The Best Ina Garten Rum Raisin Ricotta Ice Cream Recipe

Rum raisin ricotta ice cream transforms ordinary dessert expectations into a luxurious culinary experience.

Sweet memories of traditional Italian treats blend with sophisticated flavor profiles in this remarkable creation.

Golden raisins soaked in rich spirits elevate the creamy texture beyond standard frozen confections.

Silky smooth ingredients dance together, promising an indulgent moment of pure gastronomic pleasure.

Each carefully balanced component contributes depth and complexity to the final preparation.

The magical combination of ingredients whispers tales of refined comfort and unexpected delight.

Sophisticated palates will appreciate the nuanced layers of flavor waiting to unfold: prepare to be amazed.

Why Ina Garten’s Rum Raisin Ice Cream Pops

• Elevate Dessert Elegance: This rum raisin ricotta ice cream transforms a classic treat into a sophisticated, gourmet experience that feels like a luxurious restaurant-quality dessert right in your kitchen.
• Boost Flavor Complexity: The combination of golden raisins soaked in dark rum, creamy ricotta, and delicate extracts creates a multi-layered taste profile that dances between sweet, rich, and subtly boozy notes.
• Simplify Gourmet Preparation: Despite its impressive appearance, the recipe requires minimal cooking skills and basic kitchen equipment, making it accessible for home cooks who want to create something extraordinary without complex techniques.
• Customize Texture Perfection: The blending process ensures a silky-smooth consistency, while the rum-soaked raisins add delightful bursts of chewy texture that keep each bite interesting and exciting.

Rum Raisin Ice Cream Essentials

• Ricotta, Cream Cheese: Creamy base that provides rich and smooth texture for the ice cream.
• Sugar: Sweetens the ice cream and helps create a smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic notes to the dessert.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Dark Rum: Provides a sophisticated flavor and helps soak the raisins.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy texture.

• Golden Raisins: Sweet dried fruit that adds texture and a burst of flavor when soaked in rum.

Churning Up Ina Garten’s Ice Cream

Step 1: Soak Raisins In Rum

Gather golden raisins and dark rum in a small saucepan. Heat mixture until boiling, then remove from stove. Cover and let cool completely. Drain raisins, saving rum liquid for later use.

Step 2: Create Creamy Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Kosher salt
• Reserved rum

Use food processor to combine all ingredients. Slowly pour cold heavy cream while processing until mixture becomes silky smooth.

Step 3: Chill Mixture

Transfer blended mixture into quart-sized container. Refrigerate for minimum one hour or up to several days for deeper flavor development.

Step 4: Churn Ice Cream

Pour chilled mixture into ice cream maker. Follow manufacturer’s freezing instructions carefully. When ice cream reaches almost-frozen consistency, gently fold rum-soaked raisins throughout mixture.

Step 5: Final Freezing

Move churned ice cream into storage container. Freeze until completely firm. Before serving, allow ice cream to soften slightly at room temperature for easier scooping.

Cool Tips for Creamy Ice Cream

• Maximize Rum-Soaked Flavor: Soak raisins overnight in dark rum to ensure they're completely saturated, creating intense, boozy bursts throughout the ice cream.
• Select Premium Ricotta: Choose full-fat, high-quality ricotta for a silky-smooth texture that elevates the entire dessert's richness and mouthfeel.
• Chill for Creamy Perfection: Refrigerate the ice cream base for at least an hour before churning to guarantee a consistently smooth and luxurious final product.
• Master Ice Cream Maker Technique: Leave enough space in the machine for proper aeration, preventing overcrowding that can lead to dense, icy results.
• Gently Incorporate Raisins: Add rum-soaked raisins during the final moments of churning, carefully folding to distribute them evenly without crushing their plump texture.

Store Your Ice Cream Like a Chef

• Sealed Container Method: Choose a high-quality, truly airtight glass or hard plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and unwanted ice crystal formation. Wrap the container's exterior with plastic wrap for an extra layer of protection against moisture and odor absorption.
• Flavor Preservation Technique: Position the ice cream container in the coldest part of your freezer, typically at the back, away from the door to maintain consistent temperature and prevent frequent temperature fluctuations that can compromise texture and taste.
• Portioning Strategy: If planning to store for extended periods, divide the ice cream into smaller portions using individual serving containers. This approach allows you to thaw only what you need, keeping the remaining batch pristine and preventing repeated temperature changes that could degrade the ice cream's delicate texture.

Rum Raisin Flavor Upgrades

• Citrus Splash Ricotta: Swap rum for fresh orange and lemon zest, adding bright, tangy notes to the creamy base. Use orange liqueur instead of dark rum for deeper citrus flavor.
• Chocolate Chip Rum Crunch: Mix in dark chocolate chips and toasted almond slivers during the final churning. Drizzle melted dark chocolate throughout the ice cream for extra richness.
• Spiced Caramel Raisin Swirl: Incorporate homemade caramel sauce and a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. Fold caramel ribbons through the partially frozen ice cream for a decadent texture contrast.
• Mediterranean Fig Variation: Replace raisins with chopped dried figs soaked in marsala wine. Add a touch of honey and ground cardamom to enhance the exotic flavor profile.

Scoop Out Some Final Ice Cream Notes

Ina Garten’s rum raisin ricotta ice cream whispers culinary sophistication with each luxurious spoonful.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together in perfect harmony, creating a dessert that transcends ordinary expectations.

Rich ricotta provides creamy depth while rum-soaked raisins add surprising complexity to each bite.

Complex flavor profiles merge seamlessly, showcasing Garten’s masterful recipe development skills.

Chilled perfection awaits those who embrace this sophisticated frozen treat.

Sweet memories emerge with each silky scoop – share this delightful recipe, comment on its brilliance, and spread delicious inspiration across your social networks!

Ina Garten Rum Raisin Ricotta Ice Cream Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s rum raisin ricotta ice cream blends Italian elegance with Caribbean charm. Rich, creamy ricotta meets plump raisins soaked in dark rum, creating a sophisticated dessert you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 15 ounces (1⅔ cups) fresh whole-milk ricotta
• 3 ounces cream cheese, diced
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup cold heavy cream

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract
• Kosher salt

Additional Ingredients:

• ¾ cup golden raisins
• ½ cup dark rum (such as Mount Gay)

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Instructions

1. Infuse raisins with a boozy touch by combining golden raisins and dark rum in a small saucepan. Heat to a gentle boil, then remove from heat. Cover and allow to cool completely. Drain the raisins, preserving the aromatic rum liquid for later use.
2. Create a luxurious base by combining ricotta cheese, cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, kosher salt, and the reserved rum in a food processor. Pulse until ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
3. Stream cold heavy cream into the mixture while processing, blending until the texture becomes silky and uniform. Continue processing until the mixture reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
4. Transfer the liquid mixture to a quart-sized container (approximately 946 milliliters or 32 fluid ounces). Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, or up to 48 hours for enhanced flavor development.
5. Prepare the ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Pour the chilled mixture into the machine and churn until it reaches a soft-serve consistency, typically 20-25 minutes.
6. During the final moments of churning, gently fold the previously rum-soaked raisins into the partially frozen ice cream, ensuring even distribution.
7. Carefully transfer the freshly churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Smooth the surface with a spatula and seal tightly. Freeze for 4-6 hours until firm and scoopable.
8. Before serving, allow the ice cream to rest at room temperature for 3-5 minutes to soften slightly, enabling easier scooping.

Notes

• Elevate rum-soaked raisins by letting them marinate overnight, ensuring maximum flavor absorption and plumpness.
• Choose whole-milk ricotta to guarantee a silky-smooth texture that prevents any unwanted graininess in your final dessert.
• Refrigerate the ice cream base thoroughly before churning to create a perfectly uniform mixture with minimal ice crystal formation.
• Maintain optimal ice cream maker capacity by filling only two-thirds full, allowing proper aeration and achieving that dreamy, light consistency.
• Carefully incorporate rum-infused raisins during the final moments of churning, preserving their delicate structure and ensuring even distribution throughout the creamy base.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks, Drinks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: ⅔ cup (131g)
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 26g
• Sodium: 65mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 85mg