Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Tuesdays with Dorie: Velvety Chocolate Pudding Ice Cream

It's time for Tuesdays with Dorie, so tie up your apron and bake along. Forget the bakery! Make your own treats at home on the cheap and wow your family, friends and neighbors.
This week I made a chilling discovery.....
After having such success eschewing cooked custard recipes for homemade ice cream last week, I wondered if my Tuesdays with Dorie chocolate pudding assignment could morph into a frozen confection. Why not, I asked myself? Pudding is a cooked custard, after all, albeit thickened with cornstarch. I checked in with baking goddess Dorie herself (via email) to see if pudding could possibly churn itself into ice cream. Her response: "I don’t have a clue whether or not you can churn the chocolate pudding in an ice cream maker, but boy does it sound like it could be great if it worked! "
Hmm....it could be great if it worked was all the encouragement that I needed. Still, I started off cautious, careful, practical, and oh yes, frugal. I made a half batch, and I used chocolate chips instead of the good chocolate, just in case it turned out to have the consistency of an icy jello pudding pop that Bill Cosby used to advertise on TV. (I actually did like them-iciness and all.) But it wasn't icy at all! It was luscious, creamy and smooth-"frozen chocolate butter" as Quiet Man described it. "Ooh-is this chocolate gelato?" enquired my unsuspecting sister. Suddenly, I had visions of opening a summer-only ice cream shop on Nantucket, highlighting this sensuous chocolate pudding recipe, and making myself millions of dollars and turning into Prudence Pound Foolish. But then...I'd miss all of you, dear readers, and what would I do with my stock of clipped coupons? So, alas, I deferred another dream and instead share my "chilling" discovery with you. And if any of you open a summer ice cream shop on Nantucket, can I have a free cone? If it's chocolate pudding ice cream, make it a double scoop.
And one last thing-since this ice cream simply "melts" into pudding, it makes a perfect drip-free cone for your little charges.
Velvety Chocolate Pudding Ice Cream-only slightly adapted from Dorie Greenspan
Estimated Cost: $4.00
Notes: I made only a half batch, unsure if it would really work. Next time I'm going to double-no triple-the recipe. I also used a blender, since I don't own a food processor.
2 and 1/4 cup milk (I used 2 percent)
6 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs (Dorie actually calls for 1 egg and 2 egg yolks)
1 scant cup semi sweet chocolate chips (Dorie calls for chopped bittersweet chocolate)
2 tablespoons room temperature butter, cut into 4 pieces
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Bring 2 cups milk and 3 tablespoons sugar to boil in a medium saucepan. While the milk is heating, process cocoa, cornstarch and salt in food processor. Place cocoa mixture on a sheet of waxed paper. Process remaining 3 tablespoons sugar and eggs for one minute. Scrape down the sides and add remaining cool 1/4 cup milk. Add the dry ingredients and blend. Slowly with the machine running, add the hot milk mixture. Transfer back to saucepan, add chocolate chips and butter and whisk until smooth and thickened over medium heat, about two minutes. Whisk in vanilla off the heat. (Dorie puts the mixture back into the processor, but I skipped this step since it would churn smoother in the ice cream maker.)
Cool pudding in refrigerator. Transfer to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions.
Coming Tomorrow:
Roasted "Calabacitas" and Tomatillo Pasta

73 comments:

  1. Too cool Prudy! Love this idea, totally chilling! What a beautiful looking ice cream cone.

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  2. You smart one! It looks just like gelato, your sister is right. You can churn any cooked custard I think. I've churned cooked creme brulée (pureed with an imersion blender) and it's amazing. And something else, if you were in Spain maybe you'll know it: tocino del cielo, this rich egg yolk custard. That's amazing stuff!

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  3. This is very exciting -- and it looks absolutely delicious. Good for you for being so adventurous.

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  4. Wow, what a great idea! Good for you, way to go!

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  5. It looks truly delicious, Prudy. Great thinking!

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  6. You had me at chocolate! I think I stared at the picutres for about 20 minutes and gained 5 lbs. I will definitely try this chocolate dream this weekend. My children will love me again, I just know it!

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  7. That's a great discovery! Icecream, without the cream! I served mine with raspberries too.

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  8. Very creative...am sure it would be a big hit around here, so I will give it a go soon. Thanks for sharing...you are always so creative and fun!

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  9. I've got my ice cream maker already to go for this recipe. The ice cream looks so creamy and rich I may not be able to share it with the family!!

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  10. Are you kidding!?! Your post just made me cry for two reasons:

    1. It was completely inspiring- (ICE CREAM! You are brilliant!)
    2. Pudding Pops! You have totally brought me back to my youth! I could still taste those icy pops right now if I imagined!

    Great post! You have seriously made my morning!

    It looks like you made Dorie proud, too ;)

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  11. Oh my gosh yum! This makes me want an ice cream maker that much more!

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  12. Your ice cream looks delicious! It's 8 am and I am ready for dessert! I have an ice cream maker that I have never used. You have inspired me to get it out. Thanks. My boys will love it!

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  13. Oh wow.
    pudding ice cream.
    I think I've died and gone to envy heaven.
    I think I have to make another batch for ice cream pronto!

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  14. Just when I was slowly getting excited about the pudding, you managed to propel my excitement into the next stage. The ice cream looks amazing!

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  15. Prudy! I must be channeling you in the kitchen! I have been terrified of ice cream since I botched my first batch a few years ago. My poor ice cream maker has made the moves across country but neglected on the shelf. I had success this weekend! I was going to write about it today or tomorrow. Now that I had success, I will DEFINITELY make this chocolate pudding/ice cream. With the absence of all the heavy cream and whole milk, it looks like this is a better, healthier form of chocolate goodness ice cream. Oh, my goodness that looks delish!
    ~The Cat's Pajamas

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  16. Very cool idea--I was thinking pudding pops. Ice cream is even better!

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  17. Brilliant! This ice cream looks so delicious!I've always wanted to try gelato ever since I've seen the movie Charade with Audrey Hepburn in it. That beautiful girl orders a double scoop of chocolate gelato, hardely takes two licks and then smashes it right into Cary Grant! What a waste! That scene always upset me greatly. So even if this is not gelato I'm making it and believe me I'll have more than two licks.

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  18. Great idea to make ice cream, I should have thought of that, so now I must prepare a second batch!

    Ulrike from Küchenlatein

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  19. This looks so good! I was seriosly close to licking my computer scrren, to see if i could detect any small trace of your chocolate pudding ice cream! It seems like it should work! what a great idea you had! And evidently, Dorie thought so too!!!

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  20. I'm definitely going to have to make more - just so I can turn it into ice cream! Great idea!

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  21. Another reason why I need an ice cream maker! Yum!

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  22. Way to turn a "comfort" dessert into a "summery" treat! It looks delicious!

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  23. What a great idea to turn it into ice cream. I bet it was fabulous!

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  24. wow you are so innovative, i love it! that last shot with the berries is so cute. fab idea.

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  25. What a great idea! I love the picture of the cone against the polka dot background, so pretty!

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  26. WOW! That looks fabulous! This is why I love reading your blog. You have the best ideas!

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  27. Awesome idea - I love it! :)

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  28. Oh wow, that looks absolutely delicious! I've got to get me an ice cream maker so I can create something as yummy!

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  29. Brilliant! Pudding pops! Ice cream! Chocolate! I think I'm going to swoon!

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  30. I ended up doing half as pudding and half pudding pops too! That ice cream looks seriously fantastic! You are brilliant!

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  31. I need that happy stuff NOW! You are a genius! What a brillant idea and so much more fun and summery. I loved your pics, too.

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  32. you are a baking genius :) it looks so gorgeous and delicious!

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  33. Oh my goodness! I think I might be in heaven just looking at that ice cream. I loved pudding pops and I can just imagine how delicious your ice cream turned out! Great idea!

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  34. how creative! now if only i had an ice cream maker...

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  35. dude seriously i want to marry you right now. what phenomenal idea! i HAVE to buy an ice cream maker. NOW!

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  36. Oh, oh! A Dorie comment!

    That's so cool that you emailed her. Good idea on turning this into ice cream.

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  37. how cool is that?? so smart of you to think of that! And Dorie now knows how cool SHE is too! (as if she didn't already!)

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  38. Chocolate pudding and ice cream in the same dessert? Bless you.

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  39. yum--frozen custard is delicious, so i bet frozen chocolate pudding is double-delicious!

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  40. Nice going! Experiments are always best when they work out fabulously. And served cold.

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  41. Prudy- that looks so great! I can't believe you emailed Dorie and she even commented. I'm so jealous!

    I would totally go to your ice cream shop... yum!

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  42. Ok, now that sounds really really (REALLY) good. Awesome idea!

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  43. I love your photos...your the best! Ya Im sure my kitchen has seen better days after my pudding mess. It was fun though!

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  44. Chocolate pudding ice cream is a great idea! It looks really good.

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  45. Chocolate pudding ice cream? I'm so there! Great job!

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  46. Oh that looks brilliant! Especially with the raspberries.

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  47. We've been making lots of ice cream around here, too. The pudding didn't last long enough for any to make it to the freezer, though. =) Yours looks delicious, especially with the raspberries.

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  48. Oh that is too cool! Chocolate pudding ice cream. I have to try to make some now! Great job!
    Clara @ iheartfood4thought

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  49. You've outdone yourself Prudy! Clever, very clever. Your pictures look lovely!

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  50. Mmmm, you're so creative! thanks for the inspiration, might have to try that someday.

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  51. Tremendous idea (and the raspberries are a nice touch)! An ice cream maker is going to be a purchase in the near future, I think! Until then, I'm just going to let my taste buds dream of what pudding ice cream tastes like.

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  52. OMGoodness! How yummy and perfect for summer! You are brilliant and now I am going to have to make this again just so that I can make the pudding into ice cream. The pictures are beautiful as always too. =D

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  53. Erin, that is a fantastic idea!!! I am sitting here thinking why didn't I think of that!! Well done you!

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  54. Oh, my goodness......frozen chocolate pudding....my hero! Sigh! Looks delicious!

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  55. Oh goodness. I am a freak for homemade ice cream. Fantastic idea. Hmmm..might work nicely also with butterscotch pudding?? Not to mention tapioca! (Yeah, I know I'm weird for loving tapioca...).

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  56. What a fabulous idea! I've been thinking for some time now that an ice cream maker would be a nice thing to have.

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  57. i have been in the homemade ice cream mode lately and cannot wait to try this one. it looks so very luscious. once again, prudy's innovations improve upon greatness!

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  58. Looks fantastic! You are so the smarty! Freeze pudding. Genius. Is there anything you can't do?

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  59. You know me and the ice cream--I am going to have to try this too. Darn you woman--stop the madness!!!! ;-)

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  60. Your idea was great and that must have made you feel wonderful to get the thumbs up from Dorie to give it a shot. I am going to try to make this myself now and see how the troops in the house like it. Your presentation is so nice and I look forward to your post next week!

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  61. I was so excited to make this ice cream. But as I set my pudding to cool in the fridge, I realized that my butter and vanilla were still sitting on my counter. When were they supposed to go into the recipe?

    The directions were confusing.

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  62. Jen H:
    You are absolutely right and I apologize! The butter and vanilla were to be whisked in last of all. Please forgive my grave error. I hope that your ice cream was still a success. I vow to be a better proof reader in the future! I'm fixing the recipe right now.

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  63. The ice cream tastes great even without the butter and vanilla.

    Jen H.

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  64. Jen H:
    I'm SOOOOO glad you wrote back. I've been worried all day that your ice cream didn't turn out due to my error. I would have offered to pay for all of your ingredients. That's the one kind of thing that would have driven me mad if I would have wasted money on some one else's recipes. NOW that I know that it works with out butter, bye bye extra fat and calories. I'm making it your way next time. Besides, vanilla is always so subtle when you're dealing with chocolate. Might as well save a few pennies. Thanks sooo much for writing back. Now I can sleep tonight. :)

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  65. wow, i want some!!! great adaptation of the recipe :)

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  66. I made this for a youth (YW) activity last week. The girls loved it and I was thrilled. I came home and was raving to my husband about how delicious it was. He congratulated me and then after a few minutes said, "So, where is this chocolate ice cream?" Unfortunately, the girls and I ate it all. Great excuse to make more!

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  67. Best ice cream I ever made :-) Even my husband, who is not a chocolate ice cream lover, thought it was delicious.
    This one is going to become a standard here.
    Thanks!

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  68. I ended up doing half as pudding and half pudding pops too! That ice cream looks seriously fantastic! You are brilliant!

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