Maple Bacon Ice Cream
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Maple Bacon Ice Cream consists of maple ice cream topped with crispy bacon bits. It has that sweet and salty combination we have all come to love.
Maple syrup-covered pancakes with bacon and eggs might be a popular breakfast dish, but there are more possibilities for this duo of ingredients. How about turning them into an ice cream?
Creamy Maple Bacon Ice Cream is the perfect reminiscent of breakfast but in a creamy scoopable dessert. It is basically maple ice cream topped with crispy bacon bits. The sweetness of maple syrup and the savory saltiness of bacon are incredible together. The two together create one incredible bowl that hits all the right flavors. The crispy bacon bits also add a nice crunch to the ice cream.
This ice cream is a perfect blend of sweet and savory but sort of breakfast and dessert. It is great served on its own. Or serve a scoop on top of a waffle.
Ingredients You Need
Maple Ice Cream
- Heavy cream. Choose full-fat heavy cream instead of half and half.
- Whole milk. For the richest flavor, you want to use whole milk. That fat content is important to creating the perfect creamy base,
- Egg yolks. Add richness and stabilize the ice cream.
- Pure maple syrup. To sweeten and our main ingredient in this recipe.
- Xanthan gum. It is a stabilizer to enhance the texture and taste of ice cream by adding creaminess.
- Vanilla extract. To enhance the flavor.
Crispy Bacon Bits
- Bacon. The star of the recipe. Make sure to cook it until it is crunchy, then drain it well.
How to Store the Bacon Bits
I love to cook a whole pack of bacon at a time and have the crispy bacon bits not only as the ice cream topper but also for sprinkling on salads, omelets, or for use in mac and cheese recipes. If you aren’t able to use all of the bacon immediately, the bacon bits can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
It is a good idea to press out as much air as possible from the container or bag before sealing it. This will help to prevent the bacon bits from becoming stale.
For longer storage, you can freeze bacon bits for up to 3 months. You can spread them out on a baking sheet, freeze them until they are hard, and then transfer them to an airtight container or plastic bag. When ready to use them, take out the desired amount and allow them to thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the freezing and thawing process may change the texture and consistency of bacon bits, making them less crispy.
More Maple Recipes
Ingredients
- Maple ice cream
- Bacon slices, partially frozen
- Maple syrup, for drizzling
Instructions
- The bacon slices need to be partially frozen so that they are easier to cut. If your bacon slices are at room temperature, freeze them for 10-15 minutes. They should be very cold and a little firmer than straight out of the refrigerator, but you don’t necessarily want them icy.
- Stack the bacon slices directly on top of one another in piles that are thin enough that your knife can cut through. Slice lengthwise thinly. Then, cut horizontally into small chunks. Cut them as thin and tiny as possible.
- Heat a frying pan on medium heat until hot. Add bacon pieces and spread them out in the pan. Stir and cook the bacon until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain the excess oil using a strainer.
- Leave the bacon bits to cool completely before using.
- Scoop maple ice cream into serving glasses or bowls. Top with the crispy bacon bits. Drizzle with maple syrup if preferred.
