Best Ice Cream Crunch Recipes

STRAWBERRY CRUNCH ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Line a 9x9-in. baking pan with parchment. Preheat oven to 350°. Finely crush 24 cookies. In a small bowl, mix cookie crumbs and butter. Press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake until firm, 25-30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., Spread vanilla ice cream onto crust; freeze, covered, until firm. Spread with strawberry ice cream and then whipped topping; freeze, covered, until firm. , Coarsely crush remaining cookies. Combine cookie crumbs and freeze-dried strawberries; sprinkle over whipped topping. Freeze, covered, until firm, 8 hours or overnight. Remove cake from freezer. Lifting with parchment, remove from pan. Gently peel off parchment. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. If desired, garnish with fresh strawberries.

ICE CREAM CRUNCH CAKE

Steps:

• Put a 9-inch springform pan in the freezer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, let 1 container vanilla ice cream soften at room temperature.
• Remove the pan from the freezer. Spread a 1/2-inch-thick layer of softened vanilla ice cream on the bottom and up the sides of the pan. (If the ice cream gets too soft, return to the freezer.) Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pulse the chocolate wafers in a food processor to break into large crumbs. Add the chocolate shell topping and pulse until the crumbs are moist, about 5 pulses; set aside.
• Let the chocolate ice cream soften at room temperature, about 15 minutes. Spread over the vanilla layer, firmly packing the ice cream into the pan. Spread the chocolate crumb mixture over the chocolate ice cream. Freeze until set, about 1 hour.
• Remove the remaining container vanilla ice cream from the freezer 15 minutes before assembling the final layer. Spread the ice cream over the crumb layer, packing it tightly, then smooth the top with an offset spatula. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
• To unmold, wipe the outside of the pan with a hot cloth, then run a hot knife around the inside; unlatch and remove the side. If the ice cream cake is too soft, refreeze 20 minutes.
• Spread 3 cups whipped cream over the top and sides of the cake. Freeze until set, about 20 minutes. Put the remaining 2 cups whipped cream in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip; pipe along the top and bottom edges of the cake and decorate with sprinkles. Return to the freezer; remove 15 minutes before serving and slice with a hot knife.

CHOCOLATE MALT ICE CREAM WITH MALT BALL CRUNCH

Steps:

• Put a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan in the freezer to get cold.
• Whisk the milk, egg yolks, sugar, malted milk powder and cocoa powder together in a medium bowl.
• Put the chocolate chips in a large bowl.
• Put the cream in a medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until it just starts to simmer. Slowly pour about half of the cream into the bowl with the milk/egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour all of the liquid from the bowl back into the saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, until the custard reaches 160 degrees F, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into the bowl with the chocolate chips. Let stand 5 minutes, then stir until the chocolate is melted and thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until very cold, at least 4 hours.
• Churn the custard in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. When the ice cream is ready, add the crushed malt balls and continue to churn until well distributed.
• Spoon about a third of the ice cream into the cold loaf pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Drizzle in half of the chocolate syrup. Add another third of the ice cream, then smooth and drizzle with the remaining syrup. Smooth the remaining ice cream on top, then cover with plastic and freeze until firm, 2 to 3 hours.

STRAWBERRY CRUNCH ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare the cake mix as the label directs for a 9-by-13-inch cake. Bake and let cool 15 minutes in the pan on a rack, then transfer the cake to the rack to cool completely.
• Trim the domed top of the cake with a long serrated knife to make it level. Cut the cake in half horizontally to make 2 layers. Trim a 3/4-inch strip from each long side; reserve the strips and trimmings.
• Cut the carton off the ice cream and set the ice cream block on a cutting board. Slice lengthwise into thirds.
• Arrange the ice cream on the bottom layer of the cake. Let soften, then smooth with an offset spatula to cover the cake, leaving a 3/4-inch border on the long sides.
• Press 1 reserved strip of cake against each long side of the ice cream layer. Reserve the remaining 2 strips of cake. Place the second cake layer on top of the ice cream. Freeze 1 hour.
• Cut off a corner of the frozen cake to look like a bite. Remove the ice cream from the trimmed bite and reserve the cake trimmings. Return the cake to the freezer.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Crumble the reserved cake strips and trimmings on a baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden, 10 minutes. Let cool, then crumble together with the freeze-dried strawberries.
• Finely crush 1 tablespoon of the strawberry-crumb mixture; combine with 1 tablespoon frosting to make it pink. Cover the whole cake with the remaining white frosting. Press the strawberry-crumb mixture into the frosting, without covering the bite or the opposite short side.
• Spread the pink frosting inside the bite. Add a line of crumb mixture at the bottom of the bite. Freeze until firm, at least 15 minutes. Insert a wooden spatula handle or large craft stick into the cake before serving.

COFFEE-PRALINE CRUNCH ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare the fudge sauce: Set a fine-mesh sieve over a medium bowl. In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, sugar, butter and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the butter is melted and the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes.
• Whisk in the cocoa powder and cook for another minute or two, whisking occasionally, until the mixture is thick and glossy. Run the sauce through the sieve into the bowl, working out any lumps directly in the sieve. Stir in vanilla. Let cool completely, about 1 hour. (You should have about 2 cups.) About 30 minutes before you assemble the cake, remove the ice cream from the refrigerator to soften.
• To assemble the cake, spray a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray. (This is just to help keep the plastic in place.) Press plastic wrap into the pan, making it as smooth as possible against the bottom and sides of the pan, leaving a 3-inch overhang on each of the two long sides.
• Spread one third of the softened ice cream (about 2 cups) evenly over the bottom of the pan. (If your ice cream is still too firm to spread, cut it into slices, arrange them in a layer and smooth using an offset spatula.) Lay 3 crackers over the top, breaking them to fit as needed. Top with 1/3 of the fudge sauce (about ⅔ cup), using an offset spatula to spread evenly, and half of the praline, patting into an even layer. Top with another 1/3 of the ice cream, 3 more crackers, 1/3 more fudge sauce and the remaining praline. Finish with the remaining 1/3 of ice cream and 4 more crackers. Use the plastic overhang to wrap the cake up tightly and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours and preferably overnight.
• To serve, unwrap the plastic wrap, then quickly rub the outside of the pan with a warm, moistened kitchen towel to loosen. Flip out onto a serving plate and remove the plastic wrap. Top with whipped cream and more chopped praline. Cut slices with a knife dipped in hot water. (If too hard to slice, let sit for a few minutes to soften.) Serve with the remaining fudge sauce, warmed, if desired.

PEANUT BUTTER CRUNCH (ICE CREAM TOPPING)

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar until it softens. Slowly add milk and stir until sugar dissolves.
• Bring to a boil and cook until mixture reduces and thickens.
• Add peanut butter and mix thoroughly.
• Add peanuts and vanilla.
• Continue stirring until smooth.
• Serve warm over ice cream.

MOCHA CRUNCH ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• For sauce: Cook water, sugar and espresso in heavy medium saucepan over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add chocolate and butter. Stir until chocolate and butter are melted and sauce is smooth. Cool completely. (Sauce can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring sauce to room temperature before using.)
• For crust: Oil 9-inch springform pan. Mix 2 cups crumbs and butter in medium bowl. Press firmly into bottom of prepared pan. Freeze until firm.
• For filling: Soften chocolate ice cream in refrigerator until spreadable but not melted. Spread in pan and smooth top. Freeze until firm.
• Spoon 1/2 cup sauce over ice cream and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cookie crumbs. Freeze until firm.
• Soften coffee ice cream in refrigerator until spreadable but not melted. Spread in pan. Smooth surface and freeze until firm. Spread 1/2 cup sauce over coffee ice cream. Sprinkle with Almond Roca and freeze until firm. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover tightly.)
• Soften cake slightly in refrigerator if necessary. Rewarm remaining sauce over low heat until lukewarm, stirring frequently. Remove pan sides. Cut cake into wedges. Serve, passing warm mocha sauce separately.

ICE CREAM CRUNCH

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook butter and brown sugar until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. , In a large bowl, combine cereal, coconut and nuts; add sugar mixture and stir until coated. Press half into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. dish. Spread ice cream over crust. Top with remaining cereal mixture. Freeze until firm.

ALMOND-CRUNCH ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Cake:Preheat oven to 300 degrees with rack in center. Spread whole almonds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack; let cool completely.
• Pulse whole almonds and cake flour in a food processor until finely ground, about 30 seconds.
• Butter two 7-inch round cake pans. Line pans with parchment; butter parchment.
• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together egg whites and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form. Increase speed to high and gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, beating until stiff and glossy, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Clean mixer bowl and return to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat together egg yolks and vanilla. With mixer on high speed, gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, beating until pale and thick, about 5 minutes.
• Fold egg-white mixture into egg-yolk mixture. In three additions, fold in almond mixture. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing tops with an offset spatula.
• Bake until a tester inserted in centers comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack; let cool completely. Turn out cakes and wrap in plastic until ready to use.
• Almond Crunch:Increase oven temperature to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss together sliced almonds, granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons water. Spread almond mixture evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack; let cool completely.
• Assembly:Bring granulated sugar and 1/3 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When sugar has dissolved, remove from heat; add amaretto, if using, and almond extract. Let cool completely.
• Using a serrated knife, split each cake horizontally into two equal layers.
• Cut three 24-by-6-inch strips of parchment. Place strips on top of one another and use to line the sides of a 7-inch springform pan. Generously brush tops of cake layers with syrup. Place a cake layer in prepared pan.
• In the chilled bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat ice cream on medium-low speed until spreadable, about 2 minutes. Spread about 2 cups ice cream over first cake layer. Crumble 1/2 cup almond crunch over ice cream. Top with a second cake layer; transfer to freezer until firm, about 20 minutes. Repeat, spreading 2 cups ice cream and 1/2 cup almond crunch between each layer. Finish with a cake layer. Freeze 1 hour.
• Just before serving, whisk cream and confectioners' sugar to medium peaks in a chilled bowl. Remove cake from freezer and release sides of pan. Transfer cake to a serving platter. Tuck parchment strips under perimeter of cake. Frost top and sides of cake with whipped cream; remove parchment strips. Garnish top with remaining almond crunch; serve immediately.

TOFFEE CRUNCH ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the egg, sugar and salt. Gradually add milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture reaches 160° and coats the back of a metal spoon. Remove from the heat. Whisk in chocolate, then add cream, coffee and vanilla. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours., Fold in candy and nuts. Fill cylinder of ice cream freezer; freeze according to manufacturer's directions. Allow to ripen in ice cream freezer or firm up in the freezer for 2-4 hours before serving.

PEANUT BRITTLE AND CARAMEL CRUNCH ICE CREAM PIE

Steps:

• For caramel sauce:
• Place cream in small saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring just to simmer. Mix in butter and sea salt; set vanilla cream aside.
• Stir sugar, 1/3 cup water, and corn syrup in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, brushing down sides with wet pastry brush and swirling pan occasionally, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in vanilla cream (mixture will bubble). Set sauce aside.
• For pie:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 9-inch-diameter pie dish with foil. Finely grind graham crackers and brown sugar in processor. Add butter and vanilla; blend until moist crumbs form. Add nuts; blend just until finely chopped. Using plastic wrap as aid, press crumbs firmly onto bottom and up sides of foil-lined pie dish. Freeze 15 minutes.
• Bake crust until brown, about 15 minutes. Freeze 1 hour. Using foil, lift crust from dish; carefully peel off foil. Return crust to pie dish. Drizzle 1/2 cup caramel sauce over bottom of crust. Freeze 30 minutes. Spoon 1 1/2 pints ice cream into crust; smooth top. Drizzle 3 tablespoons peanut butter over, then 2 tablespoons sauce. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup brittle. Freeze 1 hour. Spoon remaining 1 1/2 pints ice cream over; smooth top. Drizzle 2 tablespoons peanut butter over, then 2 tablespoons sauce. Sprinkle edge of pie with 1/2 cup brittle. Freeze 4 hours. DO AHEAD: Pie can be made 3 days ahead; tent with foil and freeze. Cover and chill remaining sauce.
• Cut pie into wedges. Rewarm sauce and pass separately.

CHOCOLATE CRUNCH ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat milk to 175°; stir in 1/2 cup sugar until dissolved. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks and remaining sugar. Stir in coffee granules and bittersweet chocolate. , In small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Cook over low heat until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and a thermometer reads at least 160°, stirring constantly. Do not allow to boil. Remove from heat immediately. , Quickly transfer to a large bowl; place bowl in a pan of ice water. Stir gently and occasionally for 2 minutes. Stir in cream and vanilla. Press plastic wrap onto surface of custard. Refrigerate several hours or overnight., Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; spread melted semisweet chocolate to 1/8-in. thickness. Refrigerate for 20 minutes; chop coarsely., Fill cylinder of ice cream freezer two-thirds full with custard; freeze according to manufacturer's directions. (Refrigerate any remaining mixture until ready to freeze.), Transfer ice cream to freezer containers, allowing headspace for expansion. For each batch, stir in some of the chopped chocolate, almonds and toffee bits. Freeze 2-4 hours or until firm.

CHOCOLATE TOFFEE CRUNCH ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine cake mix, eggs, butter, and water.
• Pour into a well greased 13x9 pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Allow cake to cool completely.
• When cake is fully cooled, using a serrated knife, cut cake in half lengthwise.
• Place the bottom half of the cake back in the pan. Top with the softened ice cream, and spread it evenly over the cake. Sprinkle the toffee chips in an even layer over the ice cream. Place the top layer of the cake on the toffee chips/ice cream. Spread the softened Cool Whip over the top of the cake.
• Freeze 2 or more hours before serving.

MAPLE-BACON CRUNCH ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Make the ice cream: Whisk the egg yolks, sugar and salt in a bowl until pale yellow. Transfer to a saucepan and whisk in the milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until almost simmering (the mixture should be thick enough to coat a spoon). Stir in the maple syrup. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
• Make the bacon brittle: Butter a rimmed baking sheet. Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes per side; transfer to paper towels to drain. Let the bacon cool, then very finely chop.
• Cook the sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until it melts and turns golden, about 4 minutes. (If lumps form, remove from the heat and continue stirring until melted.) Continue to cook, stirring, until light amber, about 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the butter. Carefully stir in the baking soda, then the bacon and chile powder. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet and let cool until set, about 15 minutes. Break into bite-size pieces, then smash about one-third of the brittle into shards with a meat mallet or heavy skillet. Reserve the remaining brittle in a container for up to 3 days.
• Stir the cream into the chilled custard. Churn in an ice cream maker. Stir in the bacon brittle shards. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.

CHERRY RIPPLE & ALMOND CRUNCH ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Remove the stalks and stones from 300g cherries (some garlic crushers have a cherry pitter on the handle, but if not, simply use a knife), then roughly chop. Put into a medium pan, add 85g caster sugar, then cook very gently for 10 mins until the sugar melts. Turn up the heat a little, then simmer for 15 mins until softened and surrounded by a syrupy sauce. Cool completely.
• Meanwhile, put the cream, icing sugar and Disaronno into a large bowl. Whip the cream until it just holds its shape. Fold in the custard, then churn in an ice-cream machine until very thick.
• For the almond crunch, lightly oil a baking sheet. Put 2 tbsp caster sugar into a non-stick pan, then gently heat until the sugar melts. Swirl or stir the sugar a few times if it melts unevenly, then bubble for 30 secs or until the sugar turns to amber caramel. Stir in the nuts, then pour onto the sheet. Cool completely until brittle. Snap into chunks, then put into a food bag and crush with a rolling pin.
• Spoon the soft ice cream into a freezer-proof container, then spoon over ribbons of the syrupy cherries and scatter with the crunchy nut caramel. Ripple through a few times with a knife. Freeze for at least 6 hrs, or ideally overnight. Serve with the whole cherries and almond biscotti.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT CRUNCH ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, melt chocolate chips over low heat. Stir in crushed cookies until coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Coarsely chop., Spread vanilla ice cream into a 9-in. springform pan; sprinkle with 2 cups cookie mixture. Freeze for 30 minutes. Spread with chocolate ice cream. Cover and freeze for 4 hours or until firm., In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Remove sides of pan., Spread whipped cream over top and sides of dessert; press remaining cookie mixture into sides. Freeze for 1 hour or until whipped cream is set. Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before serving.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED TOFFEE CRUNCH ICE CREAM CONES

Steps:

• Soften ice cream slightly in refrigerator if hard. Using small spoon, gently pack some ice cream into hollow part of each cone. Top each with rounded scoop (about 1/3 cup) of ice cream. Place each cone, ice cream side up, in small glass. Freeze overnight.
• Place chopped Heath Bars on plate. Place chocolate and shortening in medium metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water and stir until melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water. Let chocolate stand until cool but still liquid, about 5 minutes. Dip ice cream end of 1 cone into chocolate, rotating to coat completely and tilting bowl if necessary. Hold cone until chocolate is almost set, about 10 seconds. Immediately roll dipped portion into Heath Bars, pressing gently to adhere. Return cone to glass and place in freezer. Repeat with remaining cones, chocolate and Heath Bars. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Wrap each cone in plastic.) Serve frozen.

DARK CHOCOLATE CRUNCH ICE CREAM SANDWICH CAKE

Steps:

• ARRANGE 8 to 9 ice cream sandwiches in 9-inch square pan, cutting to form an even layer. Spread with half of whipped topping. Break or crush chocolate wafers and sprinkle over the whipped cream. Microwave 1 cup of chocolate topping into small microwave-safe bowl on HIGH for 30 seconds. Drizzle evenly over wafers.
• TOP with remaining 8 to 9 ice cream sandwiches to form an even layer. Spread with remaining whipped topping. Freeze 3 hours or overnight. Remove from freezer 10 minutes before serving. Cut into squares.
• HEAT remaining topping. Drizzle each serving with topping. Sprinkle with decorator sprinkles.
• Nutritional information (amount per servings): Total Calories: 640. Sodium 440mg. Fat: 32g. Carbohydrates: 82g. Cholesterol: 40mg. Protein: 11g. Fiber: 1g.

MAPLE CRUNCH ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Stir the vanilla into the condensed milk in a large bowl. Lightly whip the cream until it just holds its shape, then fold into the condensed milk using a metal spoon. Spoon into a 1-litre freezer-proof container and freeze for about 3 hrs, until softly frozen. This mix won't crystallise at the edges like most ice creams.
• Working quickly, ruffle up the mix, pour over the syrup and the crushed caramels, then give another quick swirl. Freeze for another 4 hrs or ideally overnight until firm. Will freeze for up to 1 month.

CINNAMON CRUNCH ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, whisk egg yolks and sugar until blended; stir in cream and milk. Cook over medium-low heat until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and a thermometer reads at least 175°, stirring constantly. Do not allow to boil. Remove from heat immediately., Quickly transfer to a large bowl; stir in vanilla. Place bowl in a pan of ice water. Stir gently and occasionally for 2 minutes. Press plastic wrap onto surface of custard. Refrigerate several hours or overnight., Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, whisk egg white. Add walnuts; toss to coat. In a small bowl, mix sugar and spices. Sprinkle over walnuts; toss to coat. Spread into a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 30-35 minutes or until crisp, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool completely., Fill cylinder of ice cream maker no more than two-thirds full; freeze according to manufacturer's directions., Transfer ice cream to freezer containers, allowing headspace for expansion. Fold in nut mixture. Freeze 4-6 hours or until firm.