Chocolate chunk coconut ice cream

Chocolate chunk coconut ice cream

I surprised Thom with an ice cream maker months ago. It was one of those gifts that, surprisingly, wasn't something I bought for him just because I wanted it. I had no desire to do anything with an ice cream maker. At all. Until I found it in the back of one of our closets - unused after five months of ownership - and decided that if Thom wasn't going to use it, I was. So one night last week, I set out on a quest to make ice cream. But by the time the mixture was ready to use, it was late and I was groggy from 90 minutes of yoga in a 105˚F room. What was I thinking? I'll tell you. I was thinking my quads have been sore for three weeks, now. And my calves hurt so bad that I have to crawl, literally, out of bed each morning. From my bed, to the living room. ON ALL FOURS. So I was thinking I wanted to do 90 minutes of uninterrupted stretching in a really, really, really warm room, to help ease the tension in my legs.

So, anyway. It was late, I was tired and watching Ryan Gosling play super dreamy getaway guy with perfect hair and a distracting, shiny gold jacket put me in a trance. I had prepared the ice cream base hours before and it was ready to be put into the ice cream maker. So in it went, on turned the machine and.. ice cream started pouring from the bottom. I said the F word a few times and screamed, NO! NO! NO! NO! NOOOO! Because I forgot to put the ice cream bowl into the ice cream maker. The worst part is, I had assembled the churn without even realizing it didn't fit properly. But, to my defense, I was all out of sorts from the 90 minutes of torture I endured earlier in the day. I'm dehydrated and groggy, I told myself. And pause the freaking movie, Thom. HOW DARE YOU CHEAT ME OUT OF SEXY RYAN GOSLING TIME. Now help me clean up this mess, please.

Chocolate coconut ice cream



The first four ingredients are for the ice cream base - if you want to add chocolate chunks and coconut, be my guest. But if you'd prefer other add ins, you can do that, too. If you're going to make fruit flavored ice cream, I recommend replacing one of the cans of coconut milk (13.5 ounces) with 16 ounces of coconut yogurt, as it lends the perfect amount of tanginess to the ice cream. If you don't have xanthan gum, no need to fret - simply omit it. I only added it because it helps to reduce the formation of ice crystals, therefore creating a smooth/creamy texture.

CHOCOLATE CHUNK COCONUT ICE CREAM

3 1/3 cups full fat coconut milk (2 cans)
1/2 cup cane sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp xanthan gum, optional
3 oz dark chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup shredded coconut

In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk and sugar. Bring to a boil and continue whisking for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.  Sift in the xanthan gum, whisking to combine. Transfer to a glass bowl and refrigerate until cooled. Once cooled, pour mixture into the bowl of your ice cream machine and mix according to the manufacturer's instructions. Add toppings once the ice cream starts to thicken. It takes 30 minutes for my machine to make ice cream, and I added the toppings after 10. Eat ice cream immideately (it will be somewhat soft) or transfer to a container and freeze until ready to consume. Thaw for about 10 minutes before serving.

Yield: 6 servings

31 comments:

  1. Oh man! That's totally something I would do, the whole ice cream maker catastrophe! On the plus side, your re-telling of it was highly enjoyable. :) And I'm definitely bookmarking this recipe - my mom just got an ice cream maker, and I've been meaning to go over there and play with it!

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  2. Shall I send you my mailing address so that you can send me a money order to cover the new wardrobe I'm going to have to buy one size up because of you? You are to blame. Yes. You!

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  3. This sounds so yummy and refreshing! I just inherited an ice cream maker. It's sitting in my car but now I have a reason to actually bring it in the house. I totally understand the need for something cool and refreshing after hot yoga. I get into Bikram Yoga for about 3 months at a time and after that third month I often have the "what the hell was I thinking?!" thought. Bookmarked for sure!

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  4. This looks beautiful and really simple to make! I also happen to have all these ingredients... Hmmm, that can only mean one thing ;)

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  5. AnonymousJune 12, 2012

    Haha! I know that hot yoga feeling, that "I look like a drowned rat and need to go sit in a bath of coconut water" kind of thing? - that said, ice cream is a great post-yoga treat, and this one looks amazing! Now only to get an ice cream maker...

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  6. AnonymousJune 12, 2012

    oh Ryan Gosling...he's almost as beautiful as that ice cream of yours! hahaha....it looks so delicious! perfect for summer! thanks for sharing!

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  7. i assume we're talking about drive here? dayv and i saw that in the theater and i was on the edge of my seat the whole time..every ryan gosling movie is worth seeing in my opinion. even blue valentine, where the entire movie i wanted to slap michelle williams across the face and scream, "HE LOVES YOU, B*TCH!" anyway...(i also loved him as a drug addict teacher in half nelson.)

    this is my favorite way to make ice cream, too! coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla extract! so simple but soooo good. i love that you added coconut to make it even more coconutty!

    when i made dayv's ice cream birthday cake, i added mini chocolate chips immediately when it started churning and it was an AWFUL experience. the all immediately froze to the bowl and i had to stop the process to strain the icecream to get the chocolate out. i assumed it was just never a good idea to add chocolate until after it was finished churning and then mix them in. it's good to know i just need to be patient and wait 10 minutes ;)

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  8. haha your posts always make me laugh, your recipes are always so delicious looking and you have beautiful photos! what an amazing blog you have

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  9. AnonymousJune 12, 2012

    I just made a really delicious and really similar ice cream last night with coconut milk. Amazing!

    I also just watched Drive too. Equally amazing. Mostly just because of Ryan Gosling... :)

    The first time I used my ice cream maker I couldn't figure out why the ice cream wasn't freezing. THEN I read the instructions and figured out that the bowl has to be frozen first... DUH. And I don't have hot yoga as an excuse.

    Gorgeous photos girl!

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  10. Oh no! I couldn't blame you for the mess though hehe. The ice cream looks divine and simple to make. I too have just started dabbling into making my own ice cream. And it is definitely worth the time and effort.

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  11. This sounds like the best ice cream I've ever heard of in my entire life. And I'm a HUGE ice cream fan, so I know my flavors! :)

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  12. Stupid ice cream maker, trying to cheat you out of Ryan Gosling time! Who does he (let's assume your ice cream maker is a "he") think he is? From the looks of the gorgeous pictures, though, it seems like you showed him what's what. Great recipe and great post!

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  13. Awesome! Another delicious recipe that I can use in my new ice cream maker! I've definitely done stuff like that in the kitchen, the other day I almost put some linens in the refrigerator. What? ha ha

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  14. Looks absolutely delicious! I would so love to try some. It looks really refreshing.

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  15. Aaah! Sounds like just the sort of kitchen disaster to befall me! I suspect I would have actually cried.
    This ice cream looks absolutely AMAZING! Do you think it would work just as well with coconut cream (instead of milk)? Or would that make it too thick? Penny for your thoughts on the matter.
    Thanks for posting just great food porn. :)

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    1. I'm pretty sure ice cream can never be "too thick" - so go on with your bad self and use that coconut cream. And if you do end up trying it, please let me know how it turns out!

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    2. Thanks for responding so promptly Ashlae. I WILL making this, with the coconut cream. I promise to let you know how it goes. If it looks halfway as good as yours I'll post a photo on your fb page. :)

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  16. That definitely sounds like something that would happen to me. First, however, I need to get myself an ice cream maker. The mess looks like it was worth the pay off! Yum!

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  17. I refuse to buy an ice cream maker. I don't care how fantastic your output looks.

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  18. this loooks sooo soo gooood!

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  19. Whoopsies!! :) Here it goes again! I love your blog! It's positively adorable!!!! You've got beautiful photographs, too. Everything looks incredibly delicious!!!! My mom cannot wait to make your coconut scones. MMMMM! Can't wait to see more posts from you! Here's to happy cooking/baking!

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  20. This sounds like a great recipe! I have to admit, even though I'm a huge ice cream fan I've only made coconut ice cream once before. Sounds good!

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  21. AnonymousJune 14, 2012

    Hi Em! Thanks for stopping by my blog and so glad to find YOU. I can tell I will be back often. And you've got me motivated to pull out my neglected ice cream maker from the basement too. You do really feel like a rock star when you make your own ice cream.

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  22. Pat RaugustJune 14, 2012

    I can't have any dairy so I am very excited to try your recipe! Thanks so much!!

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  23. I have been flirting with the idea of buying an ice cream maker this summer. this ice cream sold me! it looks devine!

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  24. I forget about my ice cream maker, poor thing. But this year I promised it I wouldn't. Next on my list is this dairy free concoction of sweet goodness!

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  25. This wins. Definitely. Looking forward to tonight! :)

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  26. Where can I get that silver pan/dish/container that you have the ice cream in?

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    Replies
    1. I can't remember where I got it, but it's a Chicago Metallic loaf pan.

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  27. Wait so what happened with the ice cream maker? Does it still work? I ask because I just did the sane thing and I'm worried I broke it forever. -Emily

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it still works :) Apparently that little hole is there to allow water to drain (from the frozen bowl) - it never made it's way to the machines working parts. Thank goodness!

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