Horchata Ice Cream Recipe

By Max Falkowitz
Updated Apr. 15, 2020
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Photograph: Max Falkowitz

This ice cream is especially creamy thanks to the rice starch that infuses into the base. It's worth the effort to seek out canela, Mexican or "true" cinnamon, which has a gentler, fruitier flavor than more common cassia bark. Canela can be identified by its matte tan color, thin, papery bark, and citrusy aroma. More about it here.

Recipe Facts

4

(2)

Active: 45 mins
Total: 14 hrs
Serves: 6 servings
Makes: 3 cups

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup roasted, unsalted almonds

  • 1/2 cup long-grain rice

  • One 3-inch long cinnamon stick (canela; see note)

  • 4 cups half-and-half

  • 5 large egg yolks

  • 3/4 cup sugar

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a heavy medium saucepan, toast almonds, rice, and cinnamon on high heat, tossing frequently, until almonds begin to smell aromatic, 2 to 3 minutes. Add half and half, stir to combine, and bring to a bare simmer. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for two hours.

  2. In a second saucepan, whisk together sugar and egg yolks until well combined and slightly thickened.

  3. Using a fine mesh strainer or a couple layers of cheesecloth, strain dairy mixture into a large measuring cup or bowl. Press down firmly on rice with a wooden spoon to release as much dairy and rice starch as possible. Strained dairy should yield about 2 1/2 cups. Discard rice and almonds.

  4. Transfer strained dairy to saucepan with egg yolks and sugar and whisk until very well combined. Put saucepan on medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until a custard forms on the back of a spoon and a swiped finger leaves a clean line. Stir in vanilla, then salt to taste.

  5. Pour custard through a fine mesh strainer into an airtight container and chill overnight. The next day, churn according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer ice cream to container and chill in freezer for at least 3 to 4 hours before serving.

Special equipment

ice cream maker, cheese cloth (optional)

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
366 Calories
22g Fat
33g Carbs
11g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 366
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Cholesterol 242mg 81%
Sodium 317mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 32g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 1mg 7%
Calcium 202mg 16%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 276mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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