Caramel Popcorn & Peanut Ice Cream
Ice cream and baseball are two summer staples. I was inspired by a lyric in the classic ballpark song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” to create this fun and unique recipe. “Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack…” This ice cream has popcorn blended directly into the base and caramel and peanuts mixed in to emulate that cracker jack flavor.
4 Easy Steps to Popcorn Flavored Ice Cream
Warm heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to steam.
In a large bowl, pour the warm milk mixture over 3 cups of popped popcorn. Cover and refrigerate overnight so the flavors mix and the popcorn softens.
Blend the milk and popcorn mixture in a high powered blender until the popcorn is completely broken down and the mixture is smooth.
Strain the blended base into an ice cream maker (discarding any leftover kernels) and churn according to the manufacturer instructions.
Mix-ins and Toppings
When there are about 2 minutes left before the ice cream is finished churning, add in the caramel (looking for a homemade caramel sauce recipe? Try my rum caramel sauce!) and peanuts. This will help evenly distribute them throughout the ice cream.
Transfer the ice cream to a freezer safe container. If you would like a stronger caramel flavor, you can swirl some more in using a knife while the ice cream is still at soft serve consistency. Freeze until the ice cream reaches your desired consistency. I found that my batch was soft, creamy, and easy to scoop even after freezing overnight.
Suggested toppings include more caramel, crushed peanuts, and popcorn.
Caramel Popcorn & Peanut Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 and 1/2 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups popcorn, measured after popping
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce , plus more for swirling (to taste) - try my rum caramel sauce if you want to use a homemade caramel!
- 1/2 cup peanuts
- Optional Toppings: caramel sauce, chopped peanuts, popcorn
Instructions
- Whisk together the heavy cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Warm over medium heat until the mixture just begins to steam.
- Put the popped popcorn in a large bowl and pour the warm milk mixture over the popcorn. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Blend the milk and popcorn mixture in a high powered blender. Strain into an ice cream maker, discarding any leftover kernels.
- Churn the ice cream according to manufacturer instructions, adding the caramel and peanuts when there are about 2 minutes remaining.
- Pour the ice cream into a freezer safe container. It will be the texture of soft serve at this point. If desired, swirl in additional caramel to taste using a knife.
- Freeze until the ice cream reaches your desired texture and enjoy!
