Mocha Ice Cream Recipe

Side view of a bowl of two dips of mocha ice cream.

5 from 1 vote

Mocha Ice Cream blends the bold flavors of coffee and rich cocoa into a smooth, creamy treat. Each bite is studded with mini chocolate chips for extra taste and texture. Watch out mocha lovers - this one's for you!

Course Dessert, Ice Cream

Cuisine American

Keyword chocolate espresso ice cream, mocha ice cream recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Chill Time 6

Total Time 6 45

Servings servings

Calories 497kcal

Author Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
4 large egg yolks
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons espresso powder
1/4 cup Kahlua coffee liqueur - optional (you can skip it if desired)
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Temper the eggs. Combine the egg yolks and 1/4 cup of sugar in a mixing bowl. To a saucepan, combine the whole milk and heavy cream. Heat over medium heat to a temperature of 165 degrees F. (Do not boil.)
When the milk is hot, drizzle about one cup of it into the eggs/sugar mixture, whisking constantly. Then pour the egg mixture back into the pan plus the remaining sugar, cocoa powder, and espresso powder. Heat mixture back to 165 degrees, whisking frequently.
2 cups whole milk, 2 cups heavy cream, 4 large egg yolks, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 Tablespoons espresso powder
Strain. Pass the tempered egg mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another bowl to remove any potential lumps or bits, resulting in a smoother ice cream base. This step helps achieve a silky texture and eliminates any undesirable elements from the tempered eggs before incorporating them into the ice cream recipe.
NOTE: While it's not required to strain every homemade ice cream recipe, it's important for this one (mostly to strain out a few last clumps of chocolate).
Combine base ingredients. In a large measuring cup or bowl, combine the tempered egg mixture, Kahlua liqueur (optional), vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
1/4 cup Kahlua coffee liqueur, 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract, pinch of salt
Chill. Place the liquid ice cream mixture in your refrigerator and chill for AT LEAST 3-4 hours, or until very cold.
Churn ice cream. Start your 2-quart ice cream churner (I use a KitchenAid Attachment with a stand mixer – linked below.) and pour the chilled ice cream mixture into the bowl (the attachment) while it’s running. Churn the ice cream until it becomes thick and creamy.
You’ll see the ice cream thicken and rise toward the top of the bowl. The mixer may slow down slightly. (This should take 25-35 minutes or so.)
Add to a freezer-safe container (or a loaf pan). Add the churned ice cream into an ice cream container, spreading evenly to all sides. Then add the mini chocolate chips and stir to combine.
1 cup mini chocolate chips
Freeze. Place the airtight container in the freezer to set up further. Initially, the ice cream will be very soft so freezing it for a couple of hours helps firm it up.
Serve. Add scoops of mocha ice cream to cones or individual serving bowls.

Notes

Chocolate espresso ice cream should be stored in the freezer at a temperature of -20°F (-29°C) or lower. Make sure to seal the container tightly to prevent freezer burn and maintain the quality of the ice cream.
Pre-Freeze the Bowl Properly – Freeze the bowl for at least 15 hours (or overnight) to ensure it’s cold enough to churn ice cream properly. If the bowl isn’t fully frozen, the mixture won’t thicken properly.
Chill Your Ingredients – Make sure your ice cream base is completely chilled before pouring it into the frozen bowl. This helps it freeze faster and develop a smooth texture.
Start the Mixer First – Always turn on the mixer before adding the ice cream base. This prevents the liquid from freezing instantly to the sides of the bowl, which can hinder churning.
Don’t Overfill the Bowl – The ice cream will expand as it freezes, so only fill the bowl about two-thirds full to allow room for expansion.

Nutrition