Creamy, Dreamy Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream to Help You Beat the Heat

Now that summer is upon us, it’s time to beat the heat however we can. And when a beach vacation isn’t on the radar, what could be better than a creamy, light, and refreshing ice cream?

Every time I hear the ice cream truck going around my neighborhood, I honestly still get that little surge of excitement in me. When you hear the sound of the truck in the distance, it’s pretty hard to stop yourself from drooling.

Am I alone in this?

Of course, seeing kids from the neighborhood run up to an ice cream truck at full speed with excitement in their eyes is pretty normal. Seeing a thirty-something woman flagging down the truck with earnest jubilation might be a little weird.

Though at least I would be getting my exercise to offset the calorie intake…

Instead, let’s all agree that it’s time to indulge a little, embrace that sweet tooth, and hop on the cherry bandwagon while the season is still going strong.

This ice cream is one of the best ways to capture the rich, deep, and slightly sweet flavors of fresh cherries.

You start by making a syrup that’s more complex than simple, comprised of a variety of flavorful sweeteners. And then you infuse this syrup with the fresh fruit, allowing them to steep briefly, elevating it to a whole new level of goodness.

At the same time, the cherries are glazed with the syrup, so they have an added sweetness that is simply irresistible.

With the combination of the delicious syrup and the fresh glazed fruit, you get a double hit of cherry flavor that everyone will go nuts for.

To top it all off, what pairs better with cherries than dark chocolate?

Honestly, when it comes to dessert, not much. The dark chocolate and the fruit complement each other so well with their rich flavors.

The bitterness of the dark chocolate, the tartness of the cherries, and the overall sweet flavor elements make this ice cream one of my favorites to bust out during the summer.

It doesn’t matter if you serve this creamy, dreamy ice cream in a a classic waffle cone or a bowl – any way you serve it offers a direct route the heart of whomever takes a lick or spoonful.

Aside from using the freshest cherries you can get your hands on (the farmers market is an excellent option for this, when in season), my recommendation is to invest in a really nice bar of dark chocolate. If you are someone who loves more bitterness, go for a chocolate that is 80 to 90% cacao.

For a little less bitterness, you can go for 60 to 70% cacao.

Another option, for those of you who aren’t on this bandwagon completely, is to try out a mixture of dark and milk chocolate. You’ll get a little extra sweetness and a bit of bitterness to counter the tart flavor of the cherries.

Honestly, any type of chocolate goes with cherries, so embrace whatever tastes best in your opinion.

You could even use white instead of dark or milk, if that’s more your speed. In fact, this would probably make an amazing combo with golden Rainier cherries…

Any way you try it, this is a frozen dessert that you’ll want to make a staple in your home every single summer.

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Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Prep and Measure Ingredients

If you are using an ice cream maker, make sure the components are frozen or prepped according to the manufacturer’s directions. Sometimes this requires 24 hours of advance chill time, so be prepared!

Unless you are using chips, chop the chocolate into fine pieces. Place in a bowl and set aside.

Pit the cherries, then halve them. Place in another bowl.

This can be done by hand with a paring knife, but I prefer to pit them with a handy little kitchen gadget that’s designed for this purpose. You lose less fruit that way, and it’s less time consuming!

Measure the remaining ingredients, so they are ready when you need them. No surprises this way! (Nothing’s worse than reaching for the sugar that you need for a recipe when you’re halfway through making it, only to realize that the sugar bowl is empty. I’m sure you can relate.).

Step 2 – Make Syrup

Add the sugar, honey, and maple syrup to a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk occasionally, until the sugar melts.

Add the cherries to the saucepan, and let them cook in the syrup until it thickens and the fruit is glazed well.

Strain through a colander or fine mesh strainer, reserving the syrup.

Place the cherries back in their bowl and the syrup in another container, and allow to cool on the countertop. When they’re no longer steaming, place in the refrigerator to cool completely.

Step 3 – Create the Base

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs for 1 to 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.

Whisk in the cooled syrup a little at a time, until blended well.

Pour in the cream and milk, and whisk to combine.

Place in the freezer for about 20 minutes to chill.

Step 4 – Churn (or Mix and Freeze)

Add the base mixture to your ice cream maker, and churn according to the instructions that came with the machine.

About 2 minutes before the churning process is complete, add the chocolate and halved cherries.

If you don’t have an ice cream maker, alternate “churning” with a hand mixer and returning to the freezer for several intervals until you create the texture that you are looking for, then stir to combine with the add-ins.

Step 5 – Freeze

Scoop into a loaf pan or airtight container, and cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap.

Place in the freezer for at least 2-4 more hours before serving, if you like a firm texture.

Fruity Frozen Desserts Are All The Rage

This year, fruity frozen desserts are in. From cherries to blueberries, raspberries to strawberries, and every fruit in between, frozen fruity desserts are the best way to close out a summer meal.

If you can’t get enough once you’ve tried this delicious dessert, be sure to check out a few more of our favorite recipes below:

• Paleo Mango Ice Cream
• Strawberry and Goat Cheese Sherbet
• Vegan Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
• Strawberry Walnut Chocolate Chunk
• 3-Ingredient Vanilla Bean
• Dairy-Free Chocolate Cherry

Still want to enjoy a frozen, creamy treat even during the cooler months of fall? Our pumpkin cinnamon ice cream will delight with the flavors of autumn.

Don’t have an ice cream maker? We are here to teach you how to choose a top rated model so you make the best, most informed decision you can for sweet, frozen deliciousness all summer long. These machines really are time savers!

And if you have a little extra time on your hands while that frozen treat is churning away or firming up in the freezer, there’s no better dessert pairing than a generous slice of pie. Try our cherry version, flavored with a touch of white balsamic vinegar to bring out the tartness of the fruit. It’s an amazing combo.

White Balsamic Cherry Pie – Get the Recipe Now

And if you still have more fruit left over from your pick-your-own adventures, make a batch of flavored cream cheese, or try these homemade maraschinos. These can also be candied, and they make the perfect topping for classic cookies.