Sweet corn in ice cream? With chipotle chili and a walnut brittle on top? The corn kernels go into cream with sugar and vanilla, steep until the flavour infuses the base, then everything gets strained and churned with a pinch of ground chipotle. The heat is a low hum, not a burn.
The walnut brittle is made separately: walnuts toasted in sugar and butter with more chipotle and a pinch of kosher salt. You break it into shards and scatter them over each scoop. Sweet, hot, crunchy, cold.
Tips for Making Sweet Corn Chipotle Ice Cream
Steep the corn in the cream
Fresh corn kernels from two ears go into the cream with sugar and vanilla. Heat gently and let them steep. The corn flavour transfers into the fat. 
Strain out the kernels before churning. Any bits left behind create an uneven texture in the finished ice cream.
Make the brittle while the base chills
The walnut brittle cools quickly. Toast the walnuts in sugar and butter, add chipotle and salt, and spread on a baking sheet.
Break it into small pieces once cooled. Larger shards look good on top of a scoop. Store any extra in an airtight container.
Sweet Corn and Chipotle Chili Ice Cream with Walnut Chili Brittle
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Sweet corns summery goodness shines in this unique ice cream.
Spicy chili brittle adds a delightful crunch and warmth.
Ingredients
- 2 ears of sweet white corn
- 2 cups (473 ml) cream
- 2 cups (473 ml) milk
- 3/4 cups (177 ml) sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp ground chipotle chili
- 2 cups (473 ml) walnut halves
- 1/4 cups (59 ml) sugar
- 3 Tbs unsalted butter
- chipotle chili to taste
- a pinch of Kosher salt
Instructions
- Shuck, wash, and remove the kernels from two ears of corn. Set them aside.
- Pour 2 cups of cream into a large pot.
- Add 2 teaspoons of good quality vanilla.
- Add 3/4 cup of sugar.
- Bring the cream, sugar, and vanilla to a low simmer.
- When the mixture starts to simmer, add the corn kernels.
- Let the corn simmer for 3-4 minutes, until slightly tender.
- Remove from heat and add 2 cups of milk.
- Add the ground chipotle chili slowly and in small amounts, allowing the heat to develop to your desired level.
- Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight to allow the flavors to mellow.
- Check the heat level before churning in the ice cream machine.
- Pour the mixture into your ice cream machine and churn until ready.
- Scoop the ice cream into a freezer-safe container.
- Add 3 tablespoons of butter to a skillet and melt.
- Add 1/4 cup of sugar and stir until melted.
- When the caramel thickens, add 1/4 cup of nuts and 1/4 teaspoon of Kashmiri chili.
- Stir; if it thickens too much, return to heat to soften.
- Pour onto a heatproof plate or silicone mat, sprinkle with sea salt, and let cool and harden.
- Chop the nut brittle before serving.
Notes
- For a smoother ice cream, strain the corn mixture through a fine-mesh sieve after simmering.
- Adjust the amount of chipotle chili to your preference; start with less and add more for increased heat.
- Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks; the brittle can be stored separately in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churning
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 40
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 50
Frequently Asked Questions
How much chipotle should I use?
Start with 1/8 teaspoon in the ice cream base. You can go up to 1/4 teaspoon if you want more heat. The chipotle is smoky and builds slowly, so taste the base before churning.
Can I use frozen corn?
Fresh sweet corn gives a brighter flavour, but thawed frozen corn works. Use about one cup of kernels if not using ears. The steeping time is the same.
Does the brittle stay crunchy on the ice cream?
For about ten minutes. After that, the ice cream softens the brittle. Serve the brittle on the side or add it right before eating for maximum crunch.
We churned this last night and it is hands down the corn ice cream I wish my old culinary class had landed on, because the low chipotle hum and that walnut brittle scattered on top blew the whole savory-sweet idea wide open. I have been sneaking spoonfuls straight from the container ever since. Cannot stop!
Walnut chili brittle by the HANDFUL, yes please!
Churned a small batch this afternoon and sweet, hot, crunchy, cold really does all happen in one scoop. So delicious!!
Sweet corn in ice cream is exactly the kind of weird I am completely here for, and adding a low chipotle hum with a walnut brittle on top pushes it somewhere I did not even know I wanted to go. How much heat does a single pinch of ground chipotle actually bring?
Not too much Phyllis, its less of the spiciness and more of the smoky earthy notes tbh. But feel free to experiment with your comfort level!!