MAPLE-BACON CRUNCH ICE CREAM

Maple-Bacon Crunch Ice Cream image

Provided by Bob Blumer - Host of Surreal Gourmet and Glutton for Punishment

Time 2h40m

Yield 1 quart

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup whole milk
1 cup maple syrup, preferably grade B
2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for the baking sheet
3 strips smoked bacon, preferably Nueske's brand
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon chipotle chile powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper

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.