Milk Chocolate Ice Cream + Salted Cashew Brittle = Paradise, Literally

As a serious chocolate lover, you might think that milk chocolate is simply beneath you. I know—I practically invented that dismissive glance you are about to aim my way. If you still only like dark chocolate—the more bittersweet, the better—you might be missing something. It’s true that milk chocolate used to be mostly sugar and milk with a hint of not particularly distinguished chocolate, and some of it still is. But, if you are that person who buys the best dark chocolates, loves to taste single origins or special blends for the best producers, including the smaller artisan chocolate makers, you might want to open your mind to better milk chocolates, too.

And better ice cream, too!
And better ice cream, too!
Photo by Julia Gartland

Pass up the usual grocery store offering. Look for milk chocolates labeled 35% to 45% cacao. These contain at least double if not triple the amount of cacao compared with the ordinary bar. They are richer and more chocolaty, and less sweet. You’ll taste the fruity or spicy or nutty notes in the chocolate and the pronounced milk or cream flavors that may vary from fresh dairy to caramel-y, toffee-like, or even dulce de leche. You will be getting more flavor from better cacao, better milk or cream, and less sugar.

The advantage to adding a little milk chocolate to your life? More new tastes and interesting pairings, better triple-chocolate desserts, and more room for creativity in the chocolate kitchen. Better milk chocolate also makes better mousses, frostings, and ice creams, including this luxurious milk chocolate ice cream with salted cashew brittle. I’m in, are you?

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Milk Chocolate Ice Cream with Salted Cashew Brittle

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Alice Medrich

Makes 1 quart

Milk Chocolate Ice Cream

  • 4

    large egg yolks

  • 1/3

    cup (66 grams) sugar

  • 1/4

    teaspoon salt (I use fine sea salt)

  • 1 1/2

    cups whole milk

  • 1 1/2

    cups heavy cream

  • 8

    ounces (225 grams) milk chocolate (preferably at least 38% cacao), finely chopped

Cashew Brittle

  • 1/3

    cup water

  • 3/4

    cup (150 grams) sugar

  • 1/4

    teaspoon (rounded) salt (I use fine sea salt)

  • 1

    rounded cup (150 grams) salted (or spiced or curried) cashews (or peanuts), coarsely chopped

Go to Recipe


(via Food52)

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