Cheddar Ice Cream for Apple Pie

Cheddar Ice Cream for Apple Pie
  • Yield:Makes 1 pint
  • Active time:45 minutes
  • Total time:4 hours to overnight

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Some folks take their apple pie with ice cream. Others demand a sharp cheese, like cheddar. How do you make everyone happy? With this ultra-sharp, ultra-cheesy cheddar ice cream. It's best eaten with apple pie, where its rich, cheesy bite cuts the fruit's sweetness for a compound dessert that becomes greater than the sum of its parts. But stick to pie; this ice cream isn't meant to be eaten on its own.

Why this recipe works:

  • This ice cream is loaded with cheese for a genuine cheddar flavor.
  • Blending cheese into ice cream turns it soft and creamy, superior to the leathery, oily texture cheddar takes on when melted over pie.

Note: You can substitute half-and-half for the cream and milk in this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream (see note above)
  • 3/4 cup whole milk (see note above)
  • 3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • Kosher salt

Directions

  1. 1.

    In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until well combined. Whisk in cream and milk until yolk mixture is fully incorporated.

  2. 2.

    Place pot over medium-low heat and cook, whisking frequently, until a custard forms on a spoon and a finger swiped across the back leaves a clean line, or until custard temperature reaches 170°F.

  3. 3.

    Remove from heat and add cheddar. Let sit 1 minute, then whisk to combine. Use an immersion blender, or carefully transfer custard to a stand-alone blender, and blend until completely smooth, about 30 seconds. Add salt to taste, starting with a small pinch (seasoning will depend on saltiness of cheese).

  4. 4.

    Pour custard through a fine mesh strainer into an airtight container and chill in an ice bath or refrigerator until temperature drops to 40°F, about 2 hours for ice bath, up to overnight for refrigerator. As base chills, it might separate slightly or form a skin. If so, wait until it's completely chilled, then blend until smooth.

  5. 5.

    Churn ice cream according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to an airtight container and harden in freezer for at least 4 hours before serving atop apple pie in small scoops.