Author Notes: When my sister and I were thinking of soda fountain creations, our ideas revolved around iconic flavors and colors of the 1950s. After brainstorming the myriad of soda fountain treats, we couldn’t think of a more fitting indulgence than the classic ice cream sundae. We settled on one of our favorite ice cream flavors, peppermint, which also happens to be a lovely shade of Cadillac pink- sure to win the Pink Ladies’ approval.
In keeping with Rizzo’s remarks that pink can never be “too pure,” we’ve brought pink in touch with its devilish side by introducing touches of fudgy darkness: chocolate cookies and sticky, molten swathes of chocolate sauce. . .
This one’s for Frenchy. 😉
– Sydney
—Sydney
Food52 Review:
Candy-striped peppermints might make you think Christmas (and, sure, the consolation prize that comes with your dinner check) — but we think the cooling rush of mint and sweetness is a boon for summertime, especially when you layer it into ice cream: we’re talking cold squared. With dark hot fudge and all the other indulgent garnishes — the crushed peppermints, whipped cream, chocolate cookies and curls — this would win hearts at a kiddie birthday party, or a grown-up one. – A&M —The Editors
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
Pink Peppermint Ice Cream
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2
cups whole milk
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1 1/4
cups heavy cream
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5
large egg yolks
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1/2
cup sugar
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roughly 1/2 cup of chopped peppermint candies (We like King Leo peppermint sticks)
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1
pinch salt
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1
teaspoon peppermint extract (the best quality you can find)
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about 1/3 of a package of chocolate cookies (We like Nabisco’s Famous Chocolate Wafers), roughly broken
Devilish Hot Fudge Sauce
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5
tablespoons heavy cream
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1
tablespoon butter
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2
tablespoons granulated sugar
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2 1/2
tablespoons dark brown sugar
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1
pinch sea salt
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2
tablespoons corn syrup
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1/4
cup Dutch processed cocoa powder
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1 1/2
ounces of chopped dark chocolate (chocolate chips work fine too-about 1/4 cup)
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1
splash pure vanilla extract
Directions
Pink Peppermint Ice Cream
- Heat the milk, cream and peppermint candy in a large pot over medium heat, until the peppermints are dissolved, and the mixture is steamy.
- Meanwhile, beat the egg yolks, sugar and salt in an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment for about five minutes (the yolks should be very thick, pale and glossy).
- When the milk mixture is ready, add a small amount of it to the egg mixture, whisking all the while so as to not scramble the eggs. Add the rest of the liquid gradually as the mixer continues to run, creating a homogenous mixture.
- Pour the mixture back into the pot, and cook slowly over medium heat–stirring constantly–until the mixture registers 170 degrees on a candy thermometer. Whatever you do, do not let the mixture boil.
- As soon as the custard is ready, pour it through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, in order to remove any coagulated egg bits.
- Stir in the peppermint extract, and allow to cool. Chill until very cold, at least four hours.
- Churn in an ice cream maker, according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- During the last minute of churning, gently fold in the broken cookie pieces.
Devilish Hot Fudge Sauce
- Heat the butter and cream to a boil in a small saucepan.
- Add the sugars and corn syrup, stirring constantly.
- Add the cocoa and salt. Stir well.
- Add the chocolate chips and mix until melted.
- Off the heat, add the vanilla extract.
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Sundae time!
Also have ready:
Freshly whipped cream (cream, a spot of confectioner’s sugar and vanilla).
Extra chocolate cookies, for garnish.
Dark chocolate curls, for garnish.
Peppermint sticks, for garnish.
For assembly: Alternate scoops of ice cream with fudge sauce, and broken chocolate cookies. Crown with a cloud of whipped cream, drizzle with a few ribbons of fudge, and sprinkle with an abundance of chocolate curls.
Complete the look by parking a swirly, twirly peppermint stick in the top.
Now try not to inhale . . .
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It's Christmastime! Just kidding. It's 100 degrees out. Good time to bust these out: peppermint extract, dark chocolate, brown sugar, cocoa powder, milk, egg, cream, sugar, salt, a starlight…
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These mints are doomed. Doomed, I say!
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Amanda gets aggressive. The recipe calls for these mints to be chopped, but that wouldn't be nearly as much fun (or therapeutic), would it?
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Peppermint debris.
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Might as well bash up those chocolate cookies now too.
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Ice cream fixins, and the recipe for guidance. Ironic that you have to cook stuff to make ice cream, but it's worth it.
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We fell in love with this pinky golden tone the milk took on as the starlight mints dissolved.
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As the minty milk heats, next door it's time to start beating egg yolks, sugar and salt till they're "very thick, pale and glossy," says Sydney.
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Like this!
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Now we temper. A little hot milk gets whisked into the eggs to heat them gently …
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… then the warmed eggs are whisked back into the hot milk. That's how you temper!
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Don't get cocky! If this gets up to a boil, it will curdle and you'll have to start over. Like we did.
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As the thick and creamy ice cream base sits cooling in its ice water bath, a dose of peppermint extract gets added.
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Nice and thick and no scrambled bits! Into the machine it goes.
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You're done churning when it looks (and tastes) like soft serve. Now you fold in those beaten up chocolate cookie bits, transfer to a new container and freeze through.
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Hot fudge time!
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Butter, cream, white and brown sugars, and corn syrup bubble away while cocoa powder awaits its cue.
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Final touch: some good dark chocolate.
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All whisked together, it's smooth and sinister and ready to pounce on some peppermint ice cream.
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Time to get dressed.
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We don't throw the term 'food porn' around here very often, but come on.
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Stand back, kids.
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The grown-ups get first dibs.
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Dive in!
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