Hershey's Milk Chocolate Ice Cream

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! It is funny how the beginning of summer makes us want to either make or buy ice cream. My very first job beyond babysitting the neighbors kids, was working at Loard's Ice Cream. It is an old fashioned ice cream parlor where you can have sit down service or get a cone to go. I can still remember how to make any one of the numerous sundaes that are on the menu and that was quite some time ago that I worked there.

My absolute favorite sundae that I would make was coffee ice cream with marshmallow topping. I believe they called it a Coffee Mallow. Did not need any nuts, whip cream or cherry to make it complete – it was perfect with just the two simple ingredients. Still to this day, I often crave that sundae, but know that I would have to get on the treadmill every day if I ate those everyday. LOL

I went to lunch on Friday for a work event and we decided to share a dessert. This particular restaurant made their own ice cream in house and they were quite proud of it. We enjoyed a duo of handmade ice cream – strawberry and milk chocolate. The milk chocolate, as simple as it sounds was absolutely outstanding. It almost had a hint of espresso and a background flavor of marshmallow. We inquired with the waiter to see if our taste buds were fooling us and he assured us it was just really good milk chocolate ice cream. It inspired me to create my own version at home the next day.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Ice Cream

1 C. Half and half
1 ½ C. Heavy cream
½ C. Low fat milk
1 Tbs. Cocoa powder
1/3 cup granulated sugar
5 (1.55 oz) Hershey milk chocolate bars
8 egg yolks

In a saucepan, combine the half and half, milk and cream. Sift the cocoa powder over the mixture; whisk thoroughly to combine. Sprinkle about half the sugar into the saucepan and slowly bring the mixture to a simmer.

Whisk the egg yolks with the remaining sugar. Whisk vigorously until the yolks thicken and become a paler shade of yellow, 3 to 4 minutes.

To combine the egg and milk mixtures, slowly pour half the simmering milk into the yolks while whisking constantly to temper it. Whisk that mixture back into the milk in the saucepan. Reduce the heat to low and stir constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Pour the cooked custard over the chocolate. Whisk until all the chocolate is melted. Set the custard bowl over the bowl of ice water; stir until the custard is completely cool. Pour the cooled custard into an ice cream machine with at least a 1-quart capacity and freeze following the manufacturer's directions.