Love and Olive Oil

Sea Salt & Vanilla Fudge Chunk Ice Cream

Sea Salt Vanilla Fudge Chunk Ice Cream

Let me get one thing clear: when it comes to ice cream, chocolate chips do not fudge chunk make. I’ll admit to have posted a recipe or two claiming just that, but it’s kind of a cop out. Fudge chunks should be fudgy, softer with a bit of chew to them, not hard chunks of chocolate.

And that’s exactly what I set out to create.

Turns out melted chocolate mixed with a bit of corn syrup and cream is the perfect solution: the modeling chocolate-like material stays slightly chewy even when frozen. Vastly superior to plain old chocolate chunks in terms of texture.

Salted Vanilla Bean Fudge Chunk Ice Cream

The sea salt was a wild idea in an attempt to make the vanilla base more than just plain ol’ vanilla. The results are astounding, it’s a vanilla unlike any you’ve ever tasted. SUPER vanilla, if you will, the salt intensifying the aromatic flavors of the bean in ways you can only imagine it would.

Mary Poppins was wrong: it’s not just a spoonful of sugar, but a hearty pinch of salt that makes everything better, in the most delightful way of course.

Sea Salt Vanilla Fudge Chunk Ice Cream

This is essentially a two-part recipe: the fudge chunks and the sea salt vanilla ice cream base. Either could be used independently or in conjuction with another flavor or mix-in. Maybe you forgo the fudge chunks and drizzle in melted chocolate (Jackson Pollock style) for a Stracciatella-like effect. Or maybe you use the fudge chunks in a banana ice cream base for a spot-on replica of one of my favorite ice cream flavors of all time. Seriously, just do it.

Sea Salt Vanilla Fudge Chunk Ice Cream How to make fudge chunk ice cream

The fudge chunks are made by melting chocolate with corn syrup and a splash of heavy cream; the paste-like concoction then spread into a thin layer and chilled until firm. Then cut up the cold chocolate into good-sized chunks, and freeze them (they will melt if left at room temperature, so you want them to be as cold as possible before stirring into your freshly-churned ice cream).

Vanilla Bean & Fudge Chunk Ice Cream with Sea Salt

It’s a double revelation. Fudge chunks and sea salt just might change your ice cream game forever (and that’s a good thing).

Sea Salt & Vanilla Fudge Chunk Ice Cream

Did you make this recipe?

Ingredients:

For Ice Cream Base:

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Fudge Chunks:

  • 5 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons corn syrup
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Directions:

  1. Pour 1 cup of the heavy cream into a heat-proof bowl and nest inside a larger bowl filled with ice water. Place a fine mesh sieve over the top of both bowls.
  2. In a saucepan, combine remaining cream, milk, sugar, and salt. Cook gently over medium heat, stirring regularly, until sugar is dissolved and mixture just starts to steam. Remove from heat.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks. Slowly whisk in some of the warm cream mixture, 1/3 cup at a time, until about half of the cream mixture has been incorporated and yolk mixture is warm to the touch. You want to do this gradually; doing so will temper the egg yolks rather than cook them.
  4. Pour yolk mixture back into the saucepan and return to medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spatula, about 5 to 7 minutes, or until it reaches approximately 165 to 170ºF. Do not allow it to boil. Pour mixture through sieve into cold cream, discarding any solids. Add vanilla paste or extract and let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Cover with plastic wrap, carefully pressing wrap down onto the surface of the cream mixture. This will prevent a skin from forming on top of the custard. Refrigerate until completely cool, at least 3 hours or overnight if possible.
  5. While ice cream base is chilling, make the fudge chunks. In a small saucepan set over low heat or a double boiler, melt chocolate, corn syrup, and cream until chocolate is melted and mixture forms a smooth paste. You can also do this in the microwave, heating the ingredients on half-power inn 15 second intervals, stirring in between.
  6. Pour chocolate mixture out onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spread into an even 1/4-inch thick layer. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap, pressing onto surface of chocolate, and chill until firm.
  7. When ice cream base is thoroughly chilled, churn ice cream according to manufacturer’s instructions.
  8. While ice cream is churning, remove plastic wrap from chocolate sheet and turn onto a cutting board. Cut into 1/2-inch squares. Return pieces to sheet pan and freeze until ready to use.
  9. When ice cream is the consistency of soft serve, stir in fudge chunks, then transfer to a freezer safe container and freeze at least 2 hours or overnight until firm.
All images and text © / Love & Olive Oil

Did you make this recipe?

Let us know what you think!
Leave a Comment below or share a photo and tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #loveandoliveoil.

There may be affiliate links in this post. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

25 Comments

  1. LOVE this so much! Made it last night and it came out amazing. The sea salt (I used Himalayan) really made it next level. Next time I may add a swirl of raspberry too. Thank you!

  2. Hey Lindsay, I love this ice cream recipe and I have featured it in my Ice Cream special on my blog, I hope thats fine ;) 
    love, rebecca

  3. Finally united my new ice cream maker attachment with its base, and I may have to start with this. It looks so good!

  4. I NEED to make this. Basically, as soon as possible. 

  5. I’ve used a similar approach to making chocolate chips for chocolate chip cookies but never considered using it in ice cream before – total genius!

  6. Ooooo! I agree, chocolate chunk is definitely different than fudge chunk! I love this subtly different take on a classic flavor.

  7. Great recipe!

  8. Salt does make everything better. Beautiful photos!

  9. A bit of topic, but I love you nail color. Do you mind sharing the brand & color?

  10. Love this idea! I actually just made some modeling chocolate for the purpose of decorating a cake, but never would have thought to use it in ice cream. Looks like I’ve got another recipe to try :D

  11. oh man this looks good. I could definitely use a scoop on this hot hot day.  I would be sneaking those fudge chunks before they even make it to the ice cream. 

  12. Oh, this ice cream looks delicious, Lindsay! When I had my wisdom teeth out a few months ago I made the mistake of eating mint chocolate chip ice cream – let’s just say it was not a pleasant experience. Since then I’ve been avoiding chocolate chips in ice cream, period, but these fudge chunks look incredible! The texture looks utterly perfect. <3 

    • I had my tonsils out when I was 8 and was seriously disappointed when I couldn’t swallow the unlimited ice cream my mom promised I could eat. So I feel your pain. Popsicles on the other hand… :)

  13. These photos are fantastic, they just SCREAM summer. And I love the idea of fudge chunks and not chips. Sometimes chips are a little hard to me when frozen and hard on the teeth. Perfection!

  14. Oh my those fudge chunks look SOOO GOOD. I don’t think I would be able to resist myself and probably would have started eating those fudge chunks like popcorn haha. I love the idea of adding sea salt! Yum!

  15. YUMMMM! How did you get such picture perfect scoops of this dreamy ice cream?! It looks so delicious! I must know your secrets!

    • Freeze it. Freeze EVERYTHING. Your plates, your bowls, your cones. Dial down your freezer temperature as low as it’ll go too. Scoop your ice cream balls (I like this scoop: http://amzn.to/1JjlpNw), put them on a frozen plate lined with parchment, and freeze them again. Set up your shot using placeholders (crumpled up balls of paper work well for vanilla ice cream) then only when everything is ready to go do you take the scoops out of the freezer. In this summer heat you’ve got about 5 minutes before it all starts to drip. :)

  16. Those chocolate chunks look like they will end up being my dinner tonight! :)

  17. I totally agree! Chunks need to be melt-in-your-mouth fudgy. Summer justice has been served!

  18. I think I will just have to make some of those fudge chunks to keep in the freezer and then they will be ready to toss into my next batches of homemade ice-cream:) 
    Great idea!

  19. Delicious recipe, Lindsay and your method/inclusion of the fudge chunks is intriguing. I can imagine it makes the chunks super melty and fabulously delicious! They kinda sound like truffle chunks!  WOWOW!!! Looking forward to trying this one! Salt and all! Thank you for this! 

  20. Oooh lovely! It’s just starting to get warm here – the perfect time for homemade ice cream!

Did you make this recipe? Leave a Review »