Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Sweet Corn Ice Cream with Caramel-Candied Bacon


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Chris Cockren, adapted from Iron Chef Michael Symon
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 mins
  • Yield: 1 quart 1x

Description

Caramel-candied bacon — need we say more? How about: Homemade ice cream?


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 ½ cup whole milk
  • 4 ears corn, kernels removed and cobs reserved
  • 1 vanilla bean, split in ½
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

For the Caramel-Candied Bacon

  • 1 cup diced bacon
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • Popcorn, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup of the heavy cream, milk, corn cobs and kernels, and a pinch of salt. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla beans into the milk mixture and add the bean as well. Bring mixture to a scald (just under when it starts to bubble), being careful to not curdle the cream. Remove pan from heat, cover, and let mixture steep for about 30 minutes.
  2. Towards the end of that 30 minutes, in a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks with the sugar, until it reaches a creamy, golden consistency.
  3. Strain the corn mixture and discard the kernels, cobs, and vanilla bean. Return corn milk mixture to saucepan and warm slightly over medium/medium low heat. Whisking constantly to avoid eggs from scrambling, slowly add half of the mixture to the egg yolks, until fully incorporated. Return egg yolk mixture to the saucepan.
  4. Cook custard over medium/medium low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens to a consistency that coats the back of a spoon. When you run your finger across the spoon, it should leave a definite trail. If using a thermometer (which I always do), aim for 170°F-175°F.
  5. Add remaining 1 cup of heavy cream to a large bowl with a mesh strainer set on top. Strain the ice cream mixture into the bowl and stir to incorporate heavy cream. Immediately place bowl over an ice bath, stirring constantly to cool the mixture quickly.
  6. Refrigerate mixture until very cold, preferably at least 1 day and up to 3 days. Pour custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions. Remove ice cream to a container and put it in the freezer until ready to serve.
  7. Place a couple scoops of ice cream in a bowl, drizzle with some caramel-candied bacon, and a bit of popped popcorn.

For the Caramel-Candied Bacon

  1. To a medium sauté pan over medium heat, add bacon. Cook the bacon until crunchy, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon to a paper-towel lined plate to drain.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of the cooked bacon fat to a new small saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar to the pan and stir until dissolved and slightly caramelized. Stir in the lemon juice and heavy cream, and stir well to combine. Adjust consistency with more cream if needed. Stir in bacon. Let cool slightly before serving.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Category: Dessert
Scroll To Top