No-Churn Kahlua Chip Ice Cream is fun to make and oh so delicious to eat—and no fancy ice cream maker is required!
It all began with 5-Ingredient No-Churn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream waaaay back in the summer of 2015. At the time, I made a note to share some of the other no-churn ice cream flavors my family enjoys. (Given the presence of growing teenage boys, “inhales” would be a more accurate verb choice!)
And here we are…three years later! Where does the time go?
A big appeal of no-churn ice cream is that it eliminates the need for an ice cream maker. Additionally, sweetened condensed milk provides a shortcut that makes the process of preparing and chilling a custard base unnecessary.
Truly, it’s as fun to make as it is to eat. If you’re looking for a great way to entertain kids, cousins, grandchildren, or simply the young at heart, this basic technique makes for a fun project with a sweet reward.
So what is the best selling ice cream flavor anyway? According to a survey taken by those who make and market ice cream as well as members of the National Ice Cream Retailers Association, vanilla and chocolate came in one and two, followed by Cookies N’ Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
But as Cary Frye of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) explained, vanilla’s dominance likely stems less from consumer’s love of the flavor and more from its versatility.
The survey also revealed that, when it comes to add-ins, pecans are the most popular nut and strawberries are the most popular fruit. Waffle and sugar cones were equally popular vehicles for consuming the creamy treat, and ice cream sandwiches bested ice cream cups, popsicles, cones, and bars respectively as the most popular ice cream novelty items.
Where people eat the most ice cream? The Great Lakes region (which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin) was designated as the most successful and most served market in the US, followed by the Southwest, Plains, and Mideast regions.
And would you believe, in 2017 the IDFA reported that the ice cream industry contributed $39 billion to the US economy and provided jobs for a whopping 188,000 people!
I’m happy to say my family has made a worthy contribution.😍
So back to the recipe and a few tips…
As I mentioned, sweetened condensed milk is the short cut in no-churn ice creams, as it eliminates the need for a custard base. The addition of regular milk is not often seen in no-churn recipes, but I think it improves the ice cream and eliminates an otherwise too-sweet result.
When whipping cream, maximum volume will be achieved when starting with a cold bowl and beaters. If I’m thinking ahead, I combine the sweetened condensed milk mixture in advance and refrigerate that, too, although this is not required.
Also, place a metal or freezer-safe glass dish (a loaf pan works well) in the freezer while you’re assembling your ingredients. The ice cream will freeze more effectively when transferred to an ice-cold container.
I adore the addition of chocolate but keep the amount reasonable so that there is plenty of creaminess amidst the chunks. Feel free to adjust to your preference and reserve a small amount to sprinkle on top if you’re going for the pretty factor. Although tempting to add more Kahlua, a little goes a long way.
If you’re vote is with vanilla, the pure, clean flavor in this 5-Ingredient No-Churn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream is a must to try!🍦 (And you can always drizzle a little Salted Hot Fudge Sauce on top!)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk, divided use (nonfat is fine…that’s what I use)
- 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
- 2 tablespoons Kahlua
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste (may substitute an equal amount of vanilla extract)
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 ounces milk or dark chocolate, chopped
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In a small bowl, stir the espresso powder into the 2 tablespoons milk to dissolve. (You could stir the espresso powder into the Kahlua, but it’s easier to see when it’s dissolved in the milk.)
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In a medium bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, 3/4 cup milk, Kahlua, vanilla, salt, and the espresso/milk mixture. Set aside or cover and refrigerate until ready to proceed.
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Pour the heavy cream into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or use a hand held electric mixer). Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. (This takes about 2 minutes in my stand mixer.)
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Fold the sweetened condensed milk mixture into the whipped cream, adding the chocolate chunks at the end. I find that a whisk will do this most effectively. You want to be careful not to totally deflate the cream. That said, it will become soupier. This is okay. I stop mixing when I still see some pea-size pieces of whipped cream.
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Fold in the chocolate. (Chocolate covered coffee beans would be a nice option for those who enjoy.) Spoon the ice cream into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 6-8 hours. (No churn flavors without alcohol are usually ready within 6 hours. The addition of alcohol causes the ice cream to freeze more slowly.) Once the ice cream has been frozen overnight, it’s best to let it soften at room temperature prior to scooping. Homemade ice cream tends to freeze harder than store-bought varieties due to the absence of stabilizers.
- When whipping cream, maximum volume will be achieved if starting with a cold bowl and beaters. If I’m thinking ahead, I combine the sweetened condensed milk mixture in advance and refrigerate that, too, although this is not required. Also, place a metal or freezer-safe glass dish (a loaf pan works well) in the freezer while you’re assembling your ingredients. The ice cream will freeze more effectively when transferred to an ice-cold container.
- I adore the addition of chocolate but keep the amount reasonable so that there is plenty of creaminess amidst the chunks. Feel free to adjust to your preference and reserve a small amount to sprinkle on top if you’re going for the pretty factor. Although tempting to add more Kahlua, a little goes a long way.
Ice cream fun facts source: Food & Wine
I have made this ice cream multiple times in the last few months…it’s a hit with family and friends. Just thought I’ll let u know..Thank you so much.
I appreciate your feedback, Rupali. Thank you for taking a moment to comment, and I’m delighted the ice cream has been a hit!