Beer Caramel Ice Cream Recipe

By Max Falkowitz
Updated April 15, 2020
20110824-167109-beer-caramel-ice-cream.jpg
Photograph: Max Falkowitz

Really good caramel ice cream comes from playing chicken with your sugar. Don't let it intimidate you while melting it; the sugar should be the color of dark stained wood. I let it smoke, then slowly count to 3 before plunging in butter and cream. Those last three seconds are where those beautiful smoky flavors develop.

Because of all the beer, this will be lighter than many other caramel ice creams. You can try cooking down the beer to cut down the water content, but I don't recommend it. Prolonged heat damages the subtle flavors of something like a pale ale, and those flavors are exactly what you want to pair with the caramel.

Recipe Details

Beer Caramel Ice Cream Recipe

Active 30 mins
Total 11 hrs
Serves 8 to 10 servings
Makes 1 quart
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 8 ounces pale ale
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste

Directions

  1. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat sugar, moistened with two tablespoons of water, on high. Let sugar melt, bubble, and caramelize undisturbed until it reaches a rich, dark amber, rotating the pan to avoid hot spots. Let sugar smoke for 3 seconds, then quickly stir in butter and turn heat to low.

  2. When butter is fully incorporated, slowly stir in cream and milk. Sugar will steam and bubble. If sugar seizes, stir on low heat and it will dissolve completely into dairy.

  3. In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks until very well combined. Add about 2/3 cup dairy mixture to yolks one ladle at a time, whisking constantly, then whisk yolk mixture back into saucepan. Cook on low heat, stirring frequently, until custard thickens to coat the back of a spoon and a swiped finger leaves a clean line.

  4. Remove from heat and stir in beer, then add salt in small increments to taste. Custard is well-salted when it has a distinctly sharp flavor, not just burnt sweetness. Strain into a container and chill overnight. The next day, churn according to manufacturer's instructions. Return ice cream to freezer for at least 2 hours so it can firm up.

Special equipment

ice cream machine

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