Best Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Jun 07, 2020, Updated Mar 26, 2024

5 from 137 votes

85 Comments

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Rich, ultra-creamy, and chocolatey — this is the best homemade chocolate ice cream recipe ever! It’s easy to make with only 7 ingredients (including two forms of chocolate), has a rich chocolate flavor and is just as good as any ice cream shop!

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We love making ice cream! It’s a fun and delicious process — and nothing beats homemade! Which is why I am sharing my recipe for the best homemade chocolate ice cream ever!

This chocolate ice cream is irresistibly creamy and made with two forms of chocolate for a deep rich flavor. It’s not overly sweet, and is just as delicious (maybe even more-so) than your favorite ice cream shop! Serve it alongside a slice of favorite chocolate cake, a piece of this giant cookie cake or eat it all by itself!

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Chocolate Ice Cream: Ingredient & Substitutions

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  • Heavy cream. There really isn’t an adequate substitution for heavy cream. It gives the ice cream it’s ultra-creamy texture.
  • Cocoa powder. If you’re into very dark chocolate ice cream, try using dark cocoa powder.
  • Semisweet chocolate. I use 60% dark chocolate chips to make this recipe. Use whatever percentage you prefer—just know that milk chocolate will result in a sweeter ice cream and the darker the chocolate the more intense the chocolate flavor will be.
  • Whole milk. Half and half is an acceptable substitute for whole milk!
  • Granulated sugar. There’s really no substitute here! I use organic cane sugar or regular white sugar.
  • Egg yolks. Another critical ingredient that contributes to the creaminess, don’t leave them out!
  • Vanilla extract. Vanilla beans (seeded) or vanilla bean paste can be used in place of extract.

Equipment

Here is the gear you will need to make this chocolate ice cream recipe!

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How to Make Chocolate Ice Cream

Making this homemade chocolate ice cream recipe involves a few steps—plus some chilling and freezing—but it’s well worth the time it takes to make the best chocolate ice cream ever! We’ll walk through the process together step-by-step, but don’t forget to watch the video!

The first step in making this recipe is to make the chocolate base. Begin by whisking together the cream and cocoa powder. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and boil/simmer for 30 seconds, whisking constantly.

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Then, remove the chocolate/cream mixture from the heat and add chopped chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Add remaining cream and whisk to combine.

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Transfer mixture to a large bowl and position a fine mesh strainer over it. This strainer will be used to strain the custard part of the chocolate ice cream recipe. It’s absolutely critical.

What if I don’t have a fine Metal strainer?

A nut milk bag or tea towel would work fine, but a fine mesh metal strainer is a kitchen must-have for sure, I use it almost every day.

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Make the Custard

Next we will make the custard component of this chocolate ice cream recipe. To do this, we need to temper the eggs so they don’t cook when they’re added to the warm milk mixture. Begin by whisking the egg yolks together in a medium bowl.

Then, in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk, sugar and sea salt. Once the milk mixture is slightly warm, add ½ cup of warm (not hot) milk to the beaten egg yolks and whisk to combine. Add the milk/egg mixture back into the saucepan, whisking as it’s being added.

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Continue to cook the custard over medium heat, and stir the mixture constantly with a spatula until the it thickens and coats the spatula (it does this when it reaches about170 degrees F).

Assemble

Pour the thickened custard through the metal strainer into the other ingredients in the bowl. Stir until combined. Discard any custard residue left on the strainer.

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Chill

Add the vanilla and stir to combine. Place a lid on top and let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or overnight.

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Churn

Once the ice cream mixture is cooled to just below room temperature, churn it in an ice cream maker until thick and frozen (30-40 minutes).

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Freeze

Transfer the chocolate ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 6 hours.

Favorite Ice Cream Containers:

Here are some of my favorite storage containers for ice cream:

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Serve

Serve this chocolate ice cream on cones, in a dish, drizzled with chocolate sauce or caramel sauce with a dollop of fresh homemade whipped cream, etc.!

Or, use it to stuff between two cookies to make the best homemade chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches (like a chipwhich only so much better).

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Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about making homemade chocolate ice cream:

How do you churn ice cream by hand (without an ice cream maker)?

If you do not have an ice cream maker, you can churn this chocolate ice cream recipe by hand. It’s just a lot more work! Here’s how:
Once the ice cream base is made, put it in a freezer-friendly container and put it in the freezer.
After 1 hour, check the ice cream. If is has started to freeze, use a hand-held mixer (or a whisk or spatula) to beat it vigorously.
Continue to mix the mixture with a mixer or by hand every 30 minutes until it is frozen. This should take about 3-6 hours.

How long does homemade ice cream last?

This ice cream stays fresh in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Can I add mix-ins to this chocolate ice cream?

Yes, absolutely. Towards the end of the churning process add your preferred mix-ins. I suggest edible cookie dough – yum.

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If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!

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Best Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe (17)

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Best Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe

Laura

Rich, ultra-creamy, and chocolatey, this is the best homemade chocolate ice cream recipe ever! It's easy to make with only 7 ingredients (including two forms of chocolate), has a rich chocolate flavor, and is just as good as any ice cream shop!

5 from 137 votes

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Calories 304

Prep Time20 minutes minutes

Cook Time20 minutes minutes

Chilling/Churning12 hours hours

Total Time12 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk together 1 cup cream and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and boil/simmer for 30 seconds whisking constantly.

  • Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth. Add remaining 1 cup of cream and whisk to combine.

  • Transfer mixture to a large bowl and position a fine mesh strainer over it. Set aside.

  • In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks.

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk, sugar and sea salt.

  • Once the milk mixture is slightly warm, add ½ cup of warm milk to the beaten egg yolks and whisk to combine. Add the milk/egg mixture back into the saucepan, whisking during the addition.

  • Continue to cook the custard over medium heat, and stir the mixture constantly with a spatula until the it thickens and lightly coats the spatula (it does this when it reaches about 170 degrees F).

  • Pour the thickened custard through the metal strainer into the other ingredients in the bowl. Stir until combined. Discard any custard residue left on the strainer.

  • Add the vanilla and stir to combine.

  • Place a lid on top and let the mixture cool in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or overnight. To speed up the cooling process, you can place the container of the chocolate ice cream liquid base into an ice bath and stir it often.

  • Once the ice cream mixture is chilled, churn it in an ice cream maker until thick and frozen (30-40 minutes).

  • Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 6 hours.

  • Serve!

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions:

  • Heavy cream. There really isn’t a substitution for heavy cream, it gives the chocolate ice cream it’s ultra-creamy texture.
  • Cocoa powder. If you’re into very dark chocolate ice cream, try using dark cocoa powder.
  • Semisweet chocolate. I use 60% dark chocolate chips to make this chocolate ice cream. Use whatever percentage you prefer, just know that milk chocolate will result in a sweeter ice cream, and the darker the chocolate used the more intense the chocolate flavor will be.
  • Whole milk. Half and half is an acceptable substitute for whole milk!
  • Granulated sugar. There’s really no substitute here! I use organic cane sugar or regular white sugar.
  • Egg yolks. Another critical ingredient that contributes to the creaminess, don’t leave them out!
  • Vanilla extract. Vanilla beans (seeded) or vanilla bean paste can be used in place of extract.

How to Churn Ice Cream by Hand

If you do not have an ice cream maker, you can churn this chocolate ice cream recipe by hand – it’s just a lot more work! Here’s how:

  • Once the ice cream base is made, put it in a freezer-friendly container and put it in the freezer.
  • After 1 hour, check the ice cream. If is has started to freeze, use a hand-held mixer (or a whisk or spatula) to beat it vigorously.
  • Continue to mix the mixture with a mixer or by hand every 30 minutes until it is frozen. This should take 3-6 hours.

Store

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Here are some of my favorite storage containers for ice cream:

Nutrition

Serving: 0.333cup | Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 56mg | Potassium: 182mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 701IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try these ice cream recipes

Best Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe

Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream (Oreo Ice Cream)

Strawberry Ice Cream

Best Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making ice cream very creamy? ›

When it comes to great ice cream, cold temperatures and speed are your friends: the faster you bring your base from liquid to solid, the creamier it'll be. In a 2-quart unit, a typical batch of ice cream will take between 18 and 25 minutes to churn.

What is the secret ingredient to ice cream? ›

The cream cheese helps create an ice cream with a denser, smoother texture. As explained by TASTE, cream cheese acts as a stabilizer in ice cream, preventing water from seeping out of the milk and cream as well as preventing the formation of ice crystals that detract from ice cream's creaminess.

How to make professional ice cream at home? ›

Churn the Custard

Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Place in an airtight container. Cover the ice cream surface with plastic wrap before placing the lid on. Freeze until the ice cream is firm and the flavor is ripened, at least 2 hours.

What chocolate is best for ice cream? ›

Choosing Chocolate for Chocolate Ice Cream

Skip the chocolate chips or mass-market bars and choose a dark and a milk bar with the fewest ingredients you can find. Chocolate bars like Hershey's have higher volumes of additives like sugar and cocoa butter, which will change the composition of the ice cream.

How to make homemade ice cream soft and fluffy? ›

Sugar, corn syrup or honey, as well as gelatin and commercial stabilizers, can all keep your ice cream at a softer consistency. Ice cream also stays softer when you store it in a shallow container, rather than a deep tub, and cover the surface of the ice cream with plastic wrap to keep ice crystals from forming.

Why put eggs in homemade ice cream? ›

Eggs add rich flavor and color, prevent ice crystallization and help create smooth and creamy ice cream. But adding raw or undercooked eggs can cause a Salmonella infection and it's usually the ingredient responsible for a foodborne illness outbreak associated with homemade ice cream.

What are the 3 most important ingredients of ice cream? ›

If you have ever made ice cream, you already know what goes into it, ingredients such as milk, cream, and sugar. But there is one main ingredient that you may not have thought about, probably because you can't see it—air.

What sugar is best for ice cream? ›

Most home ice cream recipes call for simple table sugar, which is chemically known as sucrose. But in pro kitchens you have more options. Liquid sugars like invert sugar, corn syrup, honey, and glucose syrup all add body, creaminess, and stability to ice cream, and a little goes a long way.

What makes ice cream creamy and not icy? ›

Here are some tips for making creamy, non-icy homemade ice cream: Use plenty of fat - A good ice cream base should contain ample fat, usually from dairy like cream, whole milk, or egg yolks. More fat means a smoother texture. Cook the base - Heating the ice cream base deactivates enzymes that can make ice cream icy.

Is it worth it to make your own ice cream? ›

Texture: Most people said the homemade ice cream seemed softer and fluffier, and it melted a little faster than the supermarket sample. Flavour: Our testers found the homemade sample's flavour was more subtle – which was considered a good or bad thing depending on the person.

Why is my homemade ice cream so hard? ›

the amount and/or type of sugar used in the recipe. From what I've experienced and also understand from others involved in ice cream making, concentrated sugar depresses the freezing point of ice cream, so too little an amount of sugar in the recipe makes it too hard and too much makes it too soft.

What chocolate does Magnum ice cream use? ›

As the chocolatiers of ice cream, Magnum ice cream uses only the highest quality ingredients and every Duet cracking shell is made with Belgium chocolate. Indulge in four flavors: Almond Duet, Chocolate Duet, Cookie Duet, and Caramel Duet, and enjoy twice the indulgence and chocolate in every bite.

Why is Dutch chocolate ice cream so good? ›

It's made with rich cocoa powder that gives it an intense flavor, unlike any other type of ice cream.

What is the best cocoa powder for ice cream? ›

A little goes a long way, but nothing provides you with the deep and rich chocolate flavor that is ideal when you're making chocolate ice cream. And there is no better cocoa powder for this task than Dutch-process cocoa powder.

What makes ice cream light and fluffy? ›

Soft serve gets its characteristic lightness from its air content. Generally, soft serve has less fat and more air than hard serve ice cream. It is also served at warmer temperatures, giving the dessert its softness.

What ingredient makes ice cream thick? ›

Egg Yolks: The most traditional thickening agent, egg yolks contain natural proteins and fats that contribute to a rich and luxurious texture in custard-based ice creams. Cornstarch: Often used in non-custard ice creams, cornstarch mixed with milk helps thicken the base and create a smooth mouthfeel.

What gives ice cream its soft texture? ›

What makes ice cream smooth and silky? Common stabilizers used in ice cream, such as guar gum, carob bean gum and cellulose gum, function to reduce the degree of ice crystal growth by influencing viscosity and other rheological properties, thus limiting the mobility of water in the unfrozen aqueous portion.

Do eggs make ice cream creamier? ›

Eggs leverage the fat already present in the ice cream base (the butterfat in cream and milk) and make it work even further for a creamier texture. But wait, there's more! Egg yolks also improve the stability of an ice cream, reducing its tendency to melt before you can get it from freezer to cone to mouth.

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