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You didn’t think that I would make innocent-looking graham crackers without providing you with something else to do with them, did you? It’s summer, I obviously have s’mores on the brain, and so I set about making some s’mores ice cream. I’ve seen many versions of it over the last few years, but most of them all took the same general route – chocolate ice cream, mini marshmallows and some crumbled graham crackers. All of the components are there, but it’s missing one key element. Toasted marshmallows. S’mores aren’t just about plain old marshmallows… you’ve got to get them nice and toasty (I usually let mine catch fire and huff and puff to blow it out), and only then do you add them to your graham cracker and chocolate sandwich. They melt and ooze, but have that burnt, crisp exterior. This version of s’mores ice cream starts with a toasted marshmallow ice cream base, to which I added a fudge swirl for the chocolate component and chopped up pieces of my homemade graham crackers. Now this is s’mores ice cream nirvana.

I’ve been thinking about this ice cream ever since seeing toasted marshmallow ice cream over on Tracey’s blog a few months ago. It made my ears shoot straight up, my eyes widen and my tongue drool just a little. I loved the idea and tucked it away on the back burner for when summer rolled around, since summer makes me crave s’mores like nobody’s business. I revisited it again recently and was trying to figure out how I could turn the ice cream into one massive s’more. I gave it some thought and decided to use the toasted marshmallow ice cream as a base, swirl in a fudge ripple, and throw in big chunks of graham crackers.

I took my first spoonful of ice cream straight from the bowl when it finished churning and I almost fell over. The flavor of toasted marshmallows is so distinct and delicious – there is absolutely no questioning what you’re eating; the flavor shines through the ice cream. By the time the graham cracker chunks were mixed in and the fudge swirl layered on, I had exactly what I had hoped for – the most insane s’mores ice cream I could have ever imagined. I was floating on a cloud of toasted marshmallows. Your summer NEEDS this ice cream! You’re going to love it!

Three years ago: Almond Macarons Filled with Nutella
Four years ago: Parmesan Chicken[/donotprint]

S'mores Ice Cream

Yield: 1 quarts
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Freezer time: 12 hours
Total Time: 12 hours 30 minutes
Homemade ice cream with all the goodness of s'mores
4.35 (20 ratings)
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

For the Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream:

  • 10 ounces (283.5 g) large marshmallows
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 2 cups (488 ml) whole milk
  • 5 egg yolks
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup (238 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Fudge Swirl:

  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (125 ml) water
  • ⅓ cup (113.67 ml) light corn syrup
  • 6 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups (135 g) coarsely chopped graham crackers, store-bought or homemade

Instructions 

  • Make the Ice Cream Base: Spread the marshmallows in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place them under the broiler for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until toasted (keep a close eye so they don't start smoking!). Take them out and, using tongs, flip them over and pop them back under the broiler for another 30 seconds or so, until the other side is toasted. (Alternately, you can use a kitchen torch to toast them right there on the pan.) Set the marshmallows aside.
  • Place the milk in a medium saucepan. Split the vanilla bean down the middle and scrape the seeds into the pan with the milk, then add the vanilla bean to the milk as well. Set the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and salt in a large, heatproof bowl. Slowly add the warm milk mixture to the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan, using a rubber spatula to scrape the mixture from the bowl back into the pan. Turn the heat down to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly with the spatula, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon (it should be between 170 and 175 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer). Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl.
  • Let the mixture cool for about 15 minutes, stirring it every few minutes to help it cool down faster. Put the toasted marshmallows in the blender, then pour the custard into the blender as well. Puree until the marshmallows are completely broken down and the mixture is smooth. Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract and blend again for about 5 to 10 seconds to combine. Pour the mixture into a bowl, cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  • Make the Fudge Swirl: Whisk together the sugar, water, corn syrup and cocoa powder in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture begins to bubble at the edges. Continue to whisk until it just comes to a low boil. Cook for 1 minute, whisking frequently. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla and let cool. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before using. It can be stored for up to 2 weeks, covered, in the refrigerator.
  • Churn the Ice Cream: Before churning, whisk the custard vigorously until it is smooth and has a pourable consistency (it will be a little spongy when it first comes out of the fridge). Freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions. When it's done churning, gently fold in the chopped graham crackers with a rubber spatula. Spoon some of the fudge swirl onto the bottom of the storage container. As you remove the ice cream from the machine, layer generous spoonfuls of the sauce between layers of the ice cream, ending with a top layer of ice cream. Do not stir the fudge into the ice cream, as it will make the ice cream muddy looking. Freeze until the ice cream is firm, at least 2 hours.

Notes

Nutritional values are based on half a quart
Calories: 2717kcal, Carbohydrates: 448g, Protein: 36g, Fat: 97g, Saturated Fat: 51g, Cholesterol: 900mg, Sodium: 1049mg, Potassium: 1077mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 338g, Vitamin A: 3725IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 655mg, Iron: 8.6mg

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Author: Michelle Lettrich
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American