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Home ·  Recipes

Caramelized Fig and Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: Sep 9, 2015Updated: Jun 28, 2019
View Recipe28 Reviews
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

This caramelized fig and chocolate chunk ice cream uses a vanilla ice cream base and loads it with the delicious flavors of autumn!

Caramelized Fig and Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Happy unofficial end of summer!

I don’t think Los Angeles got the memo. It still feels like summer here with temperatures well into the 90s and 100s this week.

I’m not complaining. My freezer is stocked with whiskey yogurt fig popsicles and my new favorite fig obsession- caramelized fig and chocolate chunk ice cream.

I have accepted that I must move on to fall baking (for Pinterest’s sake). 

It just feels so strange to see apple and pumpkin (and even peppermint!) desserts popping up on social media. It’s too soon. I need another week or two. I need more ice cream.Caramelized Fig and Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Caramelized Fig and Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

To make this delicious ice cream, I used my favorite vanilla base and loaded it with chopped caramelized figs and chocolate chunks.

I love ice cream that’s full of surprises. You get crunch from the large chunks of chocolate and sweet, chewy and maple-y goodness from the caramelized figs.

And to round it all together, wonderfully rich and creamy vanilla ice ream.

Vanilla, figs, and chocolate make a terrific combo. They provide enough contrasting flavors to keep you wanting more.

Caramelized Fig and Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Caramelized Figs:

Caramelized figs are such a wonderful treat by themselves. Imagine the sweet flavors of fresh figs intensified by the contrasting slight bitterness of caramelized sugar. It’s dreamy.

It sounds fancy, but it’s a simple process. Melt butter in skillet then add sugar. Once sugar is melted, add the figs. The heat will soften the figs and caramelize the sugar.

Allow to cool and chop the figs into smaller, bite-sized chunks. That’s it! 

Caramelized Fig and Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

September has become so bittersweet for me. For so much of my life, September has meant going back to school. I graduated from college 8 years ago (GOSH, that makes me feel old), yet I still get excited when I see notebooks, pens, and highlighters on sale.

Oh well, I may not be a student anymore. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a couple scoops of this caramelized fig and chocolate chunk ice cream as an afternoon snack.

Caramelized Fig and Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Caramelized Fig and Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Vanilla ice cream base loaded with chopped caramelized figs and dark chocolate chunks.
Yield: about 1 quart
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Chill Time: 12 hours hours
Total Time: 12 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup + 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste, or pure vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup roughly chopped dark chocolate
  • caramelized figs (recipe follows)

Caramelized Figs:

  • 8 oz fresh figs, halved
  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 3 Tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • pinch kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • In a medium pot, bring milk, cream and 2 Tbsp sugar to a boil.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together remaining 1/3 cup sugar and yolks. Once milk mixture has come to a boil, lower heat. Temper hot milk into sugar-yolk mixture. Slowly add hot milk into yolks about 1/4 cup at a time, whisking to distribute heat. Once all the milk has been added to yolk, transfer all contents back to the pot.
  • Stir over medium-low heat until mixture reaches nappe consistency, or 180 degrees F on a kitchen thermometer. Stir frequently to ensure mixture does not burn at the bottom. Let mixture sit at 180 degrees F for 3 minutes to pasteurize eggs. Remove from heat and add vanilla paste. Stir to combine.
  • Transfer mixture to an airtight container and let mature in the fridge overnight. Freeze mixture in ice cream maker according to your unit's instructions. Once the volume has increased by half and has reached a soft serve consistency, add in chopped chocolate and caramelized figs. Let run for another 3 minutes to distribute fillings. Transfer ice cream to an airtight container and let rest in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Caramelized Figs:

  • Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add sugar and stir to combine. Add halved figs to skillet. Toss in sugar-butter mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until figs have softened and mixture is jam-like in texture. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Roughly chop figs into a smaller chunks. Store in the fridge until ready to use.

Notes

I use this compressor ice cream maker. 
Author: Maryanne Cabrera
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: fig ice cream, caramelized fig dessert, chocolate fig ice cream
Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean.

Caramelized Fig and Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

28 Reviews
Filed in:
Ice CreamChocolate · Frozen · Fruits · Spring + Summer · Sweet

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Reader Questions and Reviews

  1. Jen says:
    September 9, 2015

    I am loving all of your fig desserts. I’ve yet to work with fig but I’m thinking I need to change that soon. This ice cream looks so yum!

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      Thanks Jen! Get them while they’re still around! :)

  2. Sarah | Broma Bakery says:
    September 9, 2015

    Absolutely brilliant. Can we start an ice cream shop and sell exotic flavors together?

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      um…YES, PLEASE! We’ll open locations in LA and Boston and dominate the ice cream market ;)

  3. Heather (Delicious Not Gorgeous) says:
    September 9, 2015

    this heat is killing me (and i’m sure norcal is a lot cooler than socal). fyi, if you remember in time, you can save the stuff you snapchat (the quality can be kind of meh, but at least then you can have the option to use it!) (:

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      I’ve tried saving snaps but yes! the quality is terrible. I need remember to just take normal photos/videos and then later upload them into snapchat ;)

      I really hope the weather starts to cool down asap!

  4. Caroline @ Pinch Me, I'm Eating says:
    September 9, 2015

    This looks super tasty! It’s been too long since I’ve made ice cream and I adore figs. Gotta get some while the gettin’s good! I might have to play with some figs this weekend. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      Thanks Caroline! Yes! Better get them while they’re still around! :)

  5. Lokness @ The Missing Lokness says:
    September 9, 2015

    I’m with you. It does get really confusing with that many social media accounts. Too many things to take care of. Anyhow, this ice cream sure is full of surprises. I haven’t really seen any ice cream with fig. Gotta share!

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      Thanks!! :)

  6. Annie @Maebells says:
    September 10, 2015

    How perfect is this ice cream?! I am in love!

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      Thanks Annie!! xoxo

  7. June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says:
    September 10, 2015

    What an awesome ice cream flavor that sounds like! Love those little waffle bowls too, looks like the perfect vessel for homemade ice cream :)

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      Thanks June! One of these days I’ll have to a get waffle maker… so I can make homemade waffles cones/bowls!!! yum.

  8. Holly @ 3 Yummy Tummies says:
    September 10, 2015

    I am inspired to get the ice cream maker out…this looks delicious! I love the idea of carmelized figs.

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      Thanks! Caramelized figs are the best!

  9. Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says:
    September 10, 2015

    Your dessert recipes floor me EVERY TIME! Another beautiful beautiful post!!

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      Aww, thanks so much Becky!

  10. Meg @ With Salt and Wit says:
    September 10, 2015

    Caramelized figs sound like pure heaven!

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      Yessss!

  11. eat good 4 life says:
    September 11, 2015

    How awesome does this look. I love figs. This looks so luxurious!

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      Thanks! :)

  12. Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner says:
    September 11, 2015

    I’ve really been figs this week and love you made it into ice cream – great idea and great recipe!

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 11, 2015

      Thanks Deb! :)

  13. Cathy Trochelman says:
    September 15, 2015

    I’m in love with figs and never would have put this delicious flavor together! Sounds amazing!

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 21, 2015

      Thanks Cathy! :)

  14. Jasmin says:
    September 17, 2015

    This ice cream with vanilla and caramelized figs sounds really like an ideal dessert to say good buy to a hot summer…

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      September 21, 2015

      Thanks Jasmin! This summer seems like it’s never going to end. Can’t wait for cooler temps :)

Maryanne Cabrera

Meet the Author

Maryanne Cabrera is a classically trained pastry chef, baker, cake maker, and cocktail shaker.
Read more about me

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