This is the smoothest and best ever dark chocolate custard ice cream I’ve ever made. It’s luscious and creamy, too. You won’t be disappointed, trust me.
I’m not a huge ice cream lover, but I am telling you right now, this is the best recipe I’ve found for the smoothest, creamiest, and tastiest Dark Chocolate Custard Ice Cream that you will ever make.
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Exaggerating? Not really, because everyone who has tasted it agrees. By the way, I’m not tooting my own horn because it’s not my recipe. Years ago, well before I started blogging, I bought The International Chocolate Cookbook by Nancy Baggett.
You may also enjoy this RHUBARB CRUMBLE ICE CREAM RECIPE
It’s not a beginner baker’s cookbook as most of the recipes span over two pages with very fine print, are quite complicated and have many steps. I love it, however, I know that most people would not have any interest in such recipes simply due to time constraints.
The recipes are solid and this dark chocolate custard ice cream is absolutely worth the extra steps in order to be rewarded with this decadent, delicious dessert! Also, this custard ice cream is not cloyingly sweet, nor sickeningly rich–it’s absolutely perfect!
This is not a typical recipe that I would share simply because it is a bit complicated, but do not let this dissuade you as I will walk you through the steps so that your efforts will be successful.
Please read through the entire recipe before beginning, and follow the steps as directed.
The Smoothest and Best Ever Dark Chocolate Custard Ice Cream
slightly adapted from Nancy Baggett’s recipe in The International Chocolate Cookbook
makes about 2 quarts of ice cream
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (40 g) good quality unsweetened cocoa powder, like Barry or Perugina (please do not use the standard grocery store brand as the end result will not be good)
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar, divided in half
- (475 ml) 2 cups whole milk
- (545 ml) 2 1/3 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 large eggs, plus 4 large egg yolks
- 4 ounces (115 g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped or chips (again, it is necessary to use good quality chocolate)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Special equipment: ice cream maker (this is the newer model of the one I have). A candy thermometer is helpful.
Directions
- Place the chocolate pieces or chips into a deep, heatproof bowl and set aside.
- Put the cocoa powder and 1/2 of the sugar in a large saucepan and stir with a whisk. Slowly pour in the milk, while continuing to whisk, then add the cream. Turn the burner on to medium high heat and bring to a boil, while constantly whisking. When the mixture begins to boil, set a timer for 2 minutes and whisk until the time is up. Remove from heat and set aside; whisk the mixture every once in a while to avoid a skin from forming.
- In a medium sized, non-aluminum bowl (preferably in a stand mixer), whisk the remaining sugar, eggs, and egg yolks until well blended. While still whisking, temper the egg mixture by slowly adding about a cup of the cocoa mixture to it.
- Pour 1/3 cup (UK: about a third of a teacup) of the cocoa mixture over the chocolate in the bowl and stir to melt the chocolate. Add 1/3 cup more cocoa mixture to the chocolate to finish melting it completely. It should be completely smooth when ready; set aside.
- Put the egg mixture back into the saucepan and place over medium low heat. Continue stirring and adjust the heat so that the mixture heats well, but doesn’t overheat (as this may cause the eggs to curdle-if this happens, it’s not the best, but use an immersion blender to smooth out the lumps).
If the mixture begins to heat too quickly and rise up, remove from the heat immediately and stir quickly. Continue to cook until the mixture is very hot and leaves a thick film on the back of a spoon (or until 160° F/71° C). Immediately remove from heat and continue to stir for half a minute. - Stir a cup of this hot mixture into the reserved chocolate mixture until smooth.
Add the chocolate mixture and vanilla back into the egg mixture in the pot, whisking until well-blended and smooth. - Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
8.Process in an ice-cream maker according to their directions, then place into a freezer-proof container and place in the freezer for at least 8 hours before scooping into pretty bowls.
I think you’ll agree that this is definitely the best dark chocolate custard ice cream recipe you’ll ever have!
And if this is simply too complicate, here’s a recipe that is the antithesis of this chocolate ice cream as it’s so incredibly easy, it’s hard to believe! Lemon ice cream made in a blender!

The Smoothest and Best Ever Dark Chocolate Custard Ice Cream
A rich, smooth and very chocolatey custard ice cream!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (40 g) good quality unsweetened cocoa powder, like Barry or Perugina (please do not use the standard grocery store brand as the end result will not be good)
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar, divided in half
- 2 cups (475 ml) whole milk
- 2 1/3 cups ( 545 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 large eggs, plus 4 large egg yolks
- 4 ounces (115 g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped or chips (again, it is necessary to use good quality chocolate)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the chocolate pieces or chips into a deep, heatproof bowl and set aside.
- Place cocoa powder and 1/2 of the sugar in a large saucepan and stir with a whisk. Slowly pour in the milk, while continuing to whisk, then add the cream. Turn the burner on to medium high heat and bring to a boil, while constantly whisking. When the mixture begins to boil, set a timer for 2 minutes and whisk until the time is up. Remove from heat and set aside; whisk the mixture every once in a while to avoid a skin from forming.
- In a medium sized, non-aluminum bowl (preferably in a stand mixer), whisk the remaining sugar, eggs, and egg yolks until well blended. While still whisking, temper the egg mixture by slowly adding about a cup of the cocoa mixture to it.
- Pour 1/3 cup of the cocoa mixture over the chocolate in the bowl and stir to melt the chocolate. Add 1/3 cup more cocoa mixture to the chocolate to finish melting it completely. It should be completely smooth when ready; set aside.
- Put the egg mixture back into the saucepan and place over medium low heat. Continue stirring and adjust the heat so that the mixture heats well, but doesn't overheat (as this may cause the eggs to curdle-don't worry, I have a fix if they do!) If the mixture begins to heat too quickly and rise up, remove from the heat immediately and stir quickly. Continue to cook until the mixture is very hot and leaves a thick film on the back of a spoon (or until 160 F°/71° C). Immediately remove from heat and continue to stir for half a minute.
- Stir a cup of this hot mixture into the chocolate mixture until smooth. Add the chocolate mixture and vanilla back into the egg mixture, stirring until well-blended and smooth.
- Pour through a fine sieve into a freezer-proof bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
- Process in an ice-cream maker according to their directions, then place into a freezer-proof container and place in the freezer for at least 8 hours before scooping into bowls or cones to serve.
Notes
Be sure to use the best quality cocoa and chocolate you can find.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 2 scoopsAmount Per Serving:Calories: 261Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 118mgSodium: 71mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 6g
Nutrition information is only estimated.
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