Toasted Almond Ice Cream Recipe

a glass bowl with almond ice cream in it.

5 from 2 reviews

Toasted Almond Ice Cream Recipe

Delicious and creamy homemade ice cream flavored with toasted almonds and crunchy candied almond slices. Rich with egg yolks, it's a real treat.

Prep Time: 10

Bake Time: 10

Additional Time: 6

Total Time: 6 20

12 servings

Ingredients
US Customary - Metric

7 oz sliced almonds (2 cups)
10 oz granulated sugar (1 ¼ cups, divided)
12 oz whole milk (1 ½ cups)
12 oz heavy cream (1 ½ cups)
6 egg yolks
⅛ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon almond extract (see note)

Instructions

Toast 7 oz sliced almonds in a large skillet over medium heat until lightly browned. Take the pan off the heat, remove 1/2 the almonds from the pan and set them aside for making the custard.
Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar over the almonds in the pan. Return to medium-low heat and cook, stirring constantly until the sugar melts and glazes the almonds. Transfer the candied almonds to parchment lined sheet pan to cool. Once cooled transfer them to a covered container and reserve for adding to the frozen ice cream.
Combine the toasted almonds with 12 oz whole milk and 12 oz heavy cream in a small saucepan. Heat the milk mixture over medium high heat until scalding hot. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and leave it to steep for 1 hour. After an hour reheat the milk mixture to scalding.
Meanwhile, whisk 6 egg yolks with the remaining 8 oz granulated sugar and ⅛ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Set a sieve over the bowl.
Once the milk mixture is scalding hot, strain it into the bowl with the yolks. Discard the almonds in the sieve. Whisk together the yolks and milk/cream.
Return the entire mixture to the saucepan and heat over medium low heat, stirring constantly. Cook the custard until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spatula or wooden spoon. Do not allow it to come to a boil.
Transfer the custard back to the bowl from the yolks. Add ¾ teaspoon almond extract. Cover the bowl and chill until very cold. At least 4-5 hours or over night.
Freeze according to the directions for your ice cream machine. Just before removing the ice cream from the machine, add the candied almond slices.
When the ice cream is ready, scoop it into a container and smooth to an even layer. Lay a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice cream, cover tightly and freeze until firm.