It's hard to beat the sweet-salty goodness of this indulgent yet light
caramel ice cream. Light ice cream has evolved from
its watery ice-milk days. In the
Test Kitchen, we like to get creative with ingredients and flavors, but
we hold fast to settling
for nothing less than smooth,
creamy, rich results.
Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk $
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar $
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter $
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon flake salt
Preparation
- 1. Place milk in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Heat to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge of pan (do not boil). Place egg yolks in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Gradually add half of hot milk to yolks, stirring constantly. Return yolk mixture to pan.
- 2. Combine sugar, cream, and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil, stirring until sugar melts. Cook 3 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat; stir in sea salt. Gradually add caramel mixture to yolk mixture, stirring constantly. Return pan to low heat; cook until a thermometer registers 160°. Place pan in a large ice-filled bowl until completely cooled, stirring occasionally. Pour mixture into the freezer can of an ice-cream freezer; freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Drain ice water from freezer bucket; repack with salt and ice. Cover with kitchen towels, and let stand 1 hour or until firm. Scoop about 1/2 cup ice cream into each of 10 dishes; sprinkle evenly with flake salt.