Helado de Maíz y Crema (Corn-Crema Ice Cream) Recipe

Updated April 15, 2020

I made a corn-based dessert last week, but it was heavy on hominy to achieve the earthy taste characteristic of the recipe—I didn't truly get to highlight sunny yellow corn's plump, juicy kernels. I took full advantage this past weekend, and, of course, added a Latin touch.

Talking about the weather is terribly dull, but with headline-making heat waves it's tough to ignore the subject entirely. On these raging hot days don't you just want to stick your head in the freezer? And wouldn't it be amazing if there were something cold and creamy in that icebox?

I'll be the first to admit that ice cream making is a drag, but delayed gratification is deliciously rewarding, especially when it involves this luxurious, velvety ice cream made with sweet corn, tangy crema, and an insinuation of cinnamon.

I usually suggest substitutions for crema, but it's worth looking for the real thing for this recipe. Top the ice cream with goat's milk caramel (or regular caramel.)

Note: Step 6 calls for whisking hot liquid into egg yolks to temper them (this process gradually increases the egg yolks' temperature so that once added to the simmering corn mixture they don't curdle). To simplify the process, pour the corn mixture into the yolks with a 2-cup glass measuring cup and anchor your mixing bowl to a work surface by wrapping a damp towel around its base.

Recipe Details

Helado de Maíz y Crema (Corn-Crema Ice Cream) Recipe

Active 60 mins

Total 5 hrs

Serves 8 servings

Makes 1 quart

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Ingredients

6 ears fresh corn, shucked
3 cups crema
1 cup whole milk
1 cup light brown sugar
3 cinnamon sticks
1/4 teaspoon salt
9 large egg yolks

Directions

Freeze ice cream maker insert according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Cut each cob in half crosswise. Stand one piece of cob upright, resting the cut end on a cutting board, pie plate, or large shallow mixing bowl. With a chef’s knife, cut the kernels off, rotating the cob as you go. Reserve the cob. Repeat with remaining cobs.
Combine corn kernels, crema, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, salt, and corn cobs in medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, then, reduce heat to medium low and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let stand 20 minutes.
Remove and discard cobs and cinnamon sticks.
Carefully pour corn mixture into blender (do this in batches if necessary) and puree until smooth. Strain pureed mixture into large bowl. Wipe out saucepan, return mixture to saucepan, and bring back to simmer over medium heat.
Whisk egg yolks in large bowl until smooth. In slow, steady stream, slowly and carefully pour in 2 cups of simmering mixture, whisking continuously (See Notes). Whisk egg yolk mixture into mixture in saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until temperature reaches 170°F, 8 to 10 minutes.
Strain custard into large bowl and cool completely, about 3 hours, in refrigerator, or, place bowl in ice bath and stir until cooled, 10 to 15 minutes. Freeze corn custard in ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Serve.

Special Equipment

Ice cream maker, food processor, medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, blender, candy thermometer, fine-mesh strainer

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
482	Calories
32g	Fat
39g	Carbs
13g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories	482
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g	41%
Saturated Fat 17g	87%
Cholesterol 311mg	104%
Sodium 635mg	28%
Total Carbohydrate 39g	14%
Dietary Fiber 1g	5%
Total Sugars 29g
Protein 13g
Vitamin C 4mg	18%
Calcium 164mg	13%
Iron 2mg	9%
Potassium 365mg	8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.