Best Cranberry Chocolate Ice Cream Recipes

STAR ANISE ICE CREAM AND ORANGE, ALMOND, CRANBERRY AND SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the ice cream: In a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat, combine the cream, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, the star anise and vanilla seeds. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and remove from the heat.
• In a small bowl, combine the eggs, salt and the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and beat until smooth.
• Strain the cream mixture through a fine mesh sieve, and then whisk a third of the cream mixture into the eggs. Immediately whisk the eggs back into the cream mixture. Chill the ice cream base over an ice bath and freeze for 30 minutes.
• Using an ice cream maker, churn the ice cream base according to the manufacturer's instructions. Freeze in an airtight container for 1 hour.
• For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift the flour, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Cream together on medium speed until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in the vanilla and eggs. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the mixer, and mix until the batter is smooth. Turn off the mixer and fold in the 3/4 cup coarsely chopped almonds, cranberries, 12 ounces chocolate chunks and orange zest using the spatula.
• Scoop about 1/4 cup of the cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving some room between each cookie, for about 12 cookies total. Press down the tops slightly, and bake until the cookies are light brown, 12 minutes for chewy cookies or about 15 minutes for crispy cookies.
• Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• In a shallow dish, combine the 3/4 cup finely chopped almonds with the 3/4 cup finely chopped chocolate. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop some ice cream onto a cookie, and top with another cookie to form a sandwich. Roll in the almond-chocolate mixture and freeze for 10 minutes before serving.

RUM CRANBERRY ICE CREAM WITH WALNUTS AND CHOCOLATE CHUNKS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cranberries and dark rum. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 2 hours; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of rum.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar.
• In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring milk and heavy cream to a boil; remove from heat and add sea salt. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle the milk mixture into the yolks until completely combined. Scrape the custard back into the saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (do not let it come to a boil). Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl; stir in the reserved rum and cranberries and chill until very cold, at least 3 hours.
• Transfer the custard to an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. When the ice cream is almost finished, pour the chocolate and walnuts into the machine and allow to incorporate completely. Freeze in an airtight container.

CRANBERRY ICE-CREAM SQUARES WITH CHOCOLATE-COOKIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a food processor grind the cookies fine and pat half the cookie crumbs firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch-square baking pan lined with plastic wrap. In the large bowl of an electric mixer beat the ice cream with the paddle attachment until it is softened, add the cranberry sauce and the Grand Marnier, and beat the mixture until it is just combined. Spread the ice-cream mixture over the crust, sprinkle the top with the remaining cookie crumbs, and pat the cookie mixture, covered, for 6 hours, or until it is firm, invert a platter over the pan, and invert the pan onto the platter. Unmold the dessert onto the platter, discarding the plastic wrap, and cut it into squares with a serrated knife.

CRANBERRY-CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, cook cranberries and orange juice until cranberries pop, about 8 minutes. Place in food processor or blender; add extract and pulse for about 5 minutes or until coarsely chopped. Freeze 10 minutes. , Place ice cream in a large bowl; fold in cranberry mixture and chocolate. Serve immediately or cover and freeze.

CRANBERRY ICE-CREAM SQUARES WITH CHOCOLATE COOKIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a food processor, grind the cookies fine and pat 1/2 the cookie crumbs firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan lined with plastic wrap. In a large bowl of an electricmixer, beat the ice cream with the paddle attachment until it is softened. Add the cranberry sauce and the liqeuer, and beat the mixture until it is just combined. Spread the ice-cream mixture over the cookie crust,sprinkle the top with the remaining cookie crumbs. Place in the freezer, covered for 6 hours, or until it is firm. Remove from the freezer and invert a platter over the pan, then invert the pan onto the platter. Unmold the dessert on top the platter,discarding the plastic wrap. Cut into squares with a serrated knife and serve. If children are included in on this dessert, omit orange liqueur.