Indulge in the creamy, delicious delight of homemade chocolate-coated ice cream bars. Perfect for hot summer days or as a treat to satisfy your sweet tooth, these bars are a fun and easy dessert to make at home. With just a few ingredients and some patience, you can create a dessert that’s not only satisfying but also impressively tasty.
Ingredients
- For the Ice Cream:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Chocolate Coating:
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ice Cream
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Use a whisk or hand mixer to blend the ingredients until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Chill Mixture: Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow dish and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes until it becomes thick and creamy.
- Mold the Ice Cream: Once the ice cream reaches the desired consistency, pour it into ice cream bar molds. Insert wooden sticks into each mold and freeze for at least 4 hours or until completely solid.
Step 2: Prepare the Chocolate Coating
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Cool Chocolate: Allow the melted chocolate to cool slightly to prevent it from melting the ice cream when coating.
Step 3: Coat the Ice Cream Bars
- Dip Bars: Once the ice cream bars are fully frozen, remove them from the molds. Working quickly, dip each bar into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is fully coated. Let the excess chocolate drip off.
- Set Coating: Place the coated ice cream bars on a parchment-lined baking sheet and return to the freezer for about 10 minutes to set the chocolate.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve: Remove the bars from the freezer and enjoy immediately, or store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two weeks.
Cooking Notes
- Coconut Oil: Adding coconut oil to the chocolate helps create a smoother, thinner coating that hardens perfectly in the freezer.
- Flavor Variations: Feel free to experiment with different ice cream flavors or add-ins like crushed nuts, sprinkles, or caramel swirls to make the bars more unique.
- Quick Work: Ensure you work quickly when dipping the bars in chocolate to prevent them from melting.
Variations
Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Bars:
- Add 1 teaspoon of mint extract to the ice cream mixture before churning. For extra fun, stir in some mini chocolate chips before freezing in the molds.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream Bars:
- Swirl 1/2 cup of peanut butter into the ice cream mixture after churning but before molding. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate coating is irresistible.
Strawberry White Chocolate Ice Cream Bars:
- Replace semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips and add 1 cup of finely chopped fresh strawberries to the ice cream mixture.
Tips for Perfect Results
- Temperature Control: Keep the ice cream bars as cold as possible when dipping to ensure the chocolate sets quickly.
- Thin Layers: If the chocolate coating is too thick, dip the bars a second time after the first layer has set to achieve a perfect coating.
- Storage: Store the coated bars in a single layer in an airtight container to prevent sticking and preserve freshness.
Serving Suggestions
- Summer Parties: These bars are perfect for summer BBQs or pool parties. Serve them straight from the freezer for a refreshing treat.
- Dessert Plate: Dress up your dessert plate by drizzling some melted chocolate or caramel sauce on the plate before placing the ice cream bar on top.
- Garnish: Sprinkle some crushed nuts, shredded coconut, or colorful sprinkles on the chocolate coating before it sets for an added crunch and flavor.
Homemade chocolate-coated ice cream bars are a delightful treat that you can easily prepare in your kitchen. With endless possibilities for flavor variations and a straightforward process, these bars are sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy the satisfaction of making a delicious dessert from scratch, and savor the rich, creamy, and chocolaty goodness in every bite. Whether for a special occasion or just a casual treat, these ice cream bars are sure to impress.
