I recently discovered a delicious way to indulge in the holiday spirit – making cookie dough ice cream in Swedish Christmas style. Inspired by the famous cookie dough ice cream created by Ben & Jerry, I decided to try my hand at this festive treat. It turns out that making this delectable dessert is actually quite simple – all you need is a basic ice cream base and some scrumptious pieces of cookie dough. For the dough, I used a traditional Swedish gingerbread recipe, which includes a delightful blend of spices like cinnamon, ginger, and clove. After chilling the dough in the refrigerator, I mixed together the ice cream base and churned it to perfection. Finally, during the last phase of churning, I added the cookie dough, creating a mouthwatering combination. After a few hours in the freezer, the result was a creamy and delightful cookie dough ice cream, with a touch of Christmas spice. Trust me, this easy and crowd-pleasing dessert will surely be a hit at your next holiday gathering!

Making Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ice Cream

I have always been a fan of cookie dough ice cream, and with Christmas just around the corner, I decided to try making it with a festive twist. Inspired by the Swedish Christmas flavors, I came up with a recipe for Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ice Cream. This delightful treat combines the creamy richness of ice cream with the warm and spicy flavors of gingerbread cookies. In this article, I will guide you through the process of making this delicious ice cream from scratch. So, let’s get started!

Ingredients

To make this Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ice Cream, you will need two main components – the Ice Cream Base and the Gingerbread Cookie Dough.

Ice Cream Base

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Gingerbread Cookie Dough

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Optional: additional spices like nutmeg or allspice for extra flavor

Now that we have gathered our ingredients, let’s move on to making the ice cream base.

Making the Ice Cream Base

The ice cream base is the foundation of our Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ice Cream. It is a simple combination of cream, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Gather the Ingredients

Before you begin, make sure you have all the ingredients for the ice cream base. This will make the process much easier and more enjoyable.

Step 2: Combine the Cream and Milk

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and whole milk until well combined. This will give the ice cream its creamy texture.

Step 3: Add Sugar and Salt

Next, add the granulated sugar and salt to the cream and milk mixture. Whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved. This will add sweetness to the ice cream and enhance the flavor.

Step 4: Incorporate Vanilla Extract

Now, it’s time to add a touch of vanilla flavor. Add the vanilla extract to the mixture and whisk until well incorporated. Vanilla extract adds a warm and inviting aroma to the ice cream.

Step 5: Chill the Mixture

Once the ice cream base is ready, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Chilling the mixture is essential as it allows the flavors to meld together and ensures a smooth and creamy consistency.

With the ice cream base chilling in the refrigerator, let’s move on to preparing the Gingerbread Cookie Dough.

Preparing the Gingerbread Cookie Dough

The Gingerbread Cookie Dough is what gives our ice cream its festive and spicy kick. It’s a combination of classic gingerbread flavors like cinnamon and ginger. Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Measure the Ingredients

Before you start mixing the dough, measure out all the ingredients for the cookie dough. Having everything ready will make the process go smoothly.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This can be done with an electric mixer or by hand with a sturdy whisk. Creaming the butter and sugar creates a light and airy texture in the dough.

Step 3: Add Light Syrup

Next, add the light syrup to the butter and sugar mixture. The light syrup adds sweetness and helps bind the dough together.

Step 4: Sift the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground cloves. Sifting the dry ingredients removes any lumps and ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 5: Mix and Chill

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Once mixed, cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough will make it easier to handle and prevent it from spreading too much during baking.

Now that we have our Gingerbread Cookie Dough prepared, it’s time to combine it with the ice cream base.

Combining the Ice Cream Base and Cookie Dough

This is where the magic happens! We will combine the creamy ice cream base with chunks of delicious Gingerbread Cookie Dough. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Churn the Ice Cream Base

Take the ice cream base out of the refrigerator. Pour it into your ice cream maker and churn it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Churning incorporates air into the mixture and freezes it, resulting in a smooth and creamy ice cream base.

Step 2: Incorporate the Cookie Dough

While the ice cream base is churning, take the chilled Gingerbread Cookie Dough out of the refrigerator. Break it into small pieces or roll it into small balls. Approximately halfway through the churning process, add the cookie dough pieces to the ice cream base. The churning will evenly distribute the cookie dough throughout the ice cream.

Step 3: Continue Churning

Once the cookie dough is incorporated, continue churning the ice cream until it reaches your desired consistency. This usually takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on your ice cream maker.

Now that our Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ice Cream is ready, let’s move on to freezing and serving.

Freezing and Serving

After all the hard work, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Here’s how to freeze and serve your homemade Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ice Cream:

Step 1: Transfer to a Freezer-Safe Container

Once the ice cream has reached the desired consistency, transfer it to a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid. This container will keep the ice cream fresh and prevent freezer burn.

Step 2: Freeze for a Few Hours

Place the container in the freezer and let the ice cream freeze for at least a few hours or overnight. This will allow the flavors to develop fully and give the ice cream a firm texture.

Step 3: Serve and Enjoy

When you’re ready to indulge in some creamy, spicy goodness, take the Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ice Cream out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly. Scoop the ice cream into bowls or cones and savor every bite. Feel free to top it with whipped cream, sprinkles, or additional cookie dough pieces for an extra decadent treat!

Tips and Variations

Making Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ice Cream is a delightful experience, and here are a few tips and variations to make it even more special:

Tip 1: Add Other Christmas Spices

If you’re feeling adventurous, feel free to experiment with other Christmas spices like nutmeg or allspice. These flavors will add depth and complexity to your ice cream, making it even more festive.

Tip 2: Use Store-bought Cookie Dough

If you’re short on time or prefer a hassle-free option, you can use store-bought gingerbread cookie dough instead of making it from scratch. This will save you some preparation time and still give you that delicious gingerbread flavor.

Variation: Vegan Option

For those following a vegan diet, you can easily adapt this recipe by using plant-based alternatives. Substitute the heavy cream and whole milk in the ice cream base with your preferred non-dairy alternatives, such as coconut milk or almond milk. For the cookie dough, use vegan butter and replace the eggs with a suitable egg substitute like flaxseed meal or applesauce.

Variation: Gluten-free Option

If you or your loved ones have gluten sensitivities or follow a gluten-free diet, you can make a gluten-free version of this ice cream by using gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour in the cookie dough. Additionally, ensure that the other ingredients you use, such as the light syrup, are also gluten-free.

Conclusion

Making Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ice Cream is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season. The combination of creamy ice cream and spicy gingerbread flavors is a crowd-pleaser that will be enjoyed by all. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can create your own homemade ice cream that will wow your family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to savor the deliciousness of Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ice Cream. Happy holidays and happy scooping!