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Magic Strawberry Ice Cream

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 14, 2013

Time

20 minutes, plus 6 hours freezing

Yield

Serves 8 (Makes 1 quart)

Magic Strawberry Ice Cream

Ingredients

8 ounces (227 grams) strawberries, hulled (1 ½ cups)½ cup sweetened condensed milk 1 ounce (28 grams) white chocolate chips 1 tablespoon vodka ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch salt 1 ¼ cups heavy cream, chilled

Before You Begin

You can use 6 ounces of thawed, frozen berries in place of fresh ones and bar white chocolate in place of the chips—chop it finely before melting it. If you plan to store the ice cream for more than a few days, place plastic wrap directly on its surface.

Instructions

  1. Process strawberries in food processor until smooth, about 30 seconds (puree should measure about ¾ cup). Microwave sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate chips, and vodka in large bowl until chocolate melts, about 1 minute, whisking halfway through cooking. Whisk in strawberry puree, vanilla, and salt.
  2. Using stand mixer fitted with whisk, whip cream on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form, 1 to 3 minutes. Whisk one-third of whipped cream into strawberry mixture, then gently fold in remaining whipped cream, 1 scoop at a time, until combined. Freeze in airtight container until firm, 6 hours or up to 2 weeks. Serve.
Magic Strawberry Ice Cream

Magic Strawberry Ice Cream

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

20 minutes, plus 6 hours freezing

Yield

Serves 8 (Makes 1 quart)

Ingredients

8 ounces (227 grams) strawberries, hulled (1 ½ cups)
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
1 ounce (28 grams) white chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vodka
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch salt
1 ¼ cups heavy cream, chilled

Ingredients

8 ounces (227 grams) strawberries, hulled (1 ½ cups)
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
1 ounce (28 grams) white chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vodka
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch salt
1 ¼ cups heavy cream, chilled

Ingredients

8 ounces (227 grams) strawberries, hulled (1 ½ cups)
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
1 ounce (28 grams) white chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vodka
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch salt
1 ¼ cups heavy cream, chilled

Why This Recipe Works

In the past, we nailed a machine-free method for homemade vanilla and chocolate ice creams using a base of sweetened condensed milk, melted chocolate chips (white or semisweet), and whipped cream. Could we complete the Neapolitan trifecta with a strawberry version? The moisture-rich berries provided more of an icy challenge than we’d imagined, but a small amount of vodka kept the crystals at bay and let the fresh berry flavor shine.

Before You Begin

You can use 6 ounces of thawed, frozen berries in place of fresh ones and bar white chocolate in place of the chips—chop it finely before melting it. If you plan to store the ice cream for more than a few days, place plastic wrap directly on its surface.

Instructions

  1. Process strawberries in food processor until smooth, about 30 seconds (puree should measure about ¾ cup). Microwave sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate chips, and vodka in large bowl until chocolate melts, about 1 minute, whisking halfway through cooking. Whisk in strawberry puree, vanilla, and salt.
  2. Using stand mixer fitted with whisk, whip cream on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form, 1 to 3 minutes. Whisk one-third of whipped cream into strawberry mixture, then gently fold in remaining whipped cream, 1 scoop at a time, until combined. Freeze in airtight container until firm, 6 hours or up to 2 weeks. Serve.

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