Best Molasses Ice Cream Recipes

BUTTERMILK-MOLASSES ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Whisk eggs and molasses together in a medium bowl until combined. Set aside.
• Combine cream, buttermilk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved and mixture begins to bubble around the edges, about 5 minutes.
• Add 1/2 of the hot cream mixture very slowly into the egg-molasses mixture, whisking constantly. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the pan with the remaining hot cream mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until mixture is slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon, about 8 minutes.
• Strain custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap touching the top of the custard to avoid forming a skin. Cool completely in refrigerator, 4 hours to overnight.
• Pour custard into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions, about 20 minutes. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until firm, about 4 hours.

BUTTERSCOTCH ICE CREAM SANDWICHES WITH MOLASSES COOKIES AND CARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• For the butterscotch ice cream base: Combine the butter and 5 tablespoons brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently with a heatproof rubber spatula, until the mixture is thick and bubbly and darkens slightly in color. Carefully and slowly, pour in the milk and cream. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the caramel is dissolved and the mixture is scalding hot. Turn off the heat.
• Whisk together the egg yolks, salt and remaining 5 tablespoons brown sugar in a bowl until well combined. Slowly ladle in about one-third of the hot milk mixture, whisking constantly. Pour the tempered yolk mixture back into the saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium-low and heat slowly, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until the custard reaches 175 degrees F and has thickened slightly. Do not allow to boil or the mixture will curdle. Set the pan into a larger container half-filled with ice and water and stir occasionally until completely chilled. Stir in the vanilla extract. If the custard is not totally smooth, strain through a fine-mesh strainer or blend until smooth with a handheld immersion blender.
• Process in an ice cream machine according to the manufacturer's directions. Store in the freezer until firm, at least 4 hours.
• For the sorghum molasses cookies: Add the butter and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl, if using a handheld mixer). Using the paddle attachment (for the stand mixer), beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula, and beat again for 20 seconds to ensure a homogeneous mixture. Add the egg and beat until incorporated. Add the molasses and beat again until incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula, and beat again for 20 seconds.
• Combine the flour blend, baking soda, cinnamon, chia seed, ginger, salt and nutmeg in a medium bowl with a whisk. Add the dry mixture to the stand mixer bowl and stir on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened. Increase the speed to medium and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula, and beat again for 20 seconds. (For easier shaping, chill the dough for several hours until firm.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (if using a convection oven, preheat to 325 degrees F.) Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Using a small ice cream scoop, shape 1-ounce balls of dough (2 tablespoons in size) and roll them lightly in turbinado sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheets 4 inches apart and flatten slightly with your hands to a 1/2-inch thickness.
• Bake, rotating the pans once from front to back and from the bottom rack to the top rack during baking, until rich golden brown all over and puffed in the center, about 18 minutes. They will spread quite a bit and feel just set. Allow to cool completely, then freeze until ready to assemble the sandwiches.
• To assemble the sandwiches: Remove the ice cream from the freezer. If it is too firm to scoop easily, allow to soften for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the cookies from the freezer. Place 6 cookies face-down on a baking sheet. Top each cookie with a generous scoop of butterscotch ice cream, then top each with another cookie, face-up. Press down gently with the palm of your hand until the ice cream spreads to the edges of cookies. Place the sandwiches in the freezer until ready to serve.
• For the pineapple: Toss the pineapple with the brown sugar, rum, vanilla and salt in a medium bowl. Let marinate, stirring once or twice, until the sugar has dissolved and the pineapple releases its juices, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain the pineapple, reserving the marinade.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. When the pan is quite hot, add the butter and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the pineapple to the pan, spreading the pieces out in a single layer and taking care not to crowd the pan. When the pan has recovered its heat, pour in the marinade and allow to reduce until thickened and bubbly. Turn over the pineapple pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is all but evaporated and the pineapple is nicely browned all over. Remove the pineapple from the skillet.
• To serve: Cut each ice cream sandwich in half and plate with the warm, caramelized pineapple. Add a drizzle of caramel sauce and garnish with a bright edible flower and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Enjoy!

GINGER MOLASSES COOKIE SANDWICH WITH ROASTED BANANA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• To make the ice cream, scald half-and-half with vanilla beans. Combine eggs and sugar. Temper with half-and-half mixture. Continue to cook at low heat until the mixture coats the back of spoon. Process the ice cream in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Fold in the roasted bananas and keep chilled.
• To make the ginger molasses cookies, combine the dry ingredients. Cream together butter and sugar. Add dry ingredients, then wet. Finish by adding spices. Be careful not to over mix.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Form in 1-inch balls and placed on greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
• To make the chocolate sauce, prepare an ice bath, strainer, and container. Combine yolks in a bowl. Bring the milk, cream, sugar, chocolate, and vanilla bean to a boil. Temper the egg yolks and return to low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Strain into a container placed in an ice bath.
• To serve, spoon desired amount of ice cream on top of a cookie and sandwich. Drizzle with chocolate sauce and serve immediately.

MOLASSES ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Blend cream cheese, brown sugar, and molasses in a food processor or blender until smooth. With motor running, add half-and-half, blending until combined.
• Freeze in an ice cream maker, then transfer ice cream to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden.

VANILLA ICE CREAM AND GINGER MOLASSES COOKIE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For Cookies:
• Sift first 6 ingredients into medium bowl. Combine butter, shortening and brown sugar in large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter mixture until fluffy. Add egg, molasses and peel; beat until blended. Add dry ingredients; mix just until incorporated. Cover; chill 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 2 baking sheets. Place sugar in small bowl. Using wet hands, form dough into 12 equal pieces; shape pieces into balls. Roll in sugar to coat. Transfer to prepared sheets, spacing 2 1/2 inches apart. Bake until cookies are pale golden and cracked on top but still soft, about 15 minutes. Cool on sheets 1 minute. Transfer to racks; cool completely.
• For Sandwiches:
• Place ice cream in medium bowl. Stir in ginger. Freeze until almost firm, about 30 minutes.
• Place 6 cookies on work surface, flat side up. Top each with 1/3 cup ice cream. Spread to 1/4 inch from edge of cookies. Top each with second cookie. Press to adhere. Place in freezer. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly; keep frozen.)
• Arrange sandwiches on plates. Garnish with berries and serve.

COFFEE-MOLASSES ICE CREAM WITH MOLASSES-GLAZED PECANS

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups cream and milk to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Whisk egg yolks, molasses and sugar to blend in large bowl. Gradually whisk in hot cream mixture. Return mixture to saucepan and stir over medium-low heat until mixture thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 12 minutes; do not boil or mixture will curdle. Remove from heat. Mix in instant coffee and remaining 1 cup cream. Refrigerate coffee custard until well chilled. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead.)
• Process coffee custard in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Freeze custard mixture until firm. (Coffee-molasses ice cream can be prepared 1 week ahead.)
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter large cookie sheet. Line another large cookie sheet with waxed paper. Combine molasses, sugar and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add pecans and stir to coat well. Spread pecans on buttered cookie sheet. Bake until pecans are just beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Immediately transfer pecans to waxed paper-lined cookie sheet and separate with 2 forks. Cool completely. (Molasses-glazed pecans can be prepared 1 week ahead. Store at room temperature in airtight container.)
• Scoop coffee-molasses ice cream into dishes. Top with molasses-glazed pecans and serve immediately.

BUTTERSCOTCH ICE CREAM SANDWICHES WITH MOLASSES COOKIES AND CARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• Special equipment: an ice cream machine and an instant-read thermometer
• For the butterscotch ice cream base: Combine the butter and 5 tablespoons brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently with a heat-proof rubber spatula, until the mixture is thick and bubbly and darkens slightly in color. Carefully and slowly, pour in the milk and cream. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the caramel is dissolved and the mixture is scalding hot. Turn off the heat.
• Whisk together the egg yolks, salt and remaining 5 tablespoons brown sugar in a bowl until well combined. Slowly ladle in about one-third of the hot milk mixture, whisking constantly. Pour the tempered yolk mixture back into the saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium low and heat slowly, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until the custard reaches 175 degrees F and has thickened slightly. Do not allow to boil or the mixture will curdle. Set the pan into a larger container half-filled with ice and water and stir occasionally until completely chilled. Stir in the vanilla extract. If the custard is not totally smooth, strain through a fine-mesh strainer or blend until smooth with a handheld immersion blender.
• Process in an ice cream machine according to the manufacturer's directions. Store in the freezer until firm, at least 4 hours.
• For the sorghum molasses cookies: Add the butter and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl, if using a handheld mixer). Using the paddle attachment (for the stand mixer), beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula, and beat again for 20 seconds to ensure a homogenous mixture. Add the egg and beat until incorporated. Add the molasses and beat again until incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula, and beat again for 20 seconds.
• Combine the flour blend, baking soda, cinnamon, chia seed, ginger, salt and nutmeg in a medium bowl with a whisk. Add the dry mixture to the stand mixer bowl and stir on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened. Increase the speed to medium and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula, and beat again for 20 seconds. (For easier shaping, chill the dough for several hours until firm.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (if using a convection oven, preheat to 325 degrees F.) Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Using a small ice cream scoop, shape 1-ounce balls of dough (2 tablespoons in size) and roll them lightly in turbinado sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheets 4 inches apart and flatten slightly with your hands to a 1/2-inch thickness.
• Bake, rotating the pans once from front to back and from the bottom rack to the top rack during baking, until rich golden brown all over and puffed in the center, about 18 minutes. They will spread quite a bit and feel just set. Allow to cool completely, then freeze until ready to assemble the sandwiches.
• To assemble the sandwiches: Remove the ice cream from the freezer. If it is too firm to scoop easily, allow to soften for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the cookies from the freezer. Place 6 cookies face-down on a baking sheet. Top each cookie with a generous scoop of butterscotch ice cream, then top each with another cookie, face-up. Press down gently with the palm of your hand until the ice cream spreads to the edges of cookies. Place the sandwiches in the freezer until ready to serve.
• For the pineapple: Toss the pineapple with the brown sugar, rum, vanilla and salt in a medium bowl. Let marinate, stirring once or twice, until the sugar has dissolved and the pineapple releases its juices, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain the pineapple, reserving the marinade.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. When the pan is quite hot, add the butter and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the pineapple to the pan, spreading the pieces out in a single layer and taking care not to crowd the pan. When the pan has recovered its heat, pour in the marinade and allow to reduce until thickened and bubbly. Turn over the pineapple pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is all but evaporated and the pineapple is nicely browned all over. Remove the pineapple from the skillet.
• To serve: Cut each ice cream sandwich in half and plate with the warm, caramelized pineapple. Add a drizzle of caramel sauce and garnish with a bright edible flower and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Enjoy!
• Professional Recipe: This recipe was provided by a chef, restaurant or culinary professional and makes a large quantity. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe in the proportions indicated and therefore cannot make any representation as to the results.