She Strengthens

Peppered Perfection: A Creamy Ice Cream Recipe

Smooth, Creamy, and Surprisingly Spicy

Get ready to indulge in a unique and tantalizing ice cream flavor that will leave you wanting more. This peppery treat, inspired by Chika Tillman of ChikaLicious Dessert Bar in New York City, combines the richness of a classic custard base with the unexpected kick of black or pink peppercorns.

The Perfect Base

To create this culinary masterpiece, you’ll need a few essential ingredients, including heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, crushed peppercorns, and egg yolks. Yes, you read that right – peppercorns! The result is a velvety-smooth dessert that’s both familiar and excitingly new.

Equipment Essentials

Before you begin, make sure you have an ice cream maker with a 2-quart capacity. We recommend the stand mixer ice cream attachment from KitchenAid for effortless churning.

Game Plan

To ensure success, follow these simple steps:

1. Freeze Your Insert: If your ice cream maker has a freezer insert, make sure it’s completely frozen before starting.
2. Steep, Simmer, and Strain: Heat the cream mixture, let it steep, and then strain it to remove the peppercorns.
3. Temper and Thicken: Temper the hot mixture into the eggs, and then cook until the custard base thickens.

The Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon whole black or pink peppercorns, crushed
• 8 egg yolks

Instructions:

1. Heat and Steep: Heat the cream mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let steep for 20 minutes.
2. Beat and Temper: Beat the egg yolks in a separate bowl, then temper the hot mixture into the eggs in a thin stream, whisking constantly.
3. Strain and Thicken: Strain the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the custard base thickens.
4. Chill and Freeze: Cool the custard in an ice bath, then freeze it in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The Result

After a night in the freezer, you’ll be rewarded with a creamy, dreamy ice cream that’s sure to impress. Enjoy!