’ve never made custard ice cream before (where you cook an egg, milk, & cream mixture on the stove) then I highly suggest you watch it before making this recipe! Some more tips to keep in mind while you make your chocolate ice cream:
Do not substitute low-fat dairy products in this recipe. The fat in the cream and whole milk help give the ice cream its luxurious smooth and soft texture.
Same goes for the sugar. The sugar and fat help keep the ice cream soft.
Prepare the ice bath before you cook the custard so that you can immediately remove it from the heat and strain it into the ice bath. This stops the cooking process, preventing the custard from becoming overcooked. Overcooked custard will curdle.
Be careful when tempering the egg yolks. Whisk constantly as you slowly pour the hot cream mixture into the beaten yolks. This process allows you to gently heat the yolks so you don’t scramble them and end up with chunky ice cream.
For best results, use an instant-read thermometer to cook the custard to 175°F, or until the custard coats the back of a wooden spoon. If the mix is off by a couple of degrees, that’s fine. Whatever you do, do not stop stirring and do not let it boil.
CHURNING:
How to make ice cream with a machine:
I used my trusty Cuisinart Ice Cream machine to churn this ice cream. I’ve made literally hundreds of batches of ice cream in this machine and it’s never failed me.
If you’re using a machine like this, just make sure the freezer bowl is COMPLETELY frozen otherwise you’ll end up with soup instead of ice cream. I like to freeze mine overnight just to be sure. Also make sure your custard mixture is completely chilled before churning, for the same reason. Everything needs to be cold cold cold.
How to make ice cream WITHOUT a machine:
Although using an ice cream machine is the easiest way to get beautifully rich and creamy ice cream, I got you covered if you don’t have one. I have a full video tutorial showing you three ways to make ice cream without a machine here.
How to store & serve ice cream:
Store the ice cream in an airtight container with a sheet of plastic wrap pressed against the surface. This will help prevent ice from forming. The longer you freeze the more time the flavors will have to ripen.
If the ice cream is in the freezer for an extended period of time, let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before scooping and storing so it can soften. Remember, this is homemade stuff so there’s no stabilizers or softening agents in it! This ice cream scoop makes even the hardest ice cream scoop like butter. Store for up to 2 weeks in the freezer, though I doubt it’ll last that long!
Death by Chocolate Ice Cream features an ultra rich, thick, and creamy double chocolate custard-based ice cream with chocolate fudge swirled throughout. Every bite is a chocoholic's dream!
8ounces(227 grams) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted
4large egg yolks
For the fudge swirl:
1/4cupplus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
1tablespoonunsalted butter
1/4cup(50 grams) granulated sugar
2tablespoonspacked light brown sugar
1/2cup(85 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
1/8teaspoonfine salt
1/2teaspoonvanilla extract
Directions
Make the ice cream:
Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice cubes and 1 to 2 cups of water. Place a medium bowl fitted with a fine strainer inside the ice bath.
In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, cream, 1/2 cup sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla. Set over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is warm and begins to steam, about 5 minutes. Stir in the melted chocolate.
Whisk together the egg yolks and remaining 1/4 cup of sugar. Carefully whisk half of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks, one ladleful at a time, until the egg mixture is warmed. Whisk the egg-milk mixture back into the saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon and registers around 175°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 to 7 minutes. Be careful not to boil the mixture.
Immediately strain the mixture through the fine strainer into the prepared ice bath. Cool the custard in the ice bath until it reaches room temperature, stirring often. Press plastic wrap against the surface of the custard and refrigerate until chilled, about 4 hours or up to 1 day.
Make the fudge swirl:
Heat the cream, butter, and sugars in a small saucepan over low heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips. Let stand for 3 minutes before stirring completely smooth. Stir in the salt and vanilla. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before using. Fudge swirl can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before using.
Finish the ice cream:
Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions. Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container in batches, spooning the fudge swirl in between layers of ice cream in a swirled pattern. Press plastic wrap against the surface of the ice cream and freeze until it is firm, about 3 hours, before serving.
I share trusted baking recipes your friends will LOVE alongside insights into the science of sweets. I'm a professionally trained chef, cookbook author, and cookie queen. I love to write about all things sweet, carb-y, and homemade. I live in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the blog name!)
I will never forget when you shared the story of your AC going out on a podcast I heard you on (I think Food Blogger Pro? Maybe Season w/ Sass?). Regardless, you CLEARLY know your ice cream, and I think you for sharing your expertise with all of us, just in time for summer 🙂
Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss — May 11, 2016 at 5:29 am
OH MYYYY this ice cream looks like something out of a dream! Once I get a bigger kitchen I’m definitely going to be buying an ice cream maker. Death by chocolate is so decadent and delicious, I cannot wait to make this one day. Pinned!
Oh.. My. Wow! I just used your amazing recipe and it is to die for! I will call it my once a year ice cream, as I don’t think I should eat it more than once a year, but oh, what a way to die! LOL
Oh. My. God! Why do they only have 5 stars available? I would give it, like 20! This was my second attempt at making ice cream, and fear that everything else I make will be downhill from here. Incredible. Yum. I like several scoops of ice cream, but I have finally met my match. This stuff beat me up and knocked me out after one scoop!
Made this twice and I’ve been making ice cream for decades. It definitely needs a few more steps but the rich creamy perfection is well worth the effort. This year I’m making as base layer for my daughters birthday ice cream cake. Can hardly wait!!
Made this a bunch of times and it’s never failed. To be honest, I never added the fudge because I do have my limit of how much chocolate I can handle. I have made it on the side and poured it over a cone for the kids.
I still try other recipes but I always go back to this one. I do find it to be a bit low on the yield. Next time I’ll try a 1-1/2 batch
I made this ice cream and we fell in love . It’s so easy to make and delicious too .it is a favorite go to meal. I will definitely be making it my go to recipe for ice cream. 5+ stars.
Why do you chill the custard? When I put it into my ice cream maker it didn’t really churn, it was basically just a chilled lump in the middle. It tastes amazing – but I’m not sure what this step is doing.
Absolutely delicious! I had never used a heated method and it made such a difference. The tutorial video was helpful as well. My chocolate ice cream was rich and decadent and the fudge swirls creamy and decadent. I will be using the basic recipe to experiment with lots of flavours.
Oh my!!!! The best chocolate ice cream we have ever had! I made it according to your directions using and ice cream maker machine, and I have no issues. This Father’s Day weekend will be done again, and will have to double the recipe! Thanks Tessa much.
Oh my! Delicious ice cream. We have rated as the best ice cream we have ever had! Thanks for your directions and tips! This will be done again to celebrate Father’s Day this coming weekend! Tessa, thanks much!
When making Death by Chocolate ice-cream, how long do you set the automatic timer for on an ICE100?
I read so many different suggestions. One source said anywhere from 25 to 40 minutes. The definition of done is explained as when the ice-cream forms a solid mass and is no longer mixed by the paddle. Does this mean I need to sit by the ice-cream maker and watch it for 30 minutes? That’s no fun!
As a trained chef and cookbook author, I share trusted baking recipes your friends & family will love alongside insights into the science of sweets. I help take the luck out of baking so you *always* have delicious results! Learn more here.
Order your Ultimate Cookie Handbook Hardcopy!
Over 200 pages with 50+ cookie recipes that'll make you a COOKIE PRO. Discover how to turn your biggest cookie flops into WINS by mastering the sweet science of baking. Even learn how to customize your own recipes! Beautiful, hardcopy, full color, photos of every recipe so you know EXACTLY how your cookies should look. Order now to have the book delivered to your doorstep!
Do you want a more delicious life? Instead of digging through cookbooks and magazines and searching the internet for amazing recipes, subscribe to Handle the Heat to receive new recipe posts delivered straight to your email inbox. You’ll get all the latest recipes, videos, kitchen tips and tricks AND my *free* Cookie Customization Guide (because I am the Cookie Queen)!
I will never forget when you shared the story of your AC going out on a podcast I heard you on (I think Food Blogger Pro? Maybe Season w/ Sass?). Regardless, you CLEARLY know your ice cream, and I think you for sharing your expertise with all of us, just in time for summer 🙂
OH MYYYY this ice cream looks like something out of a dream! Once I get a bigger kitchen I’m definitely going to be buying an ice cream maker. Death by chocolate is so decadent and delicious, I cannot wait to make this one day. Pinned!
Oh.. My. Wow! I just used your amazing recipe and it is to die for! I will call it my once a year ice cream, as I don’t think I should eat it more than once a year, but oh, what a way to die! LOL
When do you swirl the swirl? I didn’t see where you add that to the ice cream machine?
this is the best ice cream ever i reccomend for chocolate lovers
Oh. My. God! Why do they only have 5 stars available? I would give it, like 20! This was my second attempt at making ice cream, and fear that everything else I make will be downhill from here. Incredible. Yum. I like several scoops of ice cream, but I have finally met my match. This stuff beat me up and knocked me out after one scoop!
Made this twice and I’ve been making ice cream for decades. It definitely needs a few more steps but the rich creamy perfection is well worth the effort. This year I’m making as base layer for my daughters birthday ice cream cake. Can hardly wait!!
Made this a bunch of times and it’s never failed. To be honest, I never added the fudge because I do have my limit of how much chocolate I can handle. I have made it on the side and poured it over a cone for the kids.
I still try other recipes but I always go back to this one. I do find it to be a bit low on the yield. Next time I’ll try a 1-1/2 batch
I made this ice cream and we fell in love . It’s so easy to make and delicious too .it is a favorite go to meal. I will definitely be making it my go to recipe for ice cream. 5+ stars.
Why do you chill the custard? When I put it into my ice cream maker it didn’t really churn, it was basically just a chilled lump in the middle. It tastes amazing – but I’m not sure what this step is doing.
Absolutely delicious! I had never used a heated method and it made such a difference. The tutorial video was helpful as well. My chocolate ice cream was rich and decadent and the fudge swirls creamy and decadent. I will be using the basic recipe to experiment with lots of flavours.
What if we don’t have an ice cream maker?what dhould we do to replace it.Thank you
Oh my!!!! The best chocolate ice cream we have ever had! I made it according to your directions using and ice cream maker machine, and I have no issues. This Father’s Day weekend will be done again, and will have to double the recipe! Thanks Tessa much.
Oh my! Delicious ice cream. We have rated as the best ice cream we have ever had! Thanks for your directions and tips! This will be done again to celebrate Father’s Day this coming weekend! Tessa, thanks much!
It says to only whisk in half of the milk mixture. What do you do with the other half
Very fudgy, rich ice cream as promised.
When making Death by Chocolate ice-cream, how long do you set the automatic timer for on an ICE100?
I read so many different suggestions. One source said anywhere from 25 to 40 minutes. The definition of done is explained as when the ice-cream forms a solid mass and is no longer mixed by the paddle. Does this mean I need to sit by the ice-cream maker and watch it for 30 minutes? That’s no fun!