There are quite a few flavours that I have a peculiar love-hate relationship with and coffee is one of them. When it’s pure, and on its own, I’m not the biggest fan of it but as soon as there’s dark chocolate involved I love it. For some reason, those two flavours compliment each other well, and this home made mocha ice cream is a perfect example for this. It combines the lovely, intense aroma of coffee and the rich, deep flavours of dark chocolate.
While at first glance it might look like sweet chocolate ice cream and kid friendly it’s far from that. This mocha ice cream is a very grown up dessert with a shot of espresso and dark chocolate in it. It’s probably the tastiest way to get your dose of caffeine. I use freshly brewed espresso for this ice cream, but you can just as well use instant espresso.
The chocolate part, however, is something you should splurge on. You need high-quality dark chocolate for this. I used 75% intensity. If you love strong coffee flavours, you can up the intensity of the chocolate. If you are more into the subtle coffee flavour, then I would recommend you half the amount of espresso.
Because this is a very decadent dessert for grownups, you might as well go the extra mile and decorate it with a few generous shavings of dark chocolate and crushed cocoa beans. If you never had cocoa beans you should give them a try; they are delicious but slightly bitter which goes well with the ice cream.
- 2 cans full fat coconut milk*, can size : 400ml (13-15oz)
- 1 tbsp arrow root powder
- 160 g (5.5oz) dark chocolate, 75%
- 50g (1/4 cup) sugar
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) espresso or very strong coffee
- Pour the contents of the coconut milk cans into a saucepan. If it is the first time, you use coconut milk in a can then don’t be alarmed by seeing a thick layer of a rather solid cream and a big part of milky water. That is normal. It happens because the coconut milk separates inside the can. Take a whisk and stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Take about 125 ml (1/2 cup) of the coconut milk out of the pan and set aside in a small bowl. Add the arrow root powder to the small portion of coconut milk in the small bowl. The arrowroot powder will make sure the base thickens once this is added to the bigger pan. Mix until it is perfectly combined and place aside for now.
- Break your chocolate into larger pieces and brew your espresso. Set the espresso aside to cool down.
- Add the sugar and the chocolate pieces to the coconut milk. Gently heat and whisk until chocolate has melted and sugar is fully dissolved. Pour the arrow root powder and coconut mixture into the pot. Increase the heat to medium and keep whisking – don’t leave the pot now. Make sure to whisk it now and then while making sure the temperature is not too high. It is crucial never to let it come to a boil.
- In about 5-7 minutes the arrow root powder will thicken the mixture, and you will be left with a beautiful ice cream base that only needs chilling in the fridge. You will know it is done when you can draw a line with a fingertip on the back of a wooden spoon.
- I chill my ice cream base in a small metal bowl and place a plate on top of it. You will have a small layer of skin forming on the top of the mixture though you can prevent that by stirring it every 10 minutes while it cools down. It is not necessary though because the processing in the ice cream machine usually takes care of it.
- The ice cream base should be fully cooled down before you pour it into your ice cream maker. Add the espresso just before you process your ice cream base. Pour the espresso into the base and whisk until evenly combined. Now all you have to do is follow the instructions of your ice cream machine.
- Once the ice cream is ready, transfer the ice cream into a suitable container and cover it with wax paper**. Leave it in the freezer for another 2 hours. Doing this will give you the perfect ice cream that can be scooped neatly. To serve take it out of the freezer for a few minutes to soften. Scoop it into bowls and serve with cocoa nibs and some grated chocolate or simply on its own.
**Covering the ice cream base with wax paper or baking paper prevents ice crystals from forming on top of it.
*** Nutritional information is based on the products and brands that I use.
This looks so amazing! I’m a huge fan of anything chocolate. I love that there are ony 5 ingredients so it’s easy to make.
Yummy! I bet my daughter is going to love it and thanks for the great recipe D
I have been craving ice cream so much lately! I have never tried to do it myself but reading your recipe, that might change really soon
Absolutely delicious! Ice cream is one of the my biggest weaknesses.. My husband and I enjoy Ice cream dates. Every time we try different flavor ice creams. I will definitely try this recipe.
I don’t even like coffee, but I’d give this a taste because it looks SO good. Plus I love my ice cream.
Oh could I go for the right now. We are in a heat wave and I’m craving ice cream.
Your mocha ice cream with dark chocolate sounds absolutely amazing. I totally love the flavor of dark chocolate in a sweet ice cream.
I have never tried to make my own ice cream before. This looks so delicious and easy to make. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make this recipe on the weekend.
OMG this looks perfect to beat the summer heat. Thanks for the recipe, am surely gonna try this
How fun to put espresso in it. I’d have to indulge AFTER the kids went to bed though. 😉 Looks delicious!
Chocolate ice cream is my all time favorite…Seriously this looks delicious.
I am right there with you about coffee. I don’t drink it, but pair it with ice cream and I’m SO there! This looks so tasty.
I really love the way you talk about foos.. it’s like you and dark chocolate are lovers haha. Great recipe for summer.. Thanks!!
Maybe we are Maze. Maybe we are… hahahha. – Love, G.
This looks sooooo delicious!! Especially with the nuts inside!! I want to try that so badly
Right? =D The nuts make all the difference because their healthy fats make this oh so creamy. – Love, G.
I’m going to need ALL of this ice cream. It looks delicious!
I have always loved coffee flavored ice cream so I;m sure this would taste amazing! Going to have to try this out! Thanks for sharing!!