Swiss Chocolate Cherry Chip Ice Cream

Isn't it great to have a short work week?! The long holiday weekend felt as if it couldn't come fast enough and I'm looking forward to some rest and relaxation with my boys for the next few days. There isn't much planned and if anything, it's all about going with the flow. I do plan on spending some time in the kitchen, only this weekend it will be much more therapeutic as opposed to 'work'. And if the weather remains warm, I may even churn up some new flavor combinations of ice cream! A recent flavor I made was this Swiss Chocolate Cherry Chip Ice Cream. Yes, it's a mouthful of a description and it sure was a delicious one at that. Creamy chocolate ice cream is studded with fresh ripe cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips throughout to highlight a classic fruit and chocolate combo...

Cherries seem to be all the rage at the grocery store and I couldn't pass up a good sale. With a bag of cherries sitting on my counter, I wanted to use them creatively (although it certainly would have been fine eating them right out of the bag.) Joel was on an ice cream kick and it was a great opportunity to take out the ice cream maker and show him how homemade ice cream was made. He loved helping whisk the ice cream mixture and watching it churn in the ice cream maker. I often forget how much kids enjoy the littlest things! Just before the mixture was ready to transfer to our ice cream freezing container, we added the cherries and chocolate chips so they could be swirled in throughout. Finally, when we enjoyed our ice cream creation the next day, he was already asking to make more flavors! The original recipe was from Ben & Jerry's ice cream cookbook and included only almonds. I opted to omit the almonds and use fresh cherries and chocolate chips instead. The swiss chocolate base recipe is great to build on so you can really go wild by substituting whatever you'd like for the cherries and chocolate chips. If anything, just make sure you have only a combined amount of 1 cup of add ins so that there is a nice balance of ice cream to goodies. Another tip: if you have an ice cream maker, it helps to have at least 2 freezer bowls to keep the ice cream making momentum going!

Have a wonderful, safe and delicious July 4th Holiday Weekend!

Swiss Chocolate Cherry Chip Ice Cream

recipe adapted from Ben & Jerry's

2 large eggs

3/4 cup granulated sugar

4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tablespoons instant espresso powder

2 cups heavy cream, or whipping cream

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup pitted fresh cherries, halved

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until light and fluffy. 

Whisk in the sugar, a tablespoon at a time, then continue whisking until completely blended, about 1 minute more. 

Add the espresso powder and cocoa powder, continuing to whisk until blended.

Add the heavy cream and milk, continuing to whisk until blended.

Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and freeze following the manufacturer's directions. 

After the ice cream stiffens (about 2 minutes before it is done), add the cherries and chocolate chips to incorporate. 

Transfer ice cream mixer into a freezer safe container and cover, freezing for at least 3 hours or better yet, overnight.

Makes 1 quart.