Savour our Savoury Sweet Homemade Bacon and Maple Syrup Ice Cream. Enjoy this remarkably unique mix of flavours.
Creating homemade ice cream is always an incredibly fun and fulfilling experience; knowing you created it yourself and with that, having the comfort of knowing exactly what’s in your creation – no nasty additives, nor preservatives, no unexpected add-ins. Just pure goodness for you and the family.
And so with your newfound talent, you want to expand and start thinking what else can I bring together, what other flavours shall I try? What other curiously delicious concoctions shall I make next??
Of course, not everyone’s brains function in the same way.
Being the experimentalist that I am, I was standing over a pan of grilling bacon and thought, hmm, I wonder. Could this work? No… don’t be silly, Bacon in Ice Cream, it’ll be all wrong, it’s not going to work! How wrong I was.
Using bacon for ice cream might not be everyone’s first thought for a dessert. but, you’ll be amazed and happy to know, it actually works!
In this article, we’ll explain the curious flavour combination that is Bacon, Maple Syrup and Ice Cream, discuss the flavour profiles of each component and we’ll share with you our recipe and method so that you can also create this amazing ice cream.
If you’d rather go straight to the recipe, please click the following link, or read along to find out more.
A Savoury-Sweet Fusion of Flavours
When I tried this combination of flavours out, it was expected to be a fail, too far ‘out there’ to be tasty and leaving people wanting more. I could not have been more wrong.
You get the initial creaminess of the Ice cream base, then the sweet tones of the Maple Syrup, and then you get a crunchy salty piece of bacon. Even though it sounds wrong, it really could not be more right!
The flavours play with your mind. You know and recognise the flavour, but it’s in the wrong setting. You expect this flavour in breakfast or a bacon sarnie, certainly not in an Ice Cream.
The salty crunch is a welcome reprieve from the sweet Maple Syrup. It’s delicious! It shouldn’t, but somehow it works.
Bacon – A Savoury Sensation
Sizzling in the pan, bacon releases its familiar, mouth-watering aroma, breakfast lovers worldwide know and love that smell. Known for its savoury and smoky profile, bacon adds a rich umami depth to any dish it graces.
This much-loved pork delicacy elevates savoury recipes with its crispy texture and hint of saltiness.
Bacon is known for its versatility in the kitchen, and it can go beyond traditional savoury dishes comfortably switching into the world of desserts. When you combine bacon with the sweetness of maple syrup, the savoury and sweet flavours come together in an unexpected way that will leave you wanting more.
Maple Syrup – Nature’s Liquid Gold
Pure maple syrup, derived from maple trees, is a truly wonderful gift from nature. It has a warm, amber colour and a smooth texture, offering a variety of flavours, from sweet caramel hints to woody notes that capture the essence of the trees.
Although Maple Syrup is quite high in natural sugar, Sucrose, what sets it apart from refined sugar is its minerals and antioxidant attributes. Maple syrup’s natural sweetness reminds us of comforting breakfasts and decadent drizzles. However, its uses go beyond pancakes and waffles.
This versatile natural sweetener truly shines when combined with bold ingredients like bacon, creating a surprising blend of flavours that goes beyond the ordinary.
Bacon and Maple Syrup Homemade Ice Cream Recipe
With an understanding of this fusion of savoury-sweet flavours, let us show you how you can also create this uniquely delicious homemade ice cream.
Here’s a simple recipe for Homemade Bacon and Maple Syrup Ice Cream;
Ingredients:
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crispy
- 250ml double cream
- 125ml whole milk
- 90ml pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook the bacon until it’s crispy and drain it on a paper towel to remove excess grease. Once cooled, chop the bacon into small, bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
- Create the Base: In a medium saucepan, combine the double cream and whole milk. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to steam. Do not let it boil.
- Blend the Flavours: Once the mixture has cooled, whisk in the maple syrup and Vanilla extract.
- Chill the Base: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the mixture to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 4 hours or overnight to chill thoroughly.
- Churn the Ice Cream: Once the mixture is thoroughly chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. During the last few minutes of churning, add the chopped crispy bacon to the ice cream. The bacon will be evenly distributed throughout the ice cream.
- NB: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up ice crystals, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – How to Make Homemade Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.
- Freeze and Serve: Transfer the churned ice cream into an airtight container, layering it with drizzles of additional maple syrup if desired. Cover the container and freeze the ice cream for at least 4 hours or until it’s firm.
- Serve and Enjoy: When ready to scoff, sorry we mean eat, scoop the Bacon and Maple Syrup Ice Cream into bowls or cones. Drizzle a little extra maple syrup on top for an added touch of sweetness, and enjoy the heavenly marriage of savoury bacon and luscious maple syrup in each creamy spoonful!
Topping Ideas to Take Your Bacon and Maple Syrup Ice Cream a few more Notches!
So, you’ve mastered the art of Bacon and Maple Syrup Ice Cream? Now it’s time to take it to the next level!
Here are a few topping ideas to add even more excitement to your already adventurous dessert:
- Caramelised Pecans: The nutty crunch of caramelised pecans complements both the bacon and maple syrup beautifully.
- Chocolate Shavings: Dark chocolate shavings add a touch of bitterness that balances the sweetness and saltiness perfectly.
- Candied Ginger: For a spicy kick, try adding a sprinkle of candied ginger. The warmth of the ginger pairs surprisingly well with the other flavours.
- Crumbled Shortbread: Add a buttery, crumbly texture with shortbread.
- Maple Glazed Bacon Bites: For the ultimate bacon lover, add some extra maple glazed bacon bites for an intense burst of flavour.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own perfect combination.
👉🏽 If the idea of bacon and maple syrup ice cream is your kind of flavour fusion experience, then head on over to our article – Unique Homemade Ice Cream Recipes – Deliciously Curious Creations – which lists a handful of other curiously delicious unique ice cream flavours!
The Final Scoop
This recipe produces a unique and remarkable Homemade Bacon and Maple Syrup Ice Cream that will leave your taste buds tingling and your mind challenged by the unexpected, yet delicious fusion of flavours. Enjoy the savoury-sweet fusion of flavours in this unforgettable frozen treat!
What curious flavour combinations have you tried? Drop us a comment below and let us know.
We hope that you have enjoyed our article – A Savoury-Sweet Homemade Bacon and Maple Syrup Ice Cream and above all, we hope that we have inspired you to give this daring recipe a go. If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below and we will be happy to get back to you.
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I know many people enjoy pouring maple syrup over their bacon, but I would never have thought of turning the combination into an ice cream. But it has made me curious to know what it takes like, so I might give it a try to surprise my grandchildren.
Do you have a suggestions for the best cut of bacon to use? Would back bacon be less fatty than streaky bacon?
Can honey be used to replace maple syrup if I cannot find maple syrup? Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Hey Line,
Thanks for your comment.
I would recommend Streaky, as it is that bit fattier. Of course, any bacon will do.
You want the bacon flavour to shine through and it has to compete with the creamy milk and the Maple Syrup, so the streaky works well. Plus if you crisp the bacon up well, a lot of the fat will drain off, and you’ll just be getting the remaining bacon crispy texture and flavour and the more intense that is the better.
Yes, of course, Honey will do too. We use Maple syrup as it has a very distinct flavour profile, but Honey too has a great flavour base too.
Would love to hear how you get on if you do try it out.
Cherie :o)
Earnestly I was mind blown by your becon ice-cream post. It’s really great work.
I still haven’t had enough of that article and depending on how I feel, I think that if you continue writing such mind blowing info will drastically increase visitors thus increasing traffic which is great.
Hey Anthony,
Thanks for your comment. Glad you liked the Bacon & Maple Syrup Ice Cream post. It’s a curious one for sure, but it works. It’s one of our favourites because it is so whacky, along with a few others!
Thanks for dropping by.
Cherie :o)