Description
This Dulce de Leche Ice Cream recipe combines creamy heavy cream and milk with rich, caramel-flavored dulce de leche to create a luscious and smooth frozen dessert. The ice cream base is gently heated to meld flavors, chilled to develop depth, then churned to creamy perfection before swirling in extra dulce de leche for a decadent finish. Perfect for caramel lovers seeking a homemade treat that’s indulgent yet straightforward to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Ice Cream Base
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 (13.4 oz) can dulce de leche (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Swirling
- Extra dulce de leche (about ¼ cup or to taste)
Instructions
- Heat mixture: In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, dulce de leche, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring often to prevent scorching, until the dulce de leche is fully melted and the mixture becomes smooth. Do not allow the mixture to boil to preserve the creamy texture.
- Chill base: Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the mixture into a large bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least six hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to fully chill.
- Churn ice cream: After chilling, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which typically takes about 20 to 25 minutes. This process incorporates air to create a light, creamy texture.
- Layer and swirl dulce de leche: Transfer half of the churned ice cream into a loaf pan or suitable ice cream container. Spoon a few dollops of extra dulce de leche over the ice cream and gently swirl it with a knife or spatula. Add the remaining ice cream on top and repeat the swirling with dulce de leche for a marbled effect.
- Freeze to set: Cover the pan or container tightly and place it into the freezer. Allow the ice cream to firm up for at least 4 hours before serving to achieve the perfect scoopable consistency.
- Serve and enjoy: Scoop the dulce de leche ice cream into serving cups or cones and enjoy the rich, velvety caramel flavor.
Notes
- Do not boil the ice cream base to prevent curdling or altering the texture.
- Chilling overnight improves the flavor and the texture of the ice cream.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can periodically stir the mixture while freezing to mimic the churning process.
- For additional texture, consider adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips during the final swirling step.
- Store leftover ice cream tightly covered in the freezer to prevent ice crystals from forming.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churning (Ice Cream Maker)
- Cuisine: Latin American
Keywords: Dulce de Leche Ice Cream, Homemade Ice Cream, Caramel Ice Cream, Frozen Dessert, Latin American Dessert
