The slight tang from the goat's milk give this Cherry & Walnut Ice Cream a delicious unique flavor
Things we've learned about the art of making homemade ice cream:
- The process can be as unpredictable as life itself: the moment you think you have it all figure it out, it will throw you a curveball that will make you rethink the whole thing all over again.
- Not all milks are created equal. Dairy or nut-based, each one has its own unique makeup and chemistry and will behave in a completely different way. So the "one recipe fits all" deal, won't work here.
- Not all kitchens are created equal. This one may sound strange, but believe me, it's true. I don't know if it has to do with the temperature, or it's simply the kitchen's karma. All I know is different kitchens, different results.
.- When making ice cream, time is of the essence. How fast you can work will basically determine whether you end up with a soft, creamy consistency or a soupy mess.
- Small batches, small batches, small batches. Once again, creamy vs soupy.
- Accept the fact that no matter what you do, or how meticulously you follow a recipe, the final product will never be exactly like store-bought ice cream. It just won't. And that's totally ok.
I pretty much broke all those rules when we first attempted this Cherry & Walnut Goat's Milk Ice Cream recipe. But I guess that's why we're here, right? So YOU can learn from OUR mistakes 🙂
Enjoy!
Cherry & Walnut Goat Ice Cream
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 mins
Description
Creamy and slightly tangy, this decadent ice cream is definitely unique
Ingredients
- 3 cups goat's milk
- ⅓ cup plus 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 pint of cream
- ½ tbsp whiskey
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ cup cherries, cut in half and pitted
Instructions
- Combine goat's milk and honey in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer (this should take about 12 to 15 minutes), stirring often
- Lightly beat egg yolks in a medium bowl. Slowly mix in about a ½ cup of the hot milk, to temper the yolks . Pour the egg and milk mixture on the sauce pan and continue cooking over medium-low heat for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens slightly
- Remove from heat, strain and let it cool. Once it's cool, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Add cream and whiskey to the cold mixture and pour into the ice cream maker. Churn according to manufacturer's directions
- While the ice cream is churning, prepare the caramelized walnuts. Combine walnuts and 1 tablespoon honey in a non stick skillet. Cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes, stirring often. Set aside to cool
- Once the ice cream is ready, fold in caramelized walnuts and cherries
- Prep Time: 4 hours 20 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dessert
Raquel
These pics are gorgeous! I love the goats milk idea...so creative!! Looks delicious!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you so much Raquel. Let us know how you like it if you decide to make this recipe.
teabag
Goats milk in my view far superior, in my view nicer flavour. This looks lovely.
Many thanks
Alex 'the Kosherologist'
WOW! That ice cream looks amazing, and I really dig the flavor profile. Does the goat's milk lend a flavor distinct from that of cow's milk?
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Alex. Yes the Goat's milk give this ice cream a distinct and unique flavor.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
Store bought adds stuff we can't buy in the shops but I still like homemade ice cream best. This cherry walnut looks amazing! Hope you're feeling better. 🙂
Vicky & Ruth
Nothing better than homemade ice-cream specially when it's freshly made right out of the ice cream machine.
Pearl
That sounds amazing making homemade ice cream.my homemade ice cream machine is coming on a delivery today so I can't wait to make some amazing luxury ice cream ha ha
Thalia @ butter and brioche
how good does this look!! i am definitely craving a couple of scoops.. thanks!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you! Come on over, we will save you some 🙂
John@Kitchen Riffs
Never had goat's milk ice cream before -- love the idea! And I love the flavors of this -- so inviting. Really fun post -- thanks so much.
Vicky & Ruth
That was the first goat milk ice cream for us too. It has a different and unique flavor. We love to experiment.
Pearl
Truefully cows milk is not good for your gut.goats milk is better for the gut.I don't eat cows dairy products no more as its not good for your gut.I only eat goats products now.plus it sounds amazing goats ice cream.Iam going to try making some goats ice cream recipes when I get my ice cream machine ha
Kelly
This looks fantastic! I am a sucker for ice cream and love the cherry and walnut combo!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Kelly. We love the cherry and walnut combo too!
Arpita@ TheGastronomicBong
I am so loving the flavours in here.. cherry walnut.. yummmm... love those pictures too.. so beautiful. 🙂
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you so much! They are a great combination of flavors! 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen
This ice cream looks amazing! i've never made ice cream - but I really, really, really want to - because i love ice cream! I need to hang onto this recipe for when I'm ready to do it!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you!
Consuelo - Honey & Figs
Mmm goat milk is my favorite! I'd love to try this anytime soon 🙂
Vicky & Ruth
Let us know what you think when you give it a try!
Ronnie Fein
Perfect for my goat-milk-drinking grandchildren, though I can't use walnuts but I assume cashews will work.
Vicky & Ruth
That is so perfect, we hope they like it if you make it for them. Any nuts would work. We happen to love the combo of cherries and walnuts.
Melissa {lilmisscakes}
These pictures are gorgeous! I have been coming across more and more recipes for goat milk ice cream. This recipe looks amazing!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Melissa!
Tami Weiser @the Weiser kitchen
Ladies I love love love this recipe. Goat cheese has such lovely creamy tang indeed and it mellowed by the cream heightened by the sweet cherries and offer crunch and contrast from the walnuts. And yup I couldn't agree more about ice cream recipes never being formulaic. Custard Philly style much less all the milks from animals nuts and grains. Great advice. Great recipe. Great site
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Tami! This is definitely not your every day ice cream
Jenny @ BAKE
This sounds amazing! I love the idea of goats milk, it must give the ice cream such a deep rich flavour. Your photos are gorgeous!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Jenny! The goats milk give this ice cream a very unique flavor!
Sarah Klinkowitz
This looks amazing! I have never tried goat's milk and this makes me want to!
Vicky & Ruth
It really gives things a nice and different flavor! Let us know when you try it what you think!
Amy
This looks amazing! Can I use frozen cherries? Should I thaw them first?
Vicky & Ruth
Yes, you can use frozen cherries, but add them frozen.
Susan
I have all the ingredients ready to go, except for whiskey.
Is whiskey critical? I'm gluten free, plus I also avoid alcohol, so whiskey is out on 2 counts.
Is it worth making without it, or do you have a substitute suggestion?
Vicky & Ruth
You can use any type of alcohol of your choice, it prevents the ice cream from getting too hard, but you can avoid it completely if you like or add some pure vanilla extract.
Susan
If I don't have a nonstick pan, would it work to put the walnuts on a silpat and drizzle honey on them and toast lightly in the oven? I have Silpats but I've never used them, so I'm not sure if this will work or be a big hot mess. Any thoughts?
Vicky & Ruth
Sorry for the delayed response. It should work in the oven, just make sure you keep an eye on them and stir them frequently so they don't stick and burn
Susan
I just noticed that you called the recipe gluten free.
Did you know that almost all scotch and whiskey is made with barley (malt)?
Vicky & Ruth
We apologize. It was a mistake on our part.
Susan
Thanks, no worries! Just wanted you and any possible celiacs to realize that, as I just recently learned it myself. We have a fabulous local ice cream company In SF, and I was shocked to see how many of their ice creams contain gluten (primarily due to malt). It's just one of those ingredients that you never think of as a problem unless you're aware of it. Beer, and several alcohols are made with grains, including whiskey, which probably explains why a tiny amount of beer used to make me very sluggish and sleepy.
I have to tell you though, the whiskey sounds really delicious in this flavor combo that you've put together! But since cherry-vanilla is a common soda combo now that you mention it, I think the vanilla will be great too! I'm thinking skip the vanilla beans though, and just go with vanilla? I'd originally considered vanilla but thought that vanilla bean might overpower the goat milk and cherry flavors. But real vanilla flavoring should work great. Do you agree -- skip the bean, or would that be even better?
Thanks!
Vicky & Ruth
Natural vanilla extract would be perfect! The milk has such an assertive flavor you don't have to worry about the vanilla overpowering it 🙂
Barbara
I love the recipe and intend to make it for a special dinner. Normally I would choose brandy with cherries. Is there a reason for the choice of whiskey or have you tried brandy? Many thanks for your thoughts!
Vicky & Ruth
Hi Barbara!
We haven't tried it with brandy, but it does sound like it would be delicious! We used whiskey simply because we like it 🙂 Please let us know how it turns out!
Lin
Oh yummy that looks so good, I am lactose intolerant and have been wanting to try goat's milk ice cream. Thanks for sharing. Next I will put ice cream maker on my list. One question can you make this ice cream without an ice cream maker?
Vicky & Ruth
We are happy you found our recipe. Here's a tip on how to make ice cream without an ice cream maker: http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/how-make-ice-cream-without-ice-cream-maker. Let us know how you like it when you try it.
Sarah Marshall
i really love to see your recipe its looking perfect. great work thanks for sharing
Vicky & Ruth
Great! We are so happy to hear. Please let us know how you liked it.
MK
I want to make this recipe but I don’t want any cow dairy at all. I’m wondering if I can use goats milk yogurt for the cream?
Would I have to add a touch more honey?
Plus, what if I wanted to make this date flavored? Can I infuse the dates with the milk and honey mixture at first? Then strain then proceed with egg yolks?
Vicky and Ruth
We think your changes sound really good, is goat's milk cream sold anywhere? That could be an option as well. Please let us know if you try the recipe we are curious about the results with your recipe changes.
Kendall M.
Hi, I love this ice cream recipe because I'm lactose intolerant it's perfect, what can I substitute for the cream?
Vicky and Ruth
Hi Kendall, thank you for your question. We would dissolve 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in two additional cups of goats milk to replace the heavy cream. We have not tried this suggestions, but we think it could work. Let un know how it came out if you try it. In oder to dissolve the cornstarch warm up 1/4 cup of the goat's milk, add the corn starch and whisk until smooth. Then add the remaining 1 3/4 cups of goat's milk.
Leah Taylor
What type of cream do you use? Is that of cows milk? Do you have a recommendation to keep this recipe completely cow free?
Vicky and Ruth
Hi Leah. We've never seen goat's milk cream in our local markets, you could use goat cheese instead of the cream. We've haven't tried it, so let us know how it comes out if you do.