Diary of a Foodie

Bacon-and-Egg Ice Cream

Diary of a Foodie: Season One: Science of Deliciousness

Makes1 Quart
  • Active Time:30 min
  • Start to Finish:4 hr (includes freezing)
January 2007
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  • 8 bacon slices (1/2 lb)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Special equipment:

    an instant-read thermometer, an ice cream maker
  • Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Arrange bacon slices in 1 layer (not overlapping) on rack of a large broiler pan. Bake 15 minutes. Turn slices over and sprinkle evenly with brown sugar. Continue to bake, checking bacon every 5 minutes, until bacon is crisp and deep golden, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer to parchment or brown paper (such as a grocery bag or butcher paper; see cooks' note, below) to drain.
  • Heat milk, cream, granulated sugar, and salt in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is hot.
  • Meanwhile, beat yolks in a medium bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until thick and pale. Reduce speed to low and add hot milk mixture in a stream, mixing until combined. Transfer custard to saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat back of a spoon and thermometer registers 170 to 175°F (do not let boil). Stir in vanilla.
  • Quick-chill custard by transferring it to a bowl set into a larger bowl of ice and cold water and stirring frequently until cold, about 15 minutes. Freeze custard in ice cream maker until almost firm. Meanwhile, cut bacon into 1/4-inch pieces.
  • Fold bacon into ice cream, then transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden, at least 2 hours.
Cooks' notes: Ice cream keeps 1 week. Don't be tempted to transfer bacon to paper towels to drain—the sugar will make the bacon stick to them.
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