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Ricotta Ice Cream with Chocolate and Orange Recipe

5 from 148 reviews

This rich and creamy Ricotta Ice Cream with Chocolate and Orange combines the smooth texture of ricotta infused with fresh orange zest and studded with dark chocolate pieces. Perfectly balanced in flavors, this homemade ice cream requires gentle heating and careful churning to create a decadent dessert perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dairy and Eggs

  • 250 ml double cream
  • 100 ml whole milk
  • 240 g ricotta cheese
  • 6 egg yolks

Flavors and Sweeteners

  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 90 g caster sugar
  • 50 g dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped

Instructions

  1. Infuse flavors: In a medium saucepan, combine the double cream, whole milk, and orange zest. Warm the mixture over low heat gently for about 1 hour to allow the orange zest to infuse its aroma and flavor into the dairy.
  2. Add ricotta: Whisk the ricotta cheese into the infused cream and milk mixture until it becomes smooth, then continue heating the mixture until it is just under boiling, ensuring it doesn’t scald.
  3. Mix yolks and sugar: In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks and caster sugar together until the mixture becomes pale and smooth, creating a creamy base for the custard.
  4. Combine mixtures: Slowly pour the warm ricotta-infused mixture into the egg yolk and sugar mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs and combine the ingredients smoothly.
  5. Thicken custard: Return the combined mixture to the saucepan and gently heat it over low-medium heat, whisking constantly until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, making sure it never boils to avoid curdling.
  6. Strain and chill: Strain the custard through a fine sieve into a jug to remove any lumps or zest pieces, then cool it down by chilling in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours so the mixture can set and develop flavors.
  7. Churn ice cream: Pour the chilled custard into an ice cream machine and churn for about 20 minutes. Add the chopped dark chocolate during the last minute of churning to evenly distribute the chocolate pieces.
  8. Freeze: Transfer the churned ice cream into an airtight container and freeze for at least 8 hours to firm up before serving. This step enhances the texture, making the ice cream ideal for scooping and serving.

Notes

  • Ensure gentle heating throughout to prevent the custard from curdling.
  • Using high-quality ricotta and dark chocolate will elevate the flavor.
  • The infusion step with orange zest can be adjusted in time depending on desired intensity.
  • Make sure to chill the custard thoroughly before churning for best texture.
  • This recipe requires an ice cream machine for optimal results.

Keywords: ricotta ice cream, homemade ice cream, chocolate ice cream, orange ice cream, Italian dessert, creamy ice cream recipe