Rich, dark, ultra-smooth, and creamy chocolate meets a hint of orange in a sweet ice cream like no other you’ve ever tasted. If you’re skeptical of the chocolate and citrus combination, one taste will be all it takes to convince you.
What is it about being on vacation that allows us to indulge a little more? We forget about the calories, and dive into each meal, not caring about how many extra minutes it might cost on the treadmill or whether or not we really should be eating ice cream after both lunch and dinner. There’s something ultra-relaxing and peaceful in the vacation mindset.
While we were vacationing this summer, we ate a lot of ice cream, a heck of a lot of ice cream. There is so much evidence of that in my Instagram photos, it’s kind of laughable. I wanted to remember each flavor and each wonderful place we visited; and as a result many pictures were taken.
We tried a Chocolate Orange flavored ice cream while we were in Montreal and Sean declared it the best one he tried throughout our vacation.
It really was fantastic. So, naturally, I couldn’t resist trying my hand at recreating it. Four (maybe it was five ?) batches later, this ice cream has been declared one of Sean’s all time favorites.
Dark Chocolate Orange Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup special dark unsweetened cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whisk together the sugar, cream, milk, cocoa, cinnamon, salt, and orange zest in a medium size saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer while stirring occasionally for 2 minutes. Add the chocolate chips and continue stirring while the chocolate melts. Remove from the heat and stir in the orange juice and vanilla extract. Let cool and then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream machine and process according to the manufacturer's directions. Enjoy!
Notes
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY: Italian Corn Soup with Sausage
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY: Chicken Tikka Masala
THREE YEARS AGO TODAY: Easy Homemade Mayonnaise with Olive Oil
Nimisha Thuluvath says
Hi
Kyle L says
This recipe is incredible! The texture of the ice cream is perfection; as good as anything ice cream parlour serves up.
I used slightly less orange juice and more orange zest. I also used Lindt dark chocolate that has little crunchy bits of hazelnut. One of the best ice creams I’ve ever eaten.
Steve says
I have been looking for Chocolate Orange Ice Cream since our local ice cream shop stopped carrying it, 🙁 – can’t wait to give this a shot this weekend. Thanks!
Mary Younkin says
I hope you love it, Steve!
Caroline says
Hi Mary!
I loved the richness of the chocolate ice-cream, but would prefer a stronger orange flavour. I had followed your exact recipe and used fresh orange juice and orange zest. Could you suggest any tweaks or additions to the recipe which would increase the orange flavour? Thanks! 🙂
Mary Younkin says
Hi Caroline! I’m so glad that you like the ice cream. For a richer orange flavor, I’d play with adding a bit more zest, or even a small amount of orange extract.
Colin Lockett says
I’ve just made this, virtually to the recipe, added 2 teaspoons of orange essence for that extra orange taste. This is a serious chocolate ice cream packed with flavour with a hint of orange,.
I’ve made several batches of chocolate ice cream over the last 6 months and this is easily the best. Will definitely be making more.
Thanks for the recipe.
Now looking for a serious Strawberry recipe..
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you are enjoying the ice cream, Colin!
Tom says
Forgot to add the sugar, but really didn’t need it as used an orange and almond chocolate bar which, I’m guessing, had quite a bit of sweetness in it already. Was also very generous with my orange zest.
Incredible, rich and delicious ice cream!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you love the ice cream, Tom!
Whitey says
Great combo of ingredients! I used fresh oranges, but to make things simpler, I just combined all the ingredients instead of simmering them. While it may have sacrificed some of the chocolate flavor it was still fantastic!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the ice cream, Whitney.
Dilkash B. Ahmed says
I have been longing for my all-time favorite Dutch Orange Chocolate ice cream from Herrell’s in Cambridge, Mass. where I last had it in 1989!!! 30 years later the taste still lingers in my mouth. Thank you for posting this recipe. When I make it, I am going to use a few drops of doTERRA Wild Orange Essential Oil and dark Lindt Chocolate that comes in various concentration of cocoa content. How much cocoa content I’m looking for in the chocolate?
Mary Younkin says
That’s really up to your preference. You can make this with semi-sweet chocolate. We typically use 60%, but you can go as dark as you personally like.
Courtney says
Your site is now my go-to for homemade ice cream! Loved the rocky road recipe, and when I searched for a chocolate orange ice cream, your blog came up again, so I knew I had to try it! My mom and I still dream about Swensen’s Swiss Orange Chip ice cream, so I made this and added in some orange chocolate chips (semisweet chocolate melted and mixed with some orange zest, then spread on parchment paper and refrozen then chopped). Amazing! I might half the cinnamon next time, but otherwise it is perfection! Contemplating whether I can get away with ice cream for breakfast tomorrow…
M. Wild says
This was out of this world!! Thanks for a delicious indulgence
Mary Younkin says
You are welcome.
Martha says
Sublime. My favorite, by far
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad to hear it, Martha.