Frederic Melton
While it may seem unusual, cheese is a popular ingredient in ice cream. Cream cheese, in particular, is favoured for its rich, tangy flavour and ability to make ice cream luxuriously creamy, smooth and dense. It is also used for its textural qualities, as it contains casein, a protein found in milk products. Fresh cheeses such as chevre, cream cheese, and sheep's cheese are commonly used in ice cream due to their tender textures, while harder cheeses like cheddar may be baked into pie crusts and folded into the ice cream. In the Philippines, a classic ice cream flavour is Keso or Queso, and American ice cream maker Salt & Straw has featured creative cheese flavours such as Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese used | Cream cheese, chevre, sheep's cheese, ricotta, blue cheese, cheddar, goat cheese, parmesan |
| Flavours | Lemon cheesecake, orange cheesecake, blueberry cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake, pear and blue cheese, cheddar apple pie, black olive brittle and goat cheese, walnut butter with parmesan |
| Other ingredients | Sweetened condensed milk, graham cracker crumbs, fruits, jams, lemon curd, vanilla |
| Techniques | Shaving thin and folding into frosting, baking into pie crust and folding in flaky bits, making a frosting with cookies and mixing in |
| Texture and consistency | Cream cheese provides a creamy texture and consistency |
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What You'll Learn
- Cream cheese is added for a rich, tangy flavour and creamy texture
- Harder cheeses like cheddar need to be baked and folded into the ice cream
- Fresh cheeses like chevre and sheep's cheese are easier to incorporate
- Sweetened condensed milk is a good sweetener for cream cheese ice cream
- Salt is used in Filipino cheese ice cream, also known as Keso or Queso ice cream
Cream cheese is added for a rich, tangy flavour and creamy texture
Cream cheese is added to ice cream to create a rich, tangy flavour and a creamy texture. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make ice cream without an ice cream maker, as it does not require the traditional method of cooking a custard. Cream cheese also acts as a stabiliser and emulsifier, ensuring the ice cream has a smooth and dense consistency. This makes it easy to scoop straight from the freezer.
Cream cheese ice cream is a unique and unusual flavour that has gained popularity, with some opting for a no-fuss, no-churn recipe. The addition of cream cheese creates a luxuriously creamy texture, and its tanginess balances the sweetness of the ice cream. This can be further enhanced by adding fruits, jams, or graham crackers to create cheesecake-inspired ice cream.
When making cream cheese ice cream, it is important to use room-temperature cream cheese for the best consistency. The quality of the ingredients also plays a crucial role in the final product, and while ordinary supermarket ingredients can yield satisfactory results, the fat content of the dairy products used can impact the texture and mouthfeel of the ice cream.
Cream cheese is not the only type of cheese used in ice cream. Fresh cheeses like chevre, cream cheese, and sheep's cheese are commonly used due to their tender texture, which incorporates smoothly into the ice cream. Harder cheeses, such as cheddar, can be baked into pie crusts and folded into the ice cream, or shaved and swirled throughout to carry the cheese flavour.
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Harder cheeses like cheddar need to be baked and folded into the ice cream
While softer cheeses like cream cheese, chevre, and sheep's cheese can be incorporated into ice cream without much difficulty, harder cheeses like cheddar require more creativity. One popular method is to bake the cheddar into a pie crust, break it into flaky bits, and then fold these bits into the ice cream. This technique is used by the American ice cream maker Salt & Straw, which has featured adventurous cheese flavours such as Cheddar Apple Pie, Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese, and Walnut Butter with Parmesan.
Another approach to incorporating harder cheeses into ice cream is to shave the cheese into thin pieces using a microplane and fold them into a frosting that is swirled throughout the ice cream. This method ensures that the cheese flavour is evenly distributed.
Additionally, adding sodium citrate to melting cheese can help incorporate harder cheeses into the ice cream base without any graininess. This technique allows for the creation of unique cheese-flavoured ice creams, such as the combination of Pear & Blue Cheese, featuring Rogue Creamery's Crater Lake Blue cheese.
When working with harder cheeses like cheddar, it is essential to consider the saltiness of the cheese and adjust the seasoning accordingly. The cheese should be melted into a hot ice cream base, and the mixture should be blended until smooth. This process results in a soft and creamy texture, enhancing the overall flavour and mouthfeel of the ice cream.
Creating ice cream with harder cheeses like cheddar involves employing creative techniques such as baking, shaving, and blending. These methods ensure that the cheese is properly incorporated, adding unique flavours and textures to the final frozen dessert.
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Fresh cheeses like chevre and sheep's cheese are easier to incorporate
When making cheese ice cream, it is recommended to start with fresh or soft cheeses such as chevre, cream cheese, or sheep's cheese. These cheeses are easier to incorporate into ice cream due to their tender texture. They blend smoothly with the other ingredients, resulting in a creamy and luxurious mouthfeel. Additionally, their mild and tangy flavours complement the sweetness of the ice cream base.
Chevre, also known as goat cheese, lends itself well to ice cream and can be enhanced with a touch of lemon juice and salt to make its flavour stand out. Cream cheese, a versatile fresh cheese, adds a rich and creamy flavour with a tangy hint, creating a well-rounded taste profile. Its high-fat content and smooth consistency contribute to the ice cream's desirable texture.
Sheep's cheese, another type of fresh cheese, has a delicate flavour and texture that blends seamlessly into ice cream. Its subtle character makes it a versatile choice for cheese ice cream creations. Like chevre and cream cheese, sheep's cheese incorporates easily, ensuring a smooth and creamy final product.
Using these fresh cheeses as a base, ice cream makers can then build upon these flavours and textures. Fruits, candied nuts, and cookies are popular mix-ins that pair exceptionally well with these cheeses. For instance, walnuts and parmesan form a classic combination, as seen in the Walnut Butter with Parmesan flavour by Salt & Straw. Similarly, the combination of pear and blue cheese, as featured in Rogue Creamery's ice cream, showcases how fresh sheep's cheese can be utilised to create unique and delightful flavour profiles.
While fresh cheeses provide a straightforward option for ice cream makers, harder cheeses present more technical challenges. Their higher density and lower moisture content can make it difficult to incorporate them into the ice cream base. However, with creativity and the right techniques, even harder cheeses can be transformed into delectable ice cream flavours. For example, shaving the cheese thinly and folding it into a frosting that can be swirled through the ice cream is one method to ensure even distribution and a smooth texture.
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Sweetened condensed milk is a good sweetener for cream cheese ice cream
Cream cheese is a popular ingredient in ice cream, adding a rich, tangy flavour and a creamy, smooth, dense texture. It is also a good source of casein, a protein that contributes to the ice cream's texture and consistency. Cream cheese is versatile and can be used to create a range of ice cream flavours, from fruity varieties to cheesecake-inspired creations.
When making cream cheese ice cream, sweetened condensed milk is an excellent sweetener to use. Sweetened condensed milk is cow's milk that has had most of its water removed, resulting in a thicker and creamier consistency than regular milk. The process of cooking the milk also adds sugar, prolonging its shelf life and enhancing the sweetness of the ice cream.
One of the benefits of using sweetened condensed milk in cream cheese ice cream is that it eliminates the need for a traditional custard base, which typically requires cooking a mixture of cream, sugar, and eggs. This simplifies the ice cream-making process by reducing the number of ingredients and skipping the cooking step.
Additionally, sweetened condensed milk helps create a soft and scoopable texture in the ice cream. Its high sugar content prevents the ice cream from freezing too hard, ensuring it remains easy to scoop and enjoy straight from the freezer. This characteristic sets it apart from other types of milk commonly used in ice cream, such as evaporated milk.
Sweetened condensed milk also provides a versatile base for flavour experimentation. By adding different ingredients, such as cocoa powder, fruits, or candies, you can easily create a variety of cream cheese ice cream flavours to suit your taste preferences. The combination of sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese results in a well-balanced ice cream with a delightful interplay of sweetness and tanginess.
Overall, sweetened condensed milk is an excellent choice for sweetening cream cheese ice cream. It simplifies the recipe, enhances texture, and provides a delightful sweetness that pairs beautifully with the tangy flavour of cream cheese. With its versatility and ease of use, it's no surprise that sweetened condensed milk is a favoured ingredient in the world of ice cream making.
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Salt is used in Filipino cheese ice cream, also known as Keso or Queso ice cream
The addition of salt to the ice cream creates a unique salty-sweet, tangy, and savoury flavour profile. This combination of sweet and salty flavours has been described as "addicting" and has gained a special place in the hearts of many Filipinos. The salty flavour of the cheese also provides a contrasting taste experience, similar to salted caramel.
To incorporate harder cheeses like cheddar into ice cream, various techniques are employed. One method involves shaving the cheese into thin strips and folding it into a frosting that is swirled throughout the ice cream. Another approach includes baking the cheese into a pie crust, breaking it into flaky bits, and then mixing these bits into the ice cream.
Queso ice cream is commonly served with other ice cream flavours such as ube, vanilla, and chocolate in one cone. It is also eaten as an ice cream sandwich with pandesal bread rolls or paired with corn kernels in a popular Filipino dessert called "mais con queso." The ice cream's bright yellow colour and salty-sweet taste make it a distinctive and beloved treat in the Philippines.
In addition to cheddar cheese, some variations of Filipino cheese ice cream use artisanal or locally sourced cheeses. Blue cheese, for example, has been incorporated into ice cream creations, showcasing the versatility and experimental nature of this unique dessert.
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