Velvety Caramel Iced Coffee Ice Cream

Craving the perfect union of your morning pick-me-up and a delightful dessert? Look no further than Caramel Iced Coffee Ice Cream – an exquisite creation that delivers all the rich, smooth flavor of your favorite iced coffee, transformed into a luxuriously creamy frozen treat. Imagine savoring the decadent sweetness of caramel intertwined with the bold essence of coffee, all in a single scoop. This recipe isn’t just an ice cream; it’s an experience, a celebration for coffee lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike, especially as the warmer months approach.

Contents

The Unrivaled Allure of Coffee and Caramel

My passion for coffee runs deep; it’s a ritual that kickstarts every single day. The invigorating aroma, the comforting warmth – it’s an indispensable part of my routine. But when the temperatures rise, my beloved hot brew often makes way for its cooler cousin: iced coffee. There’s something undeniably refreshing about a perfectly chilled coffee, offering that much-needed caffeine boost while simultaneously cooling you down. And what could possibly elevate this already fantastic beverage? The addition of International Delight’s Iced Coffee, available in several truly fantastic flavors that make crafting an exceptional iced coffee at home effortlessly simple.

Among all the delightful coffee concoctions, the caramel macchiato holds a special place in my heart. Its harmonious blend of robust espresso, creamy milk, and luscious caramel drizzle is simply irresistible. Caramel itself is a profound weakness of mine; its buttery, sweet notes can transform any dessert into a masterpiece. Combine that with a silky, cold coffee drink, and I am transported straight to culinary heaven. The convenience of pre-made iced coffee, especially one crafted with the perfect balance of flavors, makes indulging in this passion even easier.

Gone are the days of laboring over homemade cold brew concentrate just to enjoy a refreshing iced coffee. International Delight has revolutionized the experience with their fantastic line of ready-to-pour iced coffees. These brilliant blends feature a harmonious mix of coffee and creamer, expertly prepared and ready to be poured directly over ice for instant gratification. It’s the ultimate shortcut to a consistently delicious iced coffee, saving you time and effort without compromising on taste.

You can find four incredible new flavors currently gracing your grocery store shelves: Original Coffee, classic Vanilla, rich Mocha, and my absolute favorite, Caramel Macchiato. They’ve arrived just in time to become the quintessential companion for those long, hot summer days. My husband and I are utterly smitten with this iced coffee. Its creamy texture and perfectly balanced sweetness make it an absolute delight. The Caramel Macchiato, in particular, strikes an ideal equilibrium between the invigorating coffee and the comforting caramel. It has swiftly become my go-to beverage, and I confess, I am completely obsessed!

Elevating the Experience: Caramel Iced Coffee Ice Cream

Given my deep love for International Delight’s Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee, the question naturally arose: could this already perfect beverage be made even better? I believe I’ve done just that. Allow me to introduce you to the unparalleled pleasure of Caramel Iced Coffee Ice Cream. This isn’t just an ordinary dessert; it’s a testament to how creative culinary exploration can transform the familiar into something truly extraordinary.

Yes, I took that amazing, ready-to-drink caramel iced coffee and churned it into a perfectly creamy, homemade ice cream, complete with luscious drizzles of extra caramel sauce. Prepare yourself, because this ice cream is designed to knock your socks off. To ensure the coffee flavor truly shines through amidst the creamy base, I incorporated a half-teaspoon of instant coffee granules into the mixture. This subtle addition amplifies the robust coffee notes, creating a deeply satisfying flavor profile that is both complex and incredibly comforting. The result is a dessert that captures the very essence of a caramel macchiato, but in a refreshing, frozen form.

Caramel Iced Coffee Ice Cream

Caramel Iced Coffee Ice Cream – have your iced coffee and your ice cream in one amazing dessert!

Author:
Anna

Prep Time:
2 hrs 25 mins

Total Time:
16 mins (Churning/Active Time, plus chilling/freezing)

Course:
Dessert

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
6 people

Calories:
348 kcal

Ingredients

14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1 cup International Delight’s Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee
2 c whipped topping (like Cool Whip) or freshly whipped cream
½ tsp instant coffee granules, optional (for enhanced coffee flavor)
½ c caramel sauce (for mixing and drizzling)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and the International Delight Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee until well combined and smooth.
Gently fold in half of the whipped topping into the coffee mixture. Mix until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix and deflate the topping.
Add the remaining whipped topping and continue to stir gently until no streaks of the whipped topping remain. The mixture should be uniformly creamy and light.
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This crucial step ensures the ice cream base is cold enough for proper churning.
Once your ice cream mixture is thoroughly chilled, stir in the instant coffee granules. This optional step significantly enhances the overall coffee flavor, making it bolder and more pronounced.
Pour the chilled ice cream mixture into your ice cream maker. Churn the mixture according to your manufacturer’s specific directions. Churning times can vary, but typically range from 15-30 minutes, resulting in a soft-serve consistency.
Scrape the freshly churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container. Drizzle the ½ cup of caramel sauce generously over the surface of the ice cream, using a knife or spoon to create appealing swirls.
At this stage, the ice cream will have a delightful soft-serve consistency, perfect for immediate enjoyment. For a firmer, scoopable ice cream, cover the container and freeze for at least 8 hours, or ideally, overnight.

Nutrition

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The Secret to Unbelievable Creaminess and Flavor

This Caramel Iced Coffee Ice Cream is, without exaggeration, the best ice cream I have ever had. What makes it so exceptional? Its incredible creaminess, which might surprise you, given that this recipe is egg-free. Many traditional ice cream recipes rely on egg yolks for richness and a smooth texture, but this concoction achieves a velvety, melt-in-your-mouth consistency thanks to the clever combination of sweetened condensed milk and whipped topping. The whipped topping introduces a light, airy quality that gives the ice cream an almost mousse-like texture – a delightful departure from denser, heavier ice creams.

The absence of eggs simplifies the preparation process, making this a more approachable recipe for home cooks, while still delivering a gourmet-quality dessert. The instant coffee granules, though optional, play a crucial role in deepening the coffee flavor. Since the base is quite creamy and sweet, a little extra coffee essence ensures that the signature iced coffee taste isn’t lost but rather amplified, creating a balanced and robust profile. Each spoonful is a perfect harmony of sweet, creamy, and coffee-infused bliss, making it truly worth getting obsessed about.

Tips for the Perfect Scoop

Chill Thoroughly: Do not skip the chilling step for the ice cream base. A properly chilled mixture will churn more efficiently and result in a smoother, creamier ice cream with smaller ice crystals.
Quality Ingredients: While International Delight’s Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee is highly recommended for its convenience and flavor, ensure your sweetened condensed milk and whipped topping are fresh for the best results.
Enhance Coffee Flavor: If you’re a true coffee aficionado and prefer a bolder taste, consider adding a full teaspoon of instant coffee granules, or even a shot of espresso to the mixture before churning. Just be mindful not to add too much liquid.
Caramel Swirl: For an impressive visual and an extra burst of caramel in every bite, drizzle the caramel sauce into the ice cream as you’re scraping it into the freezer container. A few gentle swirls with a knife will distribute it beautifully.
Freezing Time: While the ice cream is delicious at a soft-serve consistency, allow adequate freezing time (8 hours or overnight) for it to firm up into a scoopable texture.
Warm Your Scoop: For easier scooping of very firm ice cream, run your ice cream scoop under hot water for a few seconds before digging in.

Creative Variations to Try

While the Caramel Iced Coffee Ice Cream is phenomenal as is, it also serves as a fantastic base for experimentation:

Chocolate Drizzle: Swap out half of the caramel for a rich chocolate sauce, or add both for a mocha caramel experience.
Nutty Crunch: Fold in toasted chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for added texture and a nutty flavor complement.
Cookie Crumbles: Crush some chocolate sandwich cookies or shortbread cookies and swirl them into the ice cream for a delightful crunch.
Different Iced Coffee Flavors: Don’t limit yourself to Caramel Macchiato! Experiment with International Delight’s Vanilla or Mocha Iced Coffee for different flavor profiles. Imagine a Vanilla Iced Coffee Ice Cream with white chocolate chips!
Boozy Kick: For an adult treat, a tablespoon or two of coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa or Baileys) can be added to the mixture before churning, adding an extra layer of complexity.

Serving Suggestions and Storage

This incredible ice cream is versatile in how it can be served. Enjoy it simply scooped into a chilled bowl or a crisp waffle cone. For an extra touch of indulgence, top it with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, an additional drizzle of caramel sauce, a sprinkle of chocolate shavings, or even a dusting of cocoa powder. It also makes a fantastic accompaniment to warm brownies, apple pie, or alongside a fresh fruit tart.

To store your homemade Caramel Iced Coffee Ice Cream, ensure it’s in an airtight container in the coldest part of your freezer. This will help prevent ice crystal formation and freezer burn, keeping it fresh and creamy for up to two weeks. If it becomes too hard, simply let it sit on the counter for a few minutes before serving to soften slightly.

This recipe transforms a beloved beverage into an unforgettable dessert. It’s the perfect way to beat the heat, satisfy a sweet tooth, and celebrate your love for coffee all at once. The ease of preparation, combined with the rich, complex flavors, makes it an instant classic in any home. So go ahead, whip up a batch, and prepare to be utterly smitten with your new favorite frozen treat!

This article is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.