Delish Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream

I make this because sometimes life needs frozen chocolate therapy with a fruit accent. Why it’s special: Delish Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream is the deliciously unhinged love child of rich chocolate and tart cherries — creamy, slightly indulgent, and excellent for pretending you’re sophisticated while eating straight from the tub. Try it because it actually tastes like you put effort into something, even if most of that effort was opening a jar of cherries and trying not to burn the saucepan.

My husband once bravely offered to “help” by adding what he claimed was “just a pinch” of espresso powder. He dumped half the jar in and blamed the dog. The kids tried to hide the cherry jar and failed spectacularly — cherry-stained fingerprints on the freezer door are now a permanent family portrait. I still let them taste-test (AKA spoon-steal) because if we’re going down the road of sticky fingers and chocolate-streaked faces, we might as well enjoy it.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use frozen cherries if you don’t feel like fighting pit-removal — slap them in a bowl, toss with a little sugar, and call it a day.
– Buy good-quality chocolate chips and microwave in short bursts for your chocolate swirl instead of tempering like a French pastry chef. Nobody will judge.
– Skip the tempering drama: whisk the eggs into warm milk slowly, but if you do it too fast, cry, then press on. The flavor survives more than your pride.
– Use one bowl for mixing where possible. Yes, this makes me nervous too, but fewer dishes = more spooning from the tub.

Serving Ideas

– Scoop into fancy bowls if you want to impress someone you barely like.
– Top with crushed pretzels or toasted almonds for salty contrast (and crunch for people who take food seriously).
– Serve with a splash of cold coffee or a coffee liqueur because adulting requires decisions.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts today. If your kids didn’t drive you nuts, what kind of liar are you?
– Or just hand someone a spoon and tell them to stand over the sink like I do when I’m not pretending to be elegant.

What to Serve It With

– Brownie crumbs, pound cake, or a warm chocolate chip cookie (melt-and-scoop action is mandatory).
– A drizzle of cherry syrup or extra cherry compote for people who insist on being extra.
– Espresso or an amaro for post-dinner sophistication, or a fizzy soda if you’re living on the edge.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t skip cooling the base before churning unless you enjoy chunky scrambled-egg ice cream. Yes, I’ve learned this the hard way.
– If your ice cream is icy, it probably needed more fat or less air; also, you might have eaten the churn halfway through — guilty as charged.
– If you melt the chocolate too hot, it’ll seize. Don’t be me. Keep it gentle and stir like you care.
– Swirl cherries in at the end for big pockets of joy instead of blending them until no one knows what they are anymore.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Freeze in a shallow, airtight container to reduce ice crystals. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing if you’re feeling detail-oriented.
– Label it with the date if you want to pretend you have a food system. Eat within 2 weeks for peak quality, but let’s be honest — it rarely lasts that long.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– For a boozy twist: macerate cherries in cherry liqueur, bourbon, or a splash of rum. Adds depth and excuses.
– Dairy-free: use full-fat coconut milk and reduce added liquids a touch. Texture will be slightly different but still very snackable.
– Chocolate intensity: use cocoa powder for a lighter cocoa tang, or dark chocolate for drama.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delish Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream

A delicious and creamy chocolate cherry ice cream that is perfect for summer!

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 2 cups heavy cream Use fresh cream for best results.
• ▢ 1 cup whole milk Whole milk helps to create a creamy texture.
• ▢ 0.75 cups sugar Adjust sweetness according to taste.
• ▢ 0.5 cups unsweetened cocoa powder Use high-quality cocoa for richer flavor.
• ▢ 1 cup cherries Pitted and chopped.

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and cocoa powder until well combined.
• Fold in the chopped cherries until evenly distributed.
• Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches soft-serve consistency.
• Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, consider adding chocolate chips or a drizzle of chocolate sauce before serving.