Sweet & Savory Sensation: The Ultimate Candied Cherry and Bacon Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe

Welcome to the most exciting time of the year for dessert enthusiasts: Ice Cream Week! If there’s one rule during this celebration, it’s to embrace creativity and push the boundaries of conventional flavors. And trust me, we’re about to do just that with a dessert that perfectly embodies the spirit of adventurous eating. Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary culinary journey with our Candied Cherry and Bacon Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. This isn’t just ice cream; it’s a bold statement, a delightful paradox that marries sweet, salty, and fruity notes into a single, irresistible scoop. Forget everything you thought you knew about dessert because this unique blend of ingredients is here to revolutionize your frozen treat experience.

The Genesis of a Culinary Adventure

The inspiration for this surprisingly harmonious concoction arose during a moment of playful culinary curiosity. It all started when I shared a sneak peek of my German Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies. My good friend, Susan of Girl in the Little Red Kitchen, commented on the photo, asking if there was bacon in it. At the time, the image wasn’t explicitly labeled, and the pecans in the picture led to a momentary delicious confusion. I replied, “No, not this time!” But her question ignited a spark of creativity within me. “Could I,” I wondered, “actually craft a recipe featuring bacon in ice cream?” The idea took root, blossoming into a tantalizing challenge. I already had sweet, chewy candied cherries in my fridge, and chocolate chips are a pantry staple. The concept began to solidify: what if I adapted the base from one of my favorite cookie recipes, infusing it with these surprising elements? This thought process led directly to the birth of this incredible Candied Cherry and Bacon Chocolate Chip Ice Cream—a creamy, brown sugar-based delight generously studded with crispy bacon, luscious candied cherries, and rich semisweet chocolate chips. It was an idea too intriguing not to bring to life, and the result, as you’ll soon discover, is nothing short of spectacular.

A Symphony of Sweet and Savory Flavors

Before you raise an eyebrow, let me assure you: bacon, cherry, and chocolate chips are not just an unusual combination; they are a match made in culinary heaven. This trio stands as one of my all-time favorite flavor pairings, delivering a complexity that delights and surprises with every bite. Imagine the satisfying crunch and unmistakable savory, smoky notes of perfectly cooked bacon. This is beautifully complemented by the bright, intense sweetness and slight tartness of candied cherries, which provide a chewy, fruity counterpoint. Finally, the decadent, bittersweet crunch of semisweet chocolate chips ties everything together, adding a layer of rich indulgence that balances the salty and fruity elements. To further enhance this harmony, I chose a brown sugar ice cream base. This choice isn’t arbitrary; the deep, caramel-like sweetness of brown sugar perfectly mimics the comforting flavor profile of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, providing a warm, inviting foundation for the bold mix-ins. The original base recipe, adapted from Love and Olive Oil’s The Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbook, offers a superb canvas. While that book celebrates cookie dough, here we’re celebrating a symphony of textures and tastes: crispy bacon, chewy cherries, and melty chocolate, all suspended in a velvety, brown sugar-infused custard. If you don’t have homemade candied cherries readily available, don’t fret! You can easily substitute them with chopped maraschino cherries, though I highly recommend trying the homemade version for an unparalleled depth of flavor.

Crafting Your Homemade Masterpiece: Tips for Success

Making ice cream at home is a rewarding experience, and this particular recipe, while unique, follows fundamental principles that ensure a delicious outcome. For truly spectacular results, a few key considerations will elevate your homemade treat.

Mastering the Mix-ins: Bacon, Cherries, and Chocolate

• The Bacon Factor: Not all bacon is created equal for ice cream. Opt for a good quality, thick-cut bacon if possible. Cook it until it’s wonderfully crispy but not burnt. After cooking, it’s crucial to drain the bacon thoroughly on paper towels to remove excess grease. This prevents a greasy texture in your ice cream and ensures the bacon retains its delightful crispness. Once cooled, chop it into small, manageable pieces so every spoonful delivers that perfect salty crunch.
• Candied Cherry Perfection: While chopped maraschino cherries are a convenient substitute, taking the time to candy your own sour cherries truly makes a difference. The process is simple: simmering cherries with water, sugar, and lemon juice until a thick syrup forms. This infuses the cherries with a deep, concentrated sweetness and a lovely chewiness. Adding a few drops of almond extract at the end enhances their natural flavor beautifully. Remember to drain them well after candying to avoid introducing too much liquid into your ice cream base. You can make these ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, making prep day a breeze.
• Chocolate Chips: Semisweet chocolate chips offer the ideal balance of sweetness and bitterness, complementing both the bacon and cherries without overpowering them. Don’t be shy with them! I believe in an abundance of mix-ins – no one wants an ice cream where you’re hunting for the good stuff. Every spoonful should be a “big flavor party in your mouth,” packed with all three delightful elements.

Crafting the Velvety Brown Sugar Base

The ice cream base is the backbone of this dessert, and achieving a smooth, rich custard is paramount. This recipe utilizes an egg-yolk enriched custard, which gives the ice cream its luxurious texture and prevents excessive ice crystal formation.

• Tempering the Eggs: This step might sound intimidating, but it’s straightforward. Slowly whisking a portion of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks gradually brings their temperature up without scrambling them. Once tempered, you return the egg mixture to the saucepan with the rest of the milk, cooking gently until it thickens. A key indicator is when the custard coats the back of a spoon. Using a thermometer to reach 160-165°F (71-74°C) ensures food safety and optimal thickness.
• Thorough Chilling: After cooking, the custard needs to be chilled completely, ideally overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the mixture to become very cold, which is essential for efficient churning in your ice cream maker. Rushing this step can lead to a less creamy, icier texture.
• Churning and Adding Mix-ins: Follow your ice cream maker’s instructions for churning. The mix-ins – the reserved candied cherries, chopped bacon, and chocolate chips – should be added towards the end of the churning process, usually when the ice cream is still soft but nearly firm. This ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the batch. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this delicious treat by freezing the custard in a bowl and whisking it every 30-45 minutes to break up ice crystals until firm, though an ice cream maker will yield the creamiest results.

Serving Suggestions and Pairing Ideas

This Candied Cherry and Bacon Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is spectacular on its own, but its unique profile also makes it a fantastic accompaniment to other desserts. Imagine a scoop melting atop a warm brownie, contrasting with a delicate crepe, or nestled beside a slice of apple pie. For an extra touch of decadence, drizzle with a bit of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving. This ice cream also shines as part of an elaborate sundae bar, inviting guests to explore further unconventional toppings. Don’t be afraid to experiment! The beauty of homemade treats lies in the freedom to tailor them to your personal preferences.

Candied Cherry and Bacon Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Yield:
1 pint

Make the candied cherries ahead of time. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can substitute 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries instead.

Ingredients

Candied Cherries:

• 1/2 pound (8 oz) sour cherries, pitted
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Few drops of almond extract

Ice Cream:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cooked bacon, chopped
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Make the candied cherries

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the cherries, water, sugar, and lemon juice until it starts to boil.
2. Turn the heat down to low and cook for 25 minutes, stirring frequently during the last 10 minutes to ensure they are not sticking.
3. Once the syrup is reduced to the consistency of maple syrup, remove from the heat and add the almond extract. Let the cherries cool in their syrup.
4. After cool, drain the cherries in a strainer over a bowl for about 1 hour. Reserve 1/2 cup candied cherries; save the rest and the syrup for another recipe.

Make the ice cream base

1. Pour 1/2 cup cream into a medium heatproof bowl and set it in an ice bath. Place a strainer on top.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the remaining 1/2 cup cream, milk, sugars, and salt until the sugars have dissolved.
3. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Slowly whisk in the warm milk mixture then pour it all back into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon with a temperature of 160-165F. Remove from the heat. Pour through the strainer into the reserved cream and stir. Whisk in the vanilla. Let cool in the ice bath until room temperature.
4. Cover the bowl with a lid or or plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Place the custard into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the company’s directions or place the bowl in the freezer, whisking every 30-45 minutes to break up the ice crystals. When it is a few minutes away from being completely firm, stir in the reserved 1/2 cup candied cherries, chopped bacon, and chocolate chips.

Did you make this recipe?

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Source: Adapted from The Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbook (Amazon affiliate link)

Embrace the Unexpected: Your Next Favorite Dessert Awaits

Embrace the unexpected and embark on a flavor adventure with this Candied Cherry and Bacon Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. It’s a testament to the fact that some of the most extraordinary culinary delights come from daring to combine seemingly disparate ingredients. This recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience, a conversation starter, and a true celebration of bold flavors. Don’t let its unconventional nature deter you – give it a try, and prepare to be utterly captivated. We can’t wait to hear what you think of this sweet, savory, and utterly unforgettable frozen treat!