Description
This luxurious Gourmet Fig and Vanilla Ice Cream recipe combines creamy vanilla custard with sweet, syrupy figs for an indulgent dessert. Made with a rich custard base infused with vanilla bean and complemented by the natural sweetness of honey-simmered figs, this ice cream brings Mediterranean-inspired flavors to your table. Enjoy this delicious treat as a refreshing dessert or an elegant addition to your dinner party menu.
Ingredients
Scale
Custard Base
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
- 5 large egg yolks
Fig Mixture
- 1 1/2 cups dried figs, chopped
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Vanilla Custard: In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, half of the sugar, and vanilla bean paste or scraped vanilla bean seeds along with the pod. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it is just steaming but not boiling.
- Whisk Egg Yolks: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and the remaining sugar until pale and thick. Slowly temper the yolks by whisking in about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture.
- Cook Custard: Gradually whisk the tempered yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining cream mixture. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Strain and Chill Custard: Strain the custard through a fine sieve into a clean bowl to remove the vanilla pod and any cooked egg bits. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to chill thoroughly.
- Prepare Fig Mixture: While custard chills, combine the chopped figs, honey, and optional brandy in a small saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the figs soften and the mixture becomes syrupy. Allow to cool completely.
- Churn Ice Cream: Pour the chilled custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In the last few minutes of churning, gradually add the cooled fig mixture to combine.
- Freeze and Serve: Transfer the churned ice cream to a lidded container and freeze for at least 4 hours to firm up before serving.
Notes
- For an even deeper fig flavor, try roasting the figs before simmering with honey.
- This ice cream pairs beautifully with almond biscotti or can be drizzled with a balsamic reduction for a sophisticated presentation.
- Brandy is optional but adds a lovely warmth and depth to the fig mixture.
- Make sure the custard is completely chilled before churning to ensure the best texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus at least 4 hours chilling and 4 hours freezing)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churned Ice Cream
- Cuisine: Gourmet, Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
