Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream

Sure! Here’s a detailed recipe for making Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream at home. This recipe combines a creamy, strawberry-flavored ice cream with a crunchy, sweet topping made from golden Oreo cookies and freeze-dried strawberries.

Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Ice Cream:

• 2 cups heavy cream

• 1 cup whole milk

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced (or you can use strawberry puree for a smoother texture)

• 2 tablespoons strawberry jam (optional for extra flavor)

• A pinch of salt

For the Crunch Topping:

• 1 cup Golden Oreo cookies (about 12 cookies)

• 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries (can be found in most grocery stores or online)

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:

1. Make the Strawberry Ice Cream Base:

1. Prepare the Strawberries:

   • If you’re using fresh strawberries, wash and hull them, then chop them into small pieces.

   • If you want a smoother texture, you can also puree the strawberries using a blender or food processor. For a stronger strawberry flavor, you can add some strawberry jam to the puree.

2. Mix the Ice Cream Base:

   • In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt until the sugar is dissolved.

   • Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.

   • Gently fold in the prepared strawberries (or strawberry puree) into the mixture.

3. Churn the Ice Cream:

   • Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually around 20-25 minutes). The ice cream should be thick but still a bit soft at this point.

   • If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can pour the mixture into a large shallow dish and place it in the freezer. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture with a fork to break up ice crystals. Continue for about 4-5 hours, until it reaches a creamy, scoopable consistency.

2. Make the Crunch Topping:

1. Prepare the Oreo and Strawberry Crunch:

   • Place the Golden Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor or blender and pulse until they are finely crushed. You want small pieces, not powder. This should form a coarse crumb texture.

   • In a separate bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stove, and then stir in the sugar.

   • Add the crushed Oreo and strawberry mixture to the melted butter and sugar, and mix until everything is well-coated and slightly clumpy.

3. Assemble the Ice Cream:

1. Layer the Ice Cream and Crunch:

   • Once your ice cream is churned, layer it into a storage container.

   • After each layer of ice cream, sprinkle a generous amount of the Oreo-strawberry crunch topping on top.

   • Continue layering the ice cream and topping until you’ve used up all the ice cream and topping.

2. Freeze and Set:

   • Cover the container and freeze the assembled ice cream for at least 4 hours, or until it is firm and scoopable.

4. Serve and Enjoy!

• Once the ice cream has fully set, scoop it into bowls or cones. Enjoy the creamy strawberry ice cream combined with the delicious crunch topping for a perfect treat!

Tips:

• For Extra Creaminess: If you want a richer texture, you can substitute the whole milk with half-and-half or use all heavy cream.

• Flavor Variations: You can experiment with other freeze-dried fruits like raspberries or blueberries for a different crunch flavor.

• Without an Ice Cream Maker: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, just follow the method I mentioned for freezing and stirring every 30 minutes. It may take a little longer but it will still work out!