Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Recipe

Will any Ice Cream Work for Popsicles?

Yes, homemade ice cream can work in a similar way for making popsicles. Just make sure your homemade ice cream has a smooth and creamy texture. You can mix in ingredients like cookies, fruit, or other flavorings just like in the cheesecake popsicle recipe. The key is to ensure the ice cream is firm enough to hold its shape on a stick when frozen. If your homemade ice cream is soft, you may need to freeze it longer before dipping it in any coatings.

I offer a wide range of flavors you can choose from, including bourbon caramel ice cream, chocolate ice cream, cinnamon and honey ice cream, and even eggnog ice cream.

Home Made VS Store Bought Ice Cream

Homemade ice cream lets you add a personal touch that you don't get from store-bought versions. When you make ice cream at home, you get to pick fresh, high-quality ingredients and skip the preservatives and artificial flavors found in many commercial brands. Plus, you can experiment with different flavors, adjust the sweetness, and add your favorite mix-ins to create a treat that’s just right for you.

On the other hand, store-bought ice cream is convenient and comes in a wide variety of flavors. However, it often contains stabilizers and emulsifiers to keep the texture smooth and extend shelf life, which can affect the taste and nutritional value.

While some premium brands taste great, they can be expensive compared to homemade. In the end, making ice cream at home is fun and rewarding, giving you a fresher, more customizable treat.

Ingredients in Cookies and Cream Ice Cream

• Oreos: These cookies add a crunchy texture and chocolate flavor to the ice cream. You can use either chocolate-coated or plain Oreos based on your preference.
• Heavy Cream: This ingredient provides the rich, creamy base for the ice cream, giving it a smooth texture.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This adds sweetness and helps achieve a creamy consistency without the need for an ice cream maker.
• Chocolate: Used in both the magic shell and chocolate sauce, it adds a rich, chocolaty flavor and a satisfying crunch when hardened.
• Vegetable Oil or Coconut Oil: This ingredient is mixed with the chocolate for the magic shell, helping it to harden quickly when it hits the cold ice cream.
• Crushed Oreos: These are used as a garnish, adding extra crunch and a visually appealing finish to the ice cream.

How to Make Cookies and Cream Ice Cream

Preparing the Cookies and Cream Ice Cream

1. Chop the Oreos: Begin by chopping the Oreos into small pieces. You can use a knife or a food processor. Aim for uniform pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the ice cream. If you prefer a chunkier texture, chop the cookies coarsely; for a smoother texture, chop them finely.

2. Prepare the Ice Cream Base: In a large mixing bowl, pour in the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to start whipping the mixture. This initial whipping will begin to increase the volume and incorporate air.

After a few minutes, increase the mixer speed to high. Continue whipping the mixture until it becomes thick and its volume increases by about one-third. This process typically takes several minutes and is crucial for achieving a light and airy ice cream texture.

3. Add the Cookies: Once the cream mixture is whipped, gently fold in the chopped Oreos using a silicone spatula. Folding ensures you don’t deflate the whipped mixture. Continue folding until the cookie pieces are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

4. Freeze the Ice Cream: Spoon the ice cream mixture into small plastic cups. For an added treat, you can insert a popsicle stick into the center of each cup, creating an easy-to-hold ice cream pop.

Place the cups in the freezer. Let them freeze overnight to allow the ice cream to set properly and achieve the right consistency.

Magic Shell and Chocolate Sauce

5. Make the Magic Shell: In a microwave-safe jug, melt the chocolate. Use short intervals (about 30 seconds), stirring after each interval until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted.

Once the chocolate is melted, add the vegetable oil or coconut oil. Stir thoroughly to combine. The oil will help the chocolate harden quickly when it comes in contact with the cold ice cream, creating a crispy shell.

6. Prepare the Chocolate Sauce: In a microwave-safe jug, combine the chocolate and heavy cream. Microwave in short intervals (about 20 seconds), stirring after each interval until the mixture is completely smooth and well-blended. This sauce can be drizzled over the ice cream for an extra layer of flavor.

Assemble and Serve

7. Assemble the Ice Cream: Take the ice cream cups out of the freezer. To easily release the ice cream from the plastic cups, briefly dip the plastic cups in hot water. This should loosen the ice cream enough to slide out.

Remove the ice cream from the plastic cups. Hold each ice cream pop and dip it halfway into the melted chocolate, allowing the excess chocolate to drip off.

Quickly sprinkle the dipped part with crushed Oreos before the chocolate sets. The chocolate will harden almost instantly, creating a crunchy shell with cookie bits embedded in it.

8. Serve the Ice Cream: If serving the ice cream in the mini cups, drizzle with the prepared chocolate sauce before enjoying. The sauce adds an extra rich and creamy layer to the already delicious ice cream.

Fay's Top Tips

One crucial tip is to whip the cream properly. Whipping the cream until it thickens and increases in volume is essential for a light and airy texture. Using an electric mixer on high speed for several minutes ensures a smooth, creamy final product.

Another important tip is handling the chocolate for the magic shell. Melt the chocolate in short intervals, stirring well between each to prevent burning. Adding vegetable oil or coconut oil helps achieve a smooth, hard shell that sets quickly when it touches the cold ice cream, enhancing the overall texture.

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Variations

Mint Cookies and Cream: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the ice cream base before whipping. Use mint-flavored chocolate cookies for an extra minty touch.

Peanut Butter Cookies and Cream: Swirl in a few tablespoons of creamy peanut butter to the ice cream base before folding in the chopped cookies. Use peanut butter cookies instead of Oreos.

Double Chocolate Cookies and Cream: Mix in a handful of mini chocolate chips or chunks into the ice cream base along with the chopped cookies. Use chocolate sandwich cookies for a richer chocolate flavor.

Strawberry Cookies and Cream: Fold in finely chopped fresh strawberries along with the chopped cookies for a fruity twist. Use vanilla cream-filled cookies for a complementary flavor.

Coffee Cookies and Cream: Dissolve a teaspoon of instant coffee granules in a tablespoon of hot water and mix into the ice cream base before whipping. Use mocha-flavored cookies to enhance the coffee flavor.

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