With its heavenly blend of creamy vanilla ice cream, crunchy fudge-covered waffle cone pieces, and indulgent caramel swirls, this Ben & Jerry’s Americone Dream Ice Cream is a true masterpiece. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy… basically, it’s everything my taste buds could ask for!
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How to make Ben & Jerry’s Americone Dream Ice Cream
Ben & Jerry’s Americone Dream Ice Cream is a vanilla ice cream flavor mixed with fudge-covered waffle cone pieces and a caramel swirl, created in partnership with Stephen Colbert.
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Ice Cream Base:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Mix-Ins:
- 1 cup waffle cone pieces (about 2-3 waffle cones, broken into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
For the Chocolate Coating:
- 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
Preparing the Vanilla Ice Cream Base:
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the sugar is dissolved.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best results. This allows the flavors to meld together and ensures it’s thoroughly chilled for the ice cream maker.
Preparing the Fudge-Covered Waffle Cone Pieces:
- Make the Chocolate Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Coat the Waffle Cone Pieces: Dip each waffle cone piece into the melted chocolate, ensuring they’re well-coated. Place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to set. Chill in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes.
Making the Ice Cream:
- Churn the Ice Cream: After the vanilla ice cream base is well-chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This typically takes about 20-25 minutes.
- Add Mix-Ins: Once the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency, mix in the fudge-covered waffle cone pieces. Gently fold in the caramel sauce to create ribbons throughout the ice cream.
- Freeze: Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
Tips for the Perfect Americone Dream Ice Cream:
- Using High-Quality Ingredients: Higher quality vanilla extract and chocolate will significantly enhance the flavor of your ice cream.
- Chill Everything: Ensure all your ingredients, especially the ice cream base, are well-chilled before churning to facilitate the freezing process.
- Don’t Overmix the Caramel: Lightly fold in the caramel sauce to achieve nice ribbons of caramel rather than blending it completely into the ice cream.
- Storage: Store the ice cream in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface to prevent ice crystals from forming.
What to serve with
Ben & Jerry’s Americone Dream Ice Cream is a decadent dessert that combines creamy vanilla ice cream, caramel swirls, and crunchy fudge-covered waffle cone pieces. While this flavor is indulgent on its own, you can take your dessert game to the next level by pairing it with complementary treats, textures, and flavors.
1. Pairing Idea: Brownies or Blondies
There’s something magical about combining ice cream with warm baked goods. Rich, fudgy brownies or golden blondies pair flawlessly with Americone Dream’s vanilla ice cream base and caramel ribbons. The crunch from the waffle cone pieces adds a playful texture to the soft, chewy dessert.
How to Serve: Place a warm brownie or blondie on a plate and top it with a generous scoop of ice cream. Let the ice cream melt slightly into the dessert, creating a creamy, gooey sauce.
Bonus Idea: Drizzle additional caramel sauce or chocolate syrup on top for enhanced decadence.
2. Fresh Fruit
Pairing Idea: Strawberries, Bananas, or Raspberries
Fresh fruit can lighten the richness of Americone Dream and bring a refreshing touch to your dessert plate. The natural sweetness and tanginess of fruit like strawberries, raspberries, or sliced bananas pair beautifully with the caramel swirls and chocolate crunch.
How to Serve: Toss the fruit in a light honey glaze or sprinkle with powdered sugar. Arrange the fruit alongside your ice cream or layer it in bowls for a simple-yet-stunning presentation.
3. Classic Pairings
Pairing Idea: Waffle Cones or Bowls
Since Americone Dream features fudge-covered waffle cone pieces, serving it in fresh waffle cones or waffle bowls brings out the nostalgic crunch and amplifies the flavor. It’s a natural pairing that feels playful and classic!
How to Serve: Fill waffle cones with scoops of Americone Dream Ice Cream. Add whipped cream, sprinkles, or a cherry on top for a traditional ice cream shop vibe.
4. Salty Snack Pairings
Pairing Idea: Pretzels or Potato Chips
If you love combining salty and sweet flavors, pair Americone Dream with salty snacks like pretzels or potato chips. The saltiness enhances the caramel and chocolate elements in the ice cream for a perfect flavor contrast.
How to Serve: Arrange pretzels alongside the ice cream. For an extra indulgent twist, dip pretzels or potato chips in chocolate before serving.
Final Thoughts
Ben & Jerry’s Americone Dream Ice Cream is versatile enough to pair with countless desserts and sides.
More Ice Cream Recipes:
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Ice Cream Base:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Mix-Ins:
- 1 cup waffle cone pieces
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup caramel sauce
For the Chocolate Coating:
- 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
Preparing the Vanilla Ice Cream Base:
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the sugar is dissolved.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best results. This allows the flavors to meld together and ensures it’s thoroughly chilled for the ice cream maker.
Preparing the Fudge-Covered Waffle Cone Pieces:
- Make the Chocolate Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Coat the Waffle Cone Pieces: Dip each waffle cone piece into the melted chocolate, ensuring they’re well-coated. Place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to set. Chill in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes.
Making the Ice Cream:
- Churn the Ice Cream: After the vanilla ice cream base is well-chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. This typically takes about 20-25 minutes.
- Add Mix-Ins: Once the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency, mix in the fudge-covered waffle cone pieces. Gently fold in the caramel sauce to create ribbons throughout the ice cream.
- Freeze: Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
