Description
Enjoy a creamy, unique twist on classic ice cream with this Dr. Pepper Ice Cream recipe. Infused with the rich, spicy flavor of Dr. Pepper soda, combined with a smooth custard base made from heavy cream, milk, and egg yolks, this homemade treat is perfect for soda lovers looking for a refreshing dessert with a fizzy kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Ice Cream Base
- 1 cup Dr. Pepper (preferably regular, not diet)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Custard
- 5 large egg yolks
Instructions
- Warm the base mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the Dr. Pepper, heavy cream, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is warm but not boiling.
- Whisk the egg yolks: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they become slightly pale and creamy, preparing them for tempering.
- Temper the eggs: Slowly pour a small amount of the warm cream mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly to gently warm the eggs and prevent scrambling.
- Combine egg mixture and base: Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining warm cream mixture, whisking constantly to combine.
- Cook to thicken: Continue cooking over low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon, taking care not to let it boil.
- Cool the custard: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the custard to cool to room temperature. Then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to chill thoroughly.
- Churn the ice cream: Once chilled, pour the custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually about 20-25 minutes, until the ice cream is soft and creamy.
- Freeze until firm: Transfer the churned ice cream to a container and freeze for an additional 2-4 hours until it firms up to scoopable consistency.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the Dr. Pepper Ice Cream on its own or paired with chocolate cake or cookies for a delightful treat.
Notes
- Be sure not to use diet Dr. Pepper as it will affect the flavor and texture of the ice cream.
- Tempering the eggs is crucial to avoid curdling and achieve a smooth custard base.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can place the mixture in a shallow container and stir every 30 minutes while freezing to mimic churning.
- For softer ice cream, serve immediately after churning without additional freezing.
- Store leftover ice cream in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
