Decadent Salted Caramel Bourbon Fudge Brownie Ice Cream: Your Ultimate Homemade Indulgence
Prepare for a dessert revelation! This incredible Salted Caramel Bourbon Fudge Brownie Ice Cream isn’t just good; it’s a profound culinary experience. So profound, in fact, that it has graced my dessert bowl every single night lately. And once you taste it, you’ll understand exactly why it’s become a nightly ritual. This isn’t just another ice cream recipe; it’s a handcrafted masterpiece designed to captivate your taste buds and soothe your soul, offering a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and a hint of warming bourbon.
Friends, get ready to churn your way to pure bliss because I’ve crafted something truly special for you: Salted Caramel Bourbon Fudge Brownie Ice Cream. The name alone promises an explosion of flavors and textures, and it absolutely delivers. This isn’t your average scoop; it’s a bold, intensely delicious creation that means business. If you’re not prepared for a full-blown ice cream obsession, a daily craving that calls your name from the freezer, then I might gently suggest you reconsider. But if you’re ready to surrender to daily indulgence, embracing every spoonful of this gourmet delight, then grab your ice cream maker and let’s get started!
Before we dive into the glorious details of this dessert, I must share a rather embarrassing, yet undeniably humorous, anecdote. The other day, I experienced something no one ever wants to witness: my little brother in the nude. To make matters worse, he was mid-shower. My retinas, I assure you, are still in therapy from the ordeal!
Seriously, witnessing a family member in the shower is a truly traumatic experience that I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. It’s an awkward memory that will likely haunt me forever. Allow me to paint a vivid picture of how this regrettable incident unfolded:
I was enjoying a relaxing weekend visit at my parents’ house, and nature was calling – quite urgently, I might add. Their cozy home has just one bathroom, which, of course, was occupied by my brother, who had announced he was heading in for a shower. A few tense moments later, I heard the tell-tale creak of the bathroom door opening. My internal monologue immediately screamed, “Hallelujah! My moment has arrived! Freedom for my bladder!” I cautiously peeked around the corner and, to my delight, confirmed the bathroom door was indeed ajar. Thinking he must have momentarily stepped out to grab a forgotten towel or soap, I decided to seize the opportunity and pop in real quick to use the facilities.
The moment I crossed the threshold, my eyes darted up, and there he was – standing unapologetically in the shower. A primal scream erupted from my throat as I whipped around, my face contorting in horror. I bolted out of the bathroom as fast as humanly possible, but not before my flailing escape attempt led to a rather painful collision with the doorframe. My face took the brunt of it, adding insult to injury.
From the kitchen, my mom’s voice echoed with concern, “What in the world are you screaming about now?!” Being a naturally boisterous person, my dramatic outburst wasn’t entirely out of character, so she probably didn’t suspect the true horror. Meanwhile, my brother, blissfully oblivious to the entire debacle, continued his shower. And I? I was a babbling, hyperventilating mess, muttering incoherently about “my eyes,” “can’t unsee that,” “why,” and “so wet.” Ugh! The sheer awkwardness was overwhelming.
And, believe it or not, it was all the dog’s fault! Yes, the dog! My brother owns an incredibly clever German Short-Haired Pointer named Gauge. This canine genius has not only figured out how to open doors but also how to unlock them. Gauge has made it his personal mission to accompany my brother into the bathroom during showers. It’s been his routine since he was a puppy, a peculiar habit that has become “his thing.” When I visit, Gauge is usually a whirlwind of excitement, bouncing around the house, which means he’s rarely confined to a single room. Given that he had been in the kitchen with my mom and me just moments before, it hadn’t even crossed my mind that *he* might have been the one to nudge open the bathroom door.
But alas, the damage was done. The image is seared into my brain, and there’s no unseeing it. My brother remains blissfully unaware of my accidental peek, and I steadfastly refuse to ever enlighten him. Here’s hoping he never stumbles upon this blog post! It was in the aftermath of this shocking experience that I truly appreciated the therapeutic power of a truly outstanding dessert.
Luckily for me, a fresh batch of this heavenly Salted Caramel Bourbon Fudge Brownie Ice Cream was already stocked in the freezer, primed for any stress-eating emergency. And just for good measure, a bottle of bourbon patiently awaited me at the bar, ready to be shaken into a soothing Bourbon Grapefruit Cocktail. Sometimes, a double dose of boozy comfort is exactly what the doctor ordered after a particularly… *revealing* family visit.
Now, let’s turn our attention back to the star of the show: the making of this epic ice cream combination. While it does require a little bit of effort and might dirty a few extra dishes, I promise you, it is absolutely, unequivocally worth every single step. The rich, salted caramel base is nothing short of divine, its deep, complex sweetness perfectly balanced by a generous splash of bourbon. This isn’t just an addition; it’s the secret ingredient that elevates the caramel to an entirely new level of sophisticated deliciousness, creating an adult-friendly flavor profile that’s truly irresistible.
And then there are the delightful mix-ins: generous, chewy, fudgy chunks of homemade chocolate brownie pieces, perfectly complemented by the satisfying crunch of toasted Diamond of CaliforniaSlivered Almonds. These delectable additions are carefully sprinkled between layers of the creamy ice cream as it’s churned and frozen. The thoughtful balance of textures – the yielding softness of the brownie chunks against the crisp snap of the almonds – creates a symphony for your palate. It’s this delightful textural contrast that truly takes the cake… or rather, the ice cream, making each spoonful an exciting discovery. This is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience, a perfect blend of sweet, salty, creamy, chewy, and crunchy that you’ll crave again and again.
Salted Caramel Bourbon Fudge Brownie Ice Cream
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Ingredients
- 2 and 2/3 cups whole milk, divided
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 and 1/2 cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup toasted
- Diamond of California Slivered Almonds1 and 1/2 cup fudge brownie chunks, your favorite recipe
Instructions
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Whisk 2 tablespoons of the milk with the cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth.
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In a medium bowl, whisk the cream cheese and salt together until smooth.
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In a measuring cup with a spout, whisk together heavy cream and corn syrup.
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Heat the sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until melted and golden amber in color (see note below). The process happens quickly, so don’t stray to far from the stove. Remove the pan from the heat and, stirring constantly, SLOWLY add a small amount of the heavy cream mixture to the caramel–it will vigorously bubble and spurt, this is normal. Continue to slowly stir in the heavy cream mixture until it’s fully incorporated. A few small chunks of sugar floating around is normal.
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Return the pot to medium-high heat and add the milk. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, and allow the mixture to boil for 4 minutes exactly. Remove from the heat and slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry.
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Return the pot to the heat and bring the mixture back to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
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Slowly whisk the hot milk mixture into the cream cheese mixture until smooth. Whisk in the vanilla extract and bourbon. Strain the mixture through a sieve.
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Transfer the mixture to an airtight container. Chill for at least 8 hours, or overnight. Or, if you’re in a hurry, transfer the mixture to a gallon-sized freezer bag and submerge in an ice bath for 30 minutes.
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Pour the ice cream base into the frozen bowl of an ice cream maker. Spin until thick and creamy, about 25 minutes. Add a layer of ice cream to the bottom of freezer-safe container with a lid. Sprinkle over a layer of toasted almonds and fudge brownie chunks. Continue to layer until all of the ice cream is transferred over. Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours.
Notes
- Make sure your brownie chunks are completely chilled before adding them to the ice cream base. I recommend making your brownies the day (or a few days) before.
- For an extra indulgent twist, consider drizzling a bit more homemade salted caramel sauce over each serving.
- You can easily make the caramel base ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week, making assembly day even quicker.
If you like this decadent ice cream recipe, pin it to Pinterest!
Disclosure: Thank you to Diamond Nuts for sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting my site while I work with brands I use in my kitchen.