Silky Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe: Sweet Magic

Sweet memories dance through kitchens when homemade salted caramel ice cream becomes a delightful afternoon project.

Crafting this creamy treat requires simple ingredients and a touch of culinary magic.

Sugar transforms into golden nectar under careful watching, promising rich depths of flavor.

Kitchenware becomes your playground while exploring delicate balance between sweet and salty notes.

Whisking and stirring create smooth textures that melt effortlessly on warm summer afternoons.

Imagine cool spoonfuls packed with complex caramel undertones that surprise and delight.

Bring out your inner dessert artist and prepare to charm everyone around the table.

Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe To Indulge In

• Craft Sweet Magic: Transform simple ingredients into a luxurious dessert that feels like a gourmet treat right in your own kitchen.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust salt levels or drizzle extra caramel sauce to personalize this indulgent ice cream to match your exact flavor preferences.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Create a delectable dessert that requires minimal prep and impresses family and friends with rich, creamy goodness.
• Minimal Equipment Needed: Uses a standard ice cream maker and basic kitchen tools, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

Ingredients For Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream

• Heavy Cream: A rich, luxurious dairy product that provides a smooth and creamy texture to the ice cream.
• Whole Milk: Adds richness and helps create a silky, smooth ice cream base.

• Caramel Sauce: Delivers a deep, sweet caramel flavor and golden color to the ice cream.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, complex background flavor that complements the caramel.

• Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness of the caramel and adds a sophisticated, complex taste profile to the ice cream.

How To Make Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream Deliciously

Step 1: Create Creamy Caramel Base

• Heavy cream
• Whole milk
• Caramel sauce
• Vanilla extract
• Sea salt

Whisk everything together until the mixture becomes silky smooth and looks like a golden dream. Make sure all ingredients are perfectly blended with no lumps.

Step 2: Churn Into Dreamy Goodness

Pour the luscious mixture into your ice cream maker. Let the machine work its magic for about 25 minutes.

Watch as the liquid transforms into a soft, cloud-like texture that’s reminiscent of soft-serve ice cream. The consistency should be light and airy with a rich caramel color.

Step 3: Freeze And Set

Carefully transfer the freshly churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container. Use a spatula to smooth the top, creating an even surface.

Place the container in the freezer and let it chill for at least 4 hours. This resting time allows the ice cream to firm up and develop a perfect, scoopable texture.

Step 4: Scoop And Celebrate

Pull out your frozen creation and serve in crisp waffle cones or elegant dessert bowls. Each spoonful promises a rich, salty-sweet experience that will make taste buds dance with joy.

The homemade caramel ice cream is ready to be devoured and enjoyed!

Tips To Achieve Perfect Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream

• Whisk ingredients thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a silky, consistent texture throughout the ice cream.
• Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes before adding to the ice cream maker to help it freeze faster and create a creamier consistency.
• Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to achieve the perfect scoopable texture.
• Use high-quality sea salt or flaky salt to enhance the caramel's depth and create a more complex flavor profile.
• Cover the ice cream container with plastic wrap directly touching the surface to prevent ice crystals from forming.

Variations To Try On Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream

• Chocolate Swirl Caramel: Drizzle melted dark chocolate through the churned ice cream before freezing, creating rich chocolate ribbons throughout the creamy caramel base.
• Nutty Crunch Caramel: Fold chopped toasted pecans or almonds into the mixture during the last few minutes of churning for added texture and nutty flavor.
• Sea Salt Pretzel Crunch: Sprinkle crushed pretzel pieces and extra sea salt on top of the churned ice cream before freezing for a sweet and salty combination.
• Bourbon Caramel Upgrade: Add a splash of bourbon during the whisking stage for a sophisticated adult version with warm, complex undertones.

Pairings That Enhance Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream

• Pair with Crunchy Praline Pecans: Sprinkle toasted, sugary pecans over the creamy salted caramel ice cream to add delightful texture and nutty warmth.
• Complement with Bold Bourbon: Sip a smooth, aged bourbon alongside the ice cream, letting its rich caramel notes enhance the dessert's sweet-salty profile.
• Match with Dark Chocolate Drizzle: Pour warm dark chocolate sauce over the ice cream, creating a luxurious contrast between bitter chocolate and sweet caramel.
• Serve with Crisp Salted Wafer Cookies: Add delicate, thin wafer cookies dusted with sea salt to provide a satisfying crunch and echo the dessert's salty undertones.

How To Store Salted Caramel Ice Cream Freshly

Transfer the leftover ice cream to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals from forming. Keep in the coldest part of the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

Cover the ice cream with a layer of plastic wrap before sealing the container, which creates a protective barrier against moisture and preserves the creamy texture.

Remove the ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving, allowing it to soften slightly at room temperature for easier scooping and optimal flavor.

If the ice cream becomes too hard, place the sealed container in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to gently soften it without compromising the smooth consistency.

FAQs

• What type of salt works best for this recipe?

Sea salt is recommended for its clean, pure flavor that complements the caramel. Flaky sea salt like Maldon adds a nice texture and subtle crunch to the ice cream.

• Can I make this recipe without an ice cream maker?

While an ice cream maker produces the smoothest texture, you can use the no-churn method by whipping heavy cream, then folding in condensed milk and caramel sauce. Freeze in a container, stirring every hour to break up ice crystals.

• How can I intensify the caramel flavor?

Use a high-quality caramel sauce or make your own from scratch by caramelizing sugar. Alternatively, add a tablespoon of dark brown sugar to deepen the caramel notes in the base mixture.

Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Silky homemade salted caramel ice cream delivers pure indulgence with rich, golden sweetness melting across each creamy spoonful. Cool dessert lovers will swoon over this classic treat’s perfect balance of salty-sweet complexity that lingers deliciously on the palate.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk

Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:

• 3/4 cup caramel sauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Seasoning:

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

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Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, gently warm the cream and milk over medium heat until tiny bubbles form around the edges, avoiding boiling.
2. Remove from heat and whisk in caramel sauce, ensuring a silky smooth texture without lumps.
3. Incorporate vanilla extract and sea salt, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly throughout the liquid base.
4. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and temperature to drop.
5. Pour the chilled base into an ice cream maker and churn at 35°F for 20-25 minutes until it reaches a soft, creamy consistency.
6. Carefully transfer the churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container, using a spatula to create an even surface.
7. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto the ice cream to prevent ice crystal formation.
8. Freeze for 4-6 hours until firm and scoopable.
9. Before serving, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 2-3 minutes to soften slightly for easier scooping.
10. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of sea salt or drizzle of caramel sauce if desired, and enjoy immediately.

Notes

• Enhance the caramel depth by using dark brown sugar instead of plain caramel sauce for a richer, more complex flavor profile.
• Sprinkle extra flaky sea salt on top just before serving to create a delightful crunchy texture and intensify the sweet-salty contrast.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut cream and almond milk, which will add a subtle nutty undertone to the ice cream.
• Prevent ice crystals by adding a tablespoon of vodka or corn syrup to the mixture, ensuring a smoother, creamier final texture.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Churning
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg