Licorice Ice Cream

I've had licorice ice cream on my to-do list all summer long but kept putting it off because it just doesn't strike me as a very summery flavor. However, now its fall but even though the leaves have turned bright yellow its still hot and summery outside. The perfect time to test out some fall ice cream flavors.

This ice cream has a smooth creamy licorice flavor with no hint of bitterness that can sometimes come with licorice flavored stuff.

 

We buy licorice ice cream whenever we see it at ice places but I had never tried making it myself. It's my boyfriend's favorite ice cream flavor (hence the spoon) and I've always loved the dapper grey colour of it.

I decided that the best place to start was with this licorice (liquorice?) toffee that we found at a candy shop near our house. It has no artificial flavors or colours and toffee melts better than those chewy licorice candies that are a bit easier to find.

 

For the ice cream base I went with the same recipe that I used for the buttered popcorn ice cream but reduced the sugar to just two tsp because the toffees are already loaded with sugar. Instead of using just the yolks of the eggs in the custard both of the entire eggs are beaten with the sugar until they reach the ribbon stage and then incorporated that way.

 

First the toffee is cut up into pieces and then slowly melted into the milk and cream over medium heat.

 

The mixture slowly turns grey as the toffee dissolves. It has to be stirred constantly to keep the candy from sticking to the bottom of the pot as it melts.

Once everything has melted it gets taken off the heat while the eggs get beaten with the sugar. When the eggs reach the ribbon stage the hot licorice and milk mixture is slowly beaten or whisked into the eggs. Then poured back into the pot and whisked over medium high heat until it thickens. I have to say that hot, grey custard isn't something that I'd normally find appealing but it was quite tasty. Much better frozen though.

 

After the custard has chilled in the fridge it gets run through the ice cream maker and voila! A delicious and unique ice cream flavor that is both elegant looking and a little bit halloween-y.

 

Licorice Ice Cream

3 packages of Black Licorice Toffee (about 13 oz)

2.5 cups whole milk

1.5 cups heavy cream (aka whipping cream)

 2 tsp sugar

2 eggs

1. Combine milk, cream, and chopped up licorice toffee. Stir over medium heat until toffee has melted completely. Once completely melted bring to a gentle simmer then remove from heat

2. In a separate bowl whisk or use a mixer to beat the eggs 2 tsp sugar until it reaches the ribbon stage

3. While still whisking/beating pour the warm milk into the eggs and beat until combine. Pour the egg milk mixture back into the clean pot and heat over medium until the mixture thickens while stirring constantly. The eggs will make a foam on top while you are heating it but once the mixture thickens they will start to incorporate.

4. Chill custard in fridge with plastic wrap placed directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. I like to chill mine over night. Then churn in an ice cream maker and either enjoy it as a soft serve ice cream right away or put it in your freezer to firm up and enjoy as scoops of ice cream.

 

Pin It

Comments

[Jessica]

Love it! I'm usually not such a big fan of licorice, but I love the colour and I can never say no to homemade ice cream.

[Mardi@eatliveravelwrite]

Very very pretty! I am a big fan of liquorice (and that liquorice toffee - YUMMM!) and love the chance to taste it in ice cream when I see it too.

[Catherine]

Where did you find the licorice? I've never seen those licorice toffees anywhere and they look fantastic!

[Lora]

Wow what a fantastic flavor! It looks wonderful for a licorice fan like me.

[Chelsey Van]

just lovely.

[Stephanie]

Catherine: I bought them at a Candy store in Kensington Calgary. You can find them at english import shops often as well.. or old fashioned Candy places

[DK]

I love the color... I wonder what adding some lavender to that would do.

[My German Kitchen...in the Rockies]

Wow, that is a dream come true ice cream! We all love liquorice. Why have I never thought about an ice cream like this? Thanks for the recipe!!!

[Rigel]

Looks divine! What a perfect treat for October. Licorice ice cream is my favorite flavour. Unless there is such a thing as candy corn flavored ice cream? That would probably be a close second :)

[Russell van Kraayenburg]

I love the color of this ice cream. It is seductive! And what an interesting flavor; I've never had anything like it. Now I want a big bowl!

[Mary at n00bcakes]

I love this! I recently purchased an ice cream maker that I've been wanting to use, but the last (and first) time I gave it a whirl my custard turned out chunky and gross...I'm not entirely sure what I did wrong. I may use your recipe next time around and try to follow it to a T.

Also, I definitely agree that "dapper" is the perfect adjective for that ice cream. Very nice (and fancy)!

[Lauren]

Try the grey stuff, it's delicious
Don't believe me?
Ask the dishes.

[Jay]

absolutely irresistable..
first time here..love your space..
awesome recipe collection with gorgeous cliks..
Am your happy follower now..:)
do stop by mine sometime..
Tasty Appetite

[Jay]

Am your FB fan too..:)
Tasty Appetite

[Amy]

I'm more curious about the spoon - I think I need one of those for my ice cream lovin' hubby :)

[Clockwork Lemon]

Lauren: I was singing that exact line when I was trying the custard!!

Amy: I got the spoons from etsy. I have one that says "her ice cream" This seller will do custom orders and is all around awesome http://www.etsy.com/transaction/44910709

[kyleen]

Wow, I've never heard of licorice ice cream, but this sounds delicious. I have to agree that a gray custard isn't very appealing (I tried making black sesame ice cream once and it was gray too), but it definitely looks a lot tastier when frozen.

[yummy supper]

Hey Stephanie,

Licorice ice cream... how fun, and "dapper" indeed. And I have to say that every time you use that spoon I smile. I LOVE it!

Cheers,
Erin

[patience]

fascinating...i don't think i have ever even met anyone who likes licorice flavour!

I LOVE description of the colour though "dapper grey" - that's the first thing i noticed about it!

[Olf Tunte]

That sounds delicious, and looks beautiful Seddy!

[Jessica @ bake me away!]

Being obsessed with grey, I adore the color! I have to say that I've never been able to like the taste of licorice, though. Hadn't ever seen licorice like that!

[Carol Egbert]

I never considered licorice as a possible ice cream flavor - I'd sure love to have a wall painted that color.

[Ugg outlet]

Darling work. I love how it turned out. You are so special in what you do for your family, guests and friends. I also noticed my buddy Max snuck in that pic.

[Mrs. Measurement]

Where did you get that spoon? It's so fun! I'd love to see if they have other wording options.

P.S. The ice cream looks great too.

[Inga O]

I love love LOVE licorice and would love to try this. I had no idea that someone out there even made licorice flavoured ice cream. I must try it!

[Chilliandmint]

This looks absolutely divine and I love the fact you don't need an ice-cream maker. I have never heard of licorice toffee but will try and seek it out in London. I may wait a few months before trying this one though as it's rather cold and windy here at the moment. Happy new year.

[Herve Leger]

Very cool idea. I think I will have to try this one. I just love the "It's the Little Things" line. Thanks!

[Black Licorice]

That looks so delicious, I'm definitely going to try that with some vanilla ice cram, yummy :)

[steffanee]

There was an ice cream shop names Rose's in Portland, OR who used to carry black licorice. Since they closed down years ago, I've been searching for the same and cannot find anyone to make it anywhere! SO HAPPY I cam across your site! I am ordering the toffee's online and will make my own! I am beyond thrilled! Thank you!!!

[Mark]

Stephanie:
I've been searching for a recipe like yours to try with some Herbsaint 'Liqueur d'Anis'. I have been making ice cream with different types of liquor recently and they have been a hit with friends. My last batch was blueberry ice cream with Bacardi Wolfberry rum. Delicious! I'll let you know how it turns out.
Thanks!

[Aimee Gray (@aimeesgray)]

I don't have an ice-cream maker so I'm wondering what you think would happen if I just froze it? There are some recipes that work just fine like that.

[Aimee]

I question whether this is going to work... :S There was WAY too much licorice (I strained most of it out because it was a dark dark green before most was melted). So it thickened quite a lot because of the licorice, so by the time I incorporated the eggs and put it back on the stove, it looked like it was curdling in about 3-4 min! In a double boiler too! GR! I chucked it in an icebath and whisked like crazy so we will see how the custard turns out...

[Stephanie]

Aimee: Oh no! What kind of licorice did you use? Mine didn't turn the milk green, I used the toffee pictured above. If you used a different candy it might give different results

[patti]

I have made licorice ice cream many times. I get the super strong black licorice whenever I am in europe. I have used many different types. It all works. Let the licorice dry out. Seep it in the milk and then remove any of it that remains in lump form. The ice cream by then has the grey color and flavor intact. Add black coloring if desired or leave natural. It works great. I do green tea ice cream this way too with seeping the bags in the warmed milk.