Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Caffeine Is My Friend

It's no secrect that coffee and I are best friends. I love it and it loves me. I don't like paying $5 per coffee drink but every now and again I need a fix and give in. We generally like to make espresso at home in our stovetop espresso pot, but that's usually only on the weekends with breakfast. When we do drink it, we like it lightly sweetened with raw sugar and half-n-half. It hits the spot every time. That's really the only time I can drink hot coffee, especially in this heat! When cooler weather comes, it'll be a different story but for now I'll stick to the sweet, cool and icy coffee drinks.

Keeping with the same theme of how I like my coffee, I decided to make David Lebovitz's Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream. Now I've never had a traditional Vietnamese coffee (strong coffee with sweetened condensed milk), but if it's anything like this ice cream, I'm quite sure I'd like it. There are only 3 ingredients in this ice cream- brewed espresso, sweetened condensed milk and half-n-half. That's it! Well actually you can add a fourth ingredient, a pinch of ground coffee, but I left that out since I wanted the ice cream to be completely smooth.

This ice cream could not be simpler. It comes together in a matter of minutes, you chill it thoroughly and put it in your ice cream maker. Mr. H is even more of a coffee junkie that I am and while he thought the espresso flavor really came through, he thought it was a little too sweet. It was sweet but if you savor it one spoonful at a time, not only will it last longer but it will fulfill your cravings and your sweet tooth. Blend a little ice cream with milk, ice and chocolate syrup and you have an awesome Mocha Frappe. Add caramel sauce in lieu of the chocolate and you'll have a Caramel Macchiato Frappe- yum!

Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream from The Perfect Scoop

Printer Friendly Version

  • 1 1/2 cups sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 1/2 cups brewed espresso or very strongly brewed coffee
  • 1/2 cup half-n-half
  • Big pinch of finely ground dark roast coffee (I omitted this)

Whisk together the condensed milk, espresso, half-n-half and ground coffee. Chill the mixture thoroughly (overnight) then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

32 comments:

Kerry said...

I randomly stumbled across your blog searching for carrot cake cookie recipes, but looking through your picture archive, there's so many recipes I would love to try! I'm entirely new to baking, so making ice cream seems like something I'd make a disaster of, but this looks delicious.

♥peachkins♥ said...

Perfect ice cream for me too!

Jenn Grigoryev (jenn of all trades) said...

Dude, now I'm really wishing I hadn't given away my ice cream maker. This looks SO YUMMY.

Cassie said...

Oh wow. YUM.

Keeley said...

I love coffee! Don't you love using your ice cream maker?

Smitten Sugar said...

This ice cream looks delicious! I wish I had some this morning to hope wake up and cool me off from all this heat!

Kim said...

Like every Lebovitz's recipes, this one is really good! Coffee ice cream is one of my all time favorite! Hmmmmmmmm, I want a bowl of it!

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

Great looking Ice Cream! This flavor has been on my to-do list forever, now I really want it :o)

vanillasugarblog said...

i was on a coffee detox for 3 weeks. and it lasted 3 weeks; cannot stay away form my friend espresso.
i made this ice once and added in smokey salted almonds to it--girl you must try that. fabulous!

From the Kitchen said...

Oh yes, Monica, I am a coffee lover--no sugar but plenty of half and half (no plain milk for this girl). I can drink several cups of the "real" thing and sleep like a baby. I do love Thai coffee which is sweet and sounds a bit like the Vietnamese coffee. I've just been thinking of making some ice cream and yours will be the one I'll be freezing up this weekend.

Best,
Bonnie

Sue said...

I love coffee and coffee drinks, but not usually coffee flavored foods (candies, ice creams). I think I'd like this one because it is made with real espresso. I have to get that little ice cream freezer out and start using it.

oneordinaryday said...

I made these popsicles last summer and Jim and I LOVED them. I tell you, that man knows his frozen treats.

Abby said...

I plan to buy an ice-cream maker next week with birthday money! This would be a treat my husband would love. (But I like the idea from the commenter above to make popsicles!)

Heather S-G said...

Aw yeah, me and coffee...we're old pals, too ;) YUM!!! I could totally go for some right now! Looks delish, plus it's simple...I like it.

Sherry G said...

No way! I just made espresso ice cream yesterday! It's almost completely gone; that's how much everyone in my family liked it. Coffee ice cream is the greatest concoction.

Julie said...

I could really use some caffeine right now, this looks like a super way to get it!

Memória said...

Wow. These photos are amazing, Monica! I love the overhead shots and the DOF. This recipe looks very simple, and the ice cream looks delicious.

tease-spoon of sugar said...

Just stumbled upon your blog - I love it! Great recipes and pictures. Just spent the better part of an hour reading and am now a follower. Keep baking!! There are so many treats on here I want to try!

Selba said...

One of the best coffee is the vietnamese one :) I probably should give a try to make the ice cream.

Love the way you snap the last picture!

Avril said...

Beautifully....BEAUTIFULLY done Monica!!! Can't wait to try this recipe out myself. :-)

p.s. I'd love to have coffee with you some day! Nothing better than sharing coffee with someone else....:-)

Lissaloo said...

I am coming over to your house next time I need a double shot of espresso! That looks wonderful, I remember seeing something about Vietnamese coffee and wanting to try it, it sounds so decadent :)

mbc said...

NOW isn't fast enough, Monica! I'm making this ASAP!

Unknown said...

Okay 1) I need an ice cream maker 2) can I come live with you????

This looks amazing. And you went straight to my heart with the coffee. Yum!!!

Laura said...

OH I LOVE THOSE ICED COFFEES-we get them at our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Anchorage :)

Beautiful job! Did you know I met David last year at BlogHer Food? Great guy :)

Jeanette said...

Monica,
Doug wants to know if you are going to do a top 30 post like you did last year. Those are some of his fav recipes. He has printed several to try in Saudi (with mixed results).
I have already made 2 of Mr. H's roasts and put in the freezer and have several others I am going to try when he comes home in October.

Sook said...

The color of the ice cream looks beautiful. I don't drink coffee but it is sure beautiful.

Selena said...

I have to make this! It looks so good!!!

Kerstin said...

What a perfect way to enjoy coffee in the summer :)

blackbookkitchendiaries said...

OMG! this looks amaizing. do you use Illy? that is my favorite. love your site!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I'm not a coffee drink but Joe is and oddly enough he doesn't like coffee ice cream. That's kinda weird isn't it? Especially as ice cream is the only treat he can't turn down. Glad I asked before I made some for him.
~ingrid

Sasha @ Global Table Adventure said...

After the day I had (lots of chores while it was beautiful out all day) I could seriously use a jolt of ice cream right now ;)

Natasha @ Saved by the Egg Timer said...

K, how did I miss this one? I have been on here many times scrolling through, well I am glad I found it now! I make Vietnamese Coffee all the time! My husband and I (and daughter) are going to love this!!! So love! The best Vietnamese coffee brand is the dark red box Trung Nguyen Gourmet Blend. I have 2 suitcases of fresh from Vietnam...want one!?! Email me your add :)

Related Posts with Thumbnails