The Best Recipe for Smooth and Creamy Bahri Date Ice Cream Served with Pistachios and Ras el Hanout
Table of contents
DATE ICE CREAM
A date ice cream recipe made from soft gooey dates and date syrup. When we discovered Just Date syrup, the first thought was to try it in a date ice cream recipe. One of the secrets to keeping ice cream smooth and creamy is to use an invert syrup. We often use a neutral flavored syrup like corn syrup, but when we find something that will add more flavor we have to try it. We also needed a very soft date, and fortunately, there is a date grower, Flying Disc Ranch, selling at our local farmer’s market (they also sell online). The soft, gooey Barhi dates worked well in the ice cream, staying soft instead of freezing hard, even when we left some in larger pieces.
Bahri dates are a type of round, sweet dates that are native to the Middle East. They have an orange color and a caramel-like flavor that is rich and fruity, with a hint of honey. They are commonly eaten as a snack. Due to their unique, sweet flavor, Bahri dates can also be used to make desserts such as cakes, cookies, and in ice cream. They can also be chopped and used as an ingredient in baked goods, or added to cooked dishes to give them a touch of sweetness. They are high in fiber and antioxidants, making them a great addition to any healthy diet.
Ras el Hanout and pistachios would also make a great addition, but we served them as toppings.
USING THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR THE BEST DATE ICE CREAM RECIPE
We started with the best ingredients, and that’s what makes this the best date ice cream recipe. Brands vary in quality, so we have listed what we used.
RUM
Alcohol lowers the freezing point, keeping the ice cream smooth as it hardens. Too much, and the ice cream won’t freeze. One tablespoon of an 80 proof alcohol is needed. We used rum to add a little flavor to the recipe.
JUST DATE SYRUP
The recipe requires an invert sugar. Usually corn syrup is used, but we used date syrup instead. We didn’t want to miss an opportunity to add more flavor.
FLYING DISC RANCH DATES
We have been getting the best dates from the farmer’s market from Flying Disc Ranch. They have a selection of varieties with different tastes and textures. The Khadrawi and Barhi are very soft and work well in this recipe.
SPICES FROM WORLD SPICE MARKET
Spices have so much flavor when they are fresh. We order them directly from World Spice Market so they are fresh and less expensive than the grocery store. They have a huge variety of unusual spices.
PISTACHIOS FROM SETTON FARMS
We have been ordering the most amazing pistachios from Setton Farms, a family owned farm in California. After trying any number of pistachio sources, this was by far our favorite.
No Affiliates Statement
We call this our “no affiliates” statement because we accept no advertising, have no affiliates and accept no payment. We are not paid to mention brands – we just love buying the best, sharing that information and saving the planet at the same time. The effort put into writing and photographing the blog is solely based on our dedication to the cause.
THE SECRET TO MAKING THE BEST SMOOTH AND CREAMY DATE ICE CREAM RECIPE
THE SCIENCE OF ICE CREAM
We fell in love with European ice cream – dense and creamy, with elegant flavors. It was like nothing we could get back home. So, we researched the science and technique for making ice cream and learned how to make it ourselves. The key to the best flavor was to use the best quality, most flavorful ingredients. But the secret to keeping it smooth and creamy was a combination of ingredients and technique.
There is more to ice cream than just freezing quality ingredients. The key is making it smooth and creamy. This is actually more difficult than it seems. Ice cream stays smooth while it is being churned, but then it is put in the freezer in order to harden, and that’s when ice crystals form, ruining the smoothness.
There is a lot of science to keeping it smooth. Making ice cream requires a method and ingredients that prevent large ice crystals from forming. The method is accomplished with a properly designed ice cream maker that keeps all of the mixture moving, and freezes it quickly. The other key is using certain ingredients that keep the ice crystals small. Cultured cream, eggs, invert sugar and alcohol are the keys to keeping the ice crystals small and the mixture creamy.
INGREDIENTS
HORIZON ORGANIC CREAM – We think Horizon products taste better than any other dairy products we have tried. This is probably because the products are organic and from family farming partners. Just as important, Horizon is a certified B corporation that has committed to sustainability and regenerative agriculture. We save money by buying this by the half gallon at a big box store.
HOMEMADE CRÈME FRAÎCHE FROM HORIZON CREAM – Crème fraîche is cultured cream, like sour cream, but with a much milder taste. The culture in it prevents ice crystals from forming once the ice cream has been churned and is hardening. We make crème fraîche from Horizon cream, which makes this an eco-friendly swap as well, since Horizon is taking action on climate change. We save money by making our own, but it’s also better, and it’s a real crème fraîche, made with a culture. And it’s easy to make because we use an Instant Pot.
EGGS – eggs increase the fat and protein in the mixture. The eggs are raw when whipped with the sugar, but are cooked when the hot cream is slowly added. It is important to bring the mixture to a safe temperature (160° F, 71°C according to the USDA). This method will do that without having to go through the added steps of making a custard and risking over cooking the eggs. French ice cream is made with a custard, which requires cooking and tempering, so this method is much easier. Heating the eggs will also denature the protein in the eggs and prohibit ice growth.
INVERT SUGAR – We use corn syrup for the required invert sugar. It lowers the freezing point of water, making the ice crystals smaller and the ice cream smoother. Corn syrup is NOT the same as high-fructose corn syrup. Honey, and some syrups are partially invert sugars and will do the same thing, to some extent, so we use these for certain flavors. However, honey and syrup will add a lot of flavor.
WHOLESOME ORGANIC SUGAR – Sugar lowers the freezing point. The sugar molecules interfere with the water molecules becoming organized into a solid as it freezes.
ALCOHOL– This lowers the freezing point, making the ice crystals small. It also keeps ice crystals from forming as the ice cream hardens. Too much, however, and the ice cream won’t freeze. Use one tablespoon of an 80 proof alcohol, and adjust the amount for liqueur that contain more or less alcohol.
HEILALA VANILLA PASTE – We use Heilala vanilla paste in ice cream because it has a wonderful vanilla flavor without adding anything else. Using a paste makes it so much easier than using a vanilla bean and scraping all the seeds out. The paste includes the seeds so the ice cream will have the traditional flecks in it.
AIR – Air is also an important ingredient. It softens the ice cream and provides insulation allowing the flavors to be tasted even though the ice cream is cold. The air is added continuously as the ice cream is churned.
THE ICE CREAM MAKER
Making ice cream also requires a method that prevents the cream from freezing solid. The mixture must be constantly churned in an ice cream maker to add air and to keep the ice crystals small, so the ice cream stays creamy. When selecting an ice cream maker, the important thing is that it keeps all of the mixture moving, and freezes it quickly. There should be very little space between the paddle and the walls of the container, and the paddle should be designed to turn over the mixture as it rotates. If there is a gap allowing too much ice cream to build up on the container walls it will cause ice formation. The temperature must be cold enough to freeze the mixture quickly, before ice forms.
We use a Whynter Ice Cream maker (model ICM-200LS) which does an excellent job of freezing it quickly. It doesn’t require ice and rock salt or freezing the insert, so it is really easy and convenient. It has a capacity of 2 Quarts, but we found the ice cream is better when we make 1 Quart, so our recipe makes 1 Quart.
It also helps if everything is cold. Make the mixture and thoroughly chill it down to 45° F (7° C) before putting it in the ice cream maker. Making it the day before will ensure that it is thoroughly chilled and also improves the flavor. Let the ice cream maker run for five minutes before putting the mixture in, so it freezes as fast as possible. Freeze a glass container to store the ice cream. And work quickly when the ice cream has finished churning. Allow it to harden overnight.
FOOD SAFETY
Ice cream is made from dairy products and eggs, so it is very important to take steps to ensure food safety. Follow the instructions in the recipe carefully.
- Start with everything washed in hot soap water, including knives and cutting boards.
- Use pasteurized cream.
- Simmer the cream and fruit mixture for two minutes to bring it to a safe temperature.
- Add the hot cream mixture to the egg mixture, which will bring the eggs up to 160° F. (71° C), the safe temperature for eggs.
- Fresh fruit can not be added after this, because it is not cooked and could contaminate the ice cream.
- Some recipes call for adding things after the ice cream is churned, such as nuts, preserves or chocolate. These should all be fresh, clean, and handled in a manner to keep them clean. Nuts should be toasted and cooled just prior to adding. Anything chopped should be done on a clean cutting board with a clean knife. Preserves should be a newly opened jar.
- The ice cream should be consumed within a week.
Equipment
CHOOSING BRANDS:
For certain products, the choice of brand will make a big difference in the outcome of the recipe and in your carbon footprint. So, for those products, we have listed the brand. We are not paid to mention a brand and have no affiliates.
Ingredients
- 450 grams Horizon cream
- 85 grams Just Date syrup
- 2 eggs one egg and one egg yolk
- 70 grams Wholesome regenerative organic sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 50 grams Crème fraîche homemade from Horizon cream
- 1 Tablespoon rum
- 60 grams dates Use a very soft date variety, like Bahri or Khadrawi, so they don't freeze hard. Remove the stones, cut some in half, and chop some into smaller pieces
Instructions
PREPARE THE STORAGE CONTAINER
- Put a glass storage container in the freezer. Put the chopped chocolate and cherries in the refrigerator.
MEASURE THE INGREDIENTS
- Use a scale to measure the ingredients – zeroing the scale between measurements. Into a small saucepan, measure the cream and date syrup.Into the mixing bowl of the stand mixer, measure the egg, egg yolk, sugar and salt. Into a small bowl, measure the crème fraîche, and rum.
MIX THE INGREDIENTS
- In the stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whisk together the egg, egg yolk, sugar and salt for at least 2 minutes on medium speed.
- While the stand mixer is whisking the eggs and sugar, put the saucepan on the stove and bring the cream and date syrup to a simmer and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring to combine.
- Switch the mixer to low speed and very slowly add the cream and date syrup mixture.
- Continue whisking on low and add the crème fraîche and rum. Whisk just until combined.
- Refrigerate overnight, or you can use an ice bath to bring it down to 45° F, if you are in a hurry.
FREEZE THE MIXTURE
- Pre-chill the ice cream maker by letting it run for 5 minutes before adding the mixture.
- Pour into the ice cream maker and freeze according to the directions.
- When the ice cream maker is finished, quickly transfer the ice cream into the glass container that has been in the freezer, cover, and put the container back in the freezer for ten minutes.
- Sprinkle most of the dates over the ice cream. Fold the ice cream over the dates in just a couple of motions to mix them in. Sprinkle the remain dates over the top, cover, and quickly put it back in the freezer over night to harden.
- Store in the freezer for up to a week. Good served with pistachio nuts and Ras el Hanout spice for those who want to spice it up.
Nutrition
WHY THIS RECIPE IS SUSTAINABLE:
Check out the chart on the blog post to see how food choices affect climate change. This recipe uses responsible brands and items that are lower on the chart and the production creates less greenhouse gas.
Photos by Tony Fitzgerald Photography
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