Chocolate Chili Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

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A rich and intense chocolate chili ice cream that perfectly balances decadent chocolate and the slow spice of chili. The perfect ice cream to impress that special someone <3 (or yourself because why share something so good?)

Ah, Valentine's Day. The day of love ...and intense stress while you try to figure out your plans for the evening. Seriously, it's on the same day each year, yet I have no idea how I keep forgetting to prepare something nice Every. Single. Time. Anyone there with me? Anyone? Anyway, in my opinion, nothing says love like a good home-cooked meal and a quiet evening alone, so my fiancee and I would always spend our Valentine's Day at home. One year, we tried this incredibly rich and spicy cake. I wasn't expecting it, but found the contrast to be exhilarating. Lately I've been on an ice cream craze, so I decided to translate that cake into ice cream form.

What is so great about this chocolate chili ice cream is that it starts off rich and chocolate-y. It has the perfect fudgy texture that keeps you wanting more...and it's not until later that the spice slowly starts to make an entrance. That slow heat is what really sets this ice cream apart. It is so good. So. Good.

I wanted the chocolate chili ice cream to be as rich and chocolate-y as possible, so I had to search for the best chocolate in my area. I found some nice Dutch processed cocoa and 75% dark chocolate. You do not have to go to such lengths though (unless you like the adventure), as I tried this recipe with semi-sweet chocolate chips and regular cocoa powder with equally delicious results. That may be a better option if you do not like dark chocolate (normally, I am not much of a dark chocolate person either, but it just works for me with this recipe).

A couple of notes on the chocolate chili ice cream

For the chili, I was not too sure what I wanted to do, but when I saw dried Aleppo peppers, I thought that they would be a good place to start, as they are more widely available and can be tailored to the heat you desire.When I first made this chocolate chili ice cream, I ground my peppers into a very fine powder and added it to the ice cream. Now, after making a lot of ice cream, I've changed my method to infuse the peppers into the milk. This helps to better permeate the heat throughout the ice cream without risking having any large bits of chili.

Guess what? I didn't use an ice cream maker here! You don't need one to make a delicious ice cream. Here is a quick guide on how to make an ice cream without an ice cream maker.

Don't have time to make this frosty, spicy treat now? Pin it for later!

Recipe Card

Chocolate Chili Ice Cream Recipe (4)

Chocolate Chili Ice Cream Recipe

Amanda Powell

A rich and intense chocolate chili ice cream that perfectly balances decadent chocolate and the slow spice of chili. The perfect ice cream to impress that special someone <3 (or yourself because why share something so good?)

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 cups 480 mL heavy or whipping cream, divided
  • 1 cup 240 mL whole milk
  • 2 dried chilis split in half, seeds retained
  • 1 cup 200 g sugar, granulated
  • pinch of salt
  • 4 tablespoons Dutch processed cocoa
  • 6 - 7 ounces 180-200 g dark or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized pot, slowly bring half the cream and cocoa powder to a boil, thoroughly incorporating the cocoa powder.

  • Once the cream has reached a boil, remove from heat.

  • Add the chocolate chips and stir until everything is smooth and creamy. Mix in the remaining cream. Set aside.

  • In another medium pot, mix the sugar, salt, milk, and chilies. Heat to a very low simmer.

  • Put the egg yolks in a small bowl and lightly beat until it is a smooth consistency. Add some of the milk and sugar mixture in the yolk, one cup at a time to slowly raise the temperature of the yolks. After about half of the milk mixture is incorporated in the yolks, add the yolks to the milk mixture, getting as much of the yolk in the pot as possible.

  • Using a wooden spoon, heat the milk and egg mixture on medium heat stirring constantly to create a custard. Occasionally scrap the sides and bottoms of the pot to prevent the custard from sticking. The custard is ready when a thick coat of custard coats the back of the spoon.

  • Place a strainer over the chocolate mix and slowly strain the custard into the chocolate to separate the chili and any egg that may have cooked. Mix until everything is a uniform chocolate color. Add in the vanilla and mix.

  • Cool the chocolate in the refrigerator or in an ice bath. You can make an ice bath by filling a larger pot with ice and cold water. Place the chocolate in the pot without completely immersing the pot.

  • Put the chocolate in your ice cream maker and and follow the manufacturer directions. Take the ice cream out and freeze in an airtight container for another 3 - 4 hours or overnight. If you prefer soft serve ice cream, enjoy immediately.

  • *If you do not have an ice cream maker, put the chilled chocolate in a container and place in the freezer. Mix the ice cream every 30 minutes, breaking up all the frozen pieces. If possible, use a hand mixer or immersion blender. Repeat for 4 hours, then let the ice cream freeze completely for another 4 hours or overnight.

Tried this recipe?Tag me on Instagram! @acookienameddesire #acookienameddesire

More Ice Cream Recipes

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  • Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
  • Churro Ice Cream Sandwich
  • Sugar Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

About Amanda Powell

Baker, photographer, and sometimes world traveler behind A Cookie Named Desire. Obsessed with helping people live life sweetly with delicious food to share with the special people in your life and creating lasting memories.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anne says

    This is such a rich and wonderful chocolate ice cream recipe. It was creamy and that heat of chili gave it an exotic feel. I did make a couple small changes though. I added about 1/4 cup of high quality red chili powder to the chocolate mix. Adds a wonderful layer. Also cut up a couple jalapenos to infuse with the red chili in the vanilla pudding. I would recommend this recipe to anyone looking for something different and wonderful. Very easy to follow and you cannot beat the results!Chocolate Chili Ice Cream Recipe (9)

    Reply

  2. Clare says

    There are two mentions of adding REMAINING cream in the instructions. Is it added to the chocolate mixture as stated instruction 3....... OR.... is it added as in instruction 4 ?

    Reply

    • Amanda says

      It is added with the chocolate!

      Reply

  3. christian domingo says

    I have an existing ice cream house here in the philippines ...we are scooping ready made/commercialize ice cream...but some of our costumers were suggesting us to also offer chili ice cream...how can we do it with our existing business? What will we do? Do we need just to mix chilli powder on our ice cream? Any suggestion. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Amanda says

      I use dried chili that I ground myself for different texture and more depth of flavor. I would suggest about 1 tablespoon of chili per quart of ice cream for a medium-hot heat that lasts without burning anyone's tongue!

      Reply

  4. Rex says

    I just tried this recipe and it is so amazing. Love!

    Reply

  5. Alyssa D says

    Hey from Arts & Crackers! Ooh I'm saving this recipe! I love chocolate with a kick. I have an ice cream maker, but I'd rather not grab it out so this is perfect!

    Reply

  6. Tara says

    This looks delicious! And perfect for a spicy Valentine's Day treat. 🙂

    Reply

  7. Zakkiya Hamza says

    Wow . Love the food styling. Though I am a foodie at heart I am absolutely hopeless at cooking. This one looks like a must try though 🙂

    Reply

  8. C.D. Beatrice Clay says

    This looks divine! I need an ice cream maker in my life before summer hits the east coast. So glad I found your blog via SITSgirl today. Now excuse me while I PIN PIN PIN!

    Reply

    • Amanda says

      Believe it or not but I made this without an ice cream maker! It's pretty simple, albeit time consuming.

      Reply

  9. Patty Martinez says

    This sounds amazing! I love spicy food.

    Reply

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Chocolate Chili Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient to ice cream? ›

The cream cheese helps create an ice cream with a denser, smoother texture. As explained by TASTE, cream cheese acts as a stabilizer in ice cream, preventing water from seeping out of the milk and cream as well as preventing the formation of ice crystals that detract from ice cream's creaminess.

What does adding cocoa powder to chili do? ›

What does cocoa powder do for chili? Cocoa powder adds a rich depth of flavor to chili. There isn't a prominent chocolate taste, just extra deliciousness from something that you can't quite pinpoint. Use unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder so it doesn't make the finished dish sweet.

What does adding chocolate to chili do? ›

It adds richness, deeper flavor, and umami. In vegetarian or vegan recipes where there is no meat, unsweetened chocolate can be an especially important way to add that depth. The chocolate makes the ground chiles and other spices perk up and taste more like themselves.

How to make ice cream at home in 10 minutes? ›

Step 1In a small resealable plastic bag, combine half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Push out excess air and seal. Step 2Into a large resealable plastic bag, combine ice and salt. Place small bag inside the bigger bag and shake vigorously, 7 to 10 minutes, until ice cream has hardened.

What makes the creamiest ice cream? ›

As you churn ice cream, individual water molecules turn into ice-crystal seeds — which is what makes cream freeze. The higher the fat content, the more time you have to churn before these ice crystals congregate, resulting in creamier final texture.

What are the 3 most important ingredients of ice cream? ›

If you have ever made ice cream, you already know what goes into it, ingredients such as milk, cream, and sugar. But there is one main ingredient that you may not have thought about, probably because you can't see it—air.

What is chocolate chilli called? ›

The Chocolate Habanero pepper is a cultivar of the habanero chili, which has been selectively bred to produce spicier, heavier, and larger fruit, ultimately more potent than its derivative. Chocolate Habanero. A Chocolate habanero. Species. Capsicum chinense.

What state puts chocolate in chili? ›

Cincinnati-Style Chili

While the stew also relied on cumin, beef, and some chile pepper, the brothers added ingredients that were more at home in a Mediterranean kitchen, like paprika and allspice, as well as the style's distinctive combo of cinnamon and chocolate.

Is chilli chocolate good for you? ›

The Health Benefits of Spicy Chocolate

Rich in polyphenols, antioxidants known for their health-promoting properties. Polyphenols aid in reducing inflammation, supporting circulation, and improving cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

How do you keep homemade ice cream from melting so fast? ›

Use airtight containers: Air is one of the biggest culprits of ice cream melting quickly. Store your ice cream in an airtight container to prevent air from getting in and melting your treat. Use a freezer bag: If you don't have an airtight container, a freezer bag can also do the trick.

What is the number one ingredient in ice cream? ›

Of course, the main ingredients in ice cream come from milk–and the most important part of that is milkfat, which gives ice cream its smoothness and creamy texture. In fact, in order to be called ice cream, the USDA requires it to contain at least 10 percent milkfat, which can come from milk or cream.

What adds creaminess to ice cream? ›

Liquid sugars like invert sugar, corn syrup, honey, and glucose syrup all add body, creaminess, and stability to ice cream, and a little goes a long way.

What is so delicious ice cream made of? ›

Filtered Water, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Sunflower Oil, Rice Starch, Pea Protein, Sea Salt, Guar Gum, Natural Flavor, Vanilla Bean Specks, Locust Bean Gum, Vanilla Extract, Annatto Extract (For Color).

What ingredient keeps ice cream from melting? ›

Common stabilizers include gelatin, carrageenan, and guar gum, which can help slow down the melting process by binding water molecules and preventing them from separating from the ice cream mixture.

References

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