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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- During the final moments of churning, gently fold the previously rum-soaked raisins into the partially frozen ice cream, ensuring even distribution.
- 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.
- 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