Cherry Ice Cream with Chocolate Covered Cherries and Dark Chocolate Chips

It is time to pull out the ice cream maker
since the weather is going to be in the
high 90's all weekend.
Picnics and fireworks I enjoy but sweating
all day, no thanks.
I think I will avoid the heat for a little
while, stay inside and make some homemade
Cherry and Dark Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.


Cherry Ice Cream with Chocolate Covered Cherries and Dark Chocolate Chips

Ingredients
1 - 1 1/2 cup pitted, sweet cherries
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups of heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 pinch salt

2 teaspoon agave nectar
1/2 cup pitted, diced sweet cherries
1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup of chocolate covered dried cherries, chopped
1 -2 Tbsp of cherry liqueur or rum (optional)


* You may want to consider buying a cherry pitter - it is an awesome kitchen tool.
Thanks to Tyleen I have one and I love it!


To make the ice cream:

Place the pitted cherries, milk, one cup of the cream, sugar, and salt into a medium saucepan. You want to heat the mixture until it starts to steam a little but you do not want to bring it to a boil. After the mixture steams lower the heat to low and let it cook for about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the stove and pour the mixture into a bowl to cool. You can place the bowl in the refrigerator for a little while to speed up this process. Next you will pour the mixture into a blender and carefully purée.

Place the mixture back into a large bowl. Add in the remaining 1/2 cup of cream and agave nectar. Chill for several hours in the refrigerator until completely cold. *Don't forget you also need to chill your ice cream maker ring.

Rigt before you are ready to put the mixture into your ice cream maker you will stir in the fresh, chopped cherries, the chocolate covered cherries, the dark chocolate chips and the rum. Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and
let it turn for about 20 - 30 minutes.

Check your ice cream maker to see how the mixture is coming along. Remember the ice cream will still be pretty soft at this point. Gently empty the ice cream from your ice cream maker into an airtight container and place in the freezer until you are ready to serve.

A few notes:
You do not have to add alcohol to your ice cream if you don't want. It does help with the flavor and it makes takes the icy bits out of the ice cream.

If your ice cream is not powerful you can add the cherry bits and chocolate chips after it is finished churning. Just fold the chopped ingredients into the ice cream gently and then freeze.




It looks so good!