Spice up the Season: Festive Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream

Get into the holiday spirit with our Festive Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream. A perfect blend of warmth and sweetness in every delicious scoop.

Imagine the cosy scent of gingerbread cookies baking in the oven, bringing back memories of our childhoods and holidays past. Now, let’s turn that heartwarming and nostalgic smell and familiar flavour into a delicious frozen dessert!

In this article we will provide some nostalgic information about the humble and much-loved gingerbread cookie, detail the health benefits of Ginger, and of course, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how you can craft your own Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream.

If you’d rather, you can scroll to the end of the article, straight to the recipe and method, or read along to find out more.

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A Festive Flavour Bomb: Gingerbread Stands the Test of Time

This much-loved flavour, often presented in cookie format, has been a festive staple for centuries, delighting taste buds for generations.

From the classic gingerbread man, a character straight out of our favourite children’s storybooks, to the sweet and spicy aroma that fills our homes during the holidays, gingerbread holds a special place in our hearts whatever and whenever the season.

Gingerbread: The Various Ways We Savour this All-Time Favourite.

From the classic gingerbread man with his charming and cheeky smile as depicted in the classic children’s story to intricately decorated cookies, and how could we forget gingerbread houses as depicted in the well-known and much loved Hansel and Gretel children’s storybook, gingerbread has been loved for generations and has evolved into a versatile treat that caters to diverse tastes.

In the well-known blockbuster movie Shrek, the Gingerbread Man, known as Gingy, is a memorable character brought to life by the magic of the land of Far Far Away.

Despite his small size, Gingy plays a crucial role in the adventures of Shrek and his friends, adding a sweet and humorous touch to the fairy tale narrative.

Whether in the form of soft, chewy cookies, festive shapes adorned with icing, innovative gingerbread-flavoured desserts or even storybook and movie characters, Gingerbread, a much-loved flavour brings warmth and comfort to us all.

Health Benefits of Ginger.

It’s not just about tradition and flavour – ginger, the key ingredient in gingerbread, brings a host of health benefits to the table.

Renowned for its distinctive flavour and aromatic warmth, Ginger holds a treasure trove of goodness. It’s a spice that is incredibly versatile and can be used in either sweet or savoury. Beyond its culinary flavours and versatility, ginger boasts impressive health benefits.

This root has been used and loved for centuries for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, aiding digestion and soothing various ailments.

This spice not only imparts a cosy and familiar taste but also brings along a touch of well-being.

So now we know how good Ginger is for our health, and how deliciously, tasty gingerbread is for our taste buds and tummies, let’s get into making our Gingerbread Ice Cream.

Let’s start with making Gingerbread first – which you can make into cookies, or gingerbread men (or women, gingerbread people) or even try out a festive gingerbread house and then we’ll share our homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream recipe and method for crafting this delicious dessert.

Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 350g plain flour
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 125g unsalted butter
• 175g light soft brown sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 4 tablespoons golden syrup

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon.
3. In a saucepan, gently heat the butter, light brown sugar, and golden syrup until melted. Allow it to cool slightly.
4. Pour the melted mixture into the dry ingredients and add the egg. Mix until you have a firm dough.
5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 5mm thickness.
6. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes, such as traditional round cookies or gingerbread men.
7. Place the cut-out shapes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each cookie.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

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If you don’t have any cookie cutters, please click on the link to take you to a selection of different styles that are available:

===> Click here to see options on Gingerbread Cookie Cutters

Incorporating Gingerbread Cookies into Ice Cream:

Once your gingerbread cookies are cooled, you can integrate them into your homemade gingerbread ice cream in various ways:

1. Cookie Chunks: Roughly chop the gingerbread cookies into bite-sized chunks and fold them into the ice cream during the last few minutes of churning.
2. Gingerbread Swirl: Create a gingerbread swirl by layering crushed gingerbread cookies between layers of ice cream in the storage container.
3. Sandwiches or Mix-ins: Make smaller cookies and create gingerbread cookie sandwiches with small scoops of gingerbread ice cream in between. Alternatively, crumble cookies directly into the ice cream mixture before freezing (see option below in Gingerbread ice cream recipe and method).

Experiment with these options to find the combination that suits your taste preferences!

Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients:

• 475 ml double cream
• 240 ml whole milk
• 150g granulated sugar
• 4 large egg yolks
• 60 ml molasses
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Gingerbread cookies, crumbled (optional, for topping)

Method:

• In a saucepan, heat the double cream, whole milk, and 100g of sugar over medium heat. Stir occasionally until it reaches a simmer. Remove from heat.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining 50g of sugar until well combined.
• Gradually pour the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture, whisking continuously to prevent curdling.
• Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan and return it to the stove over low heat. Stir constantly until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
• Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and vanilla extract.
• Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Once chilled, churn the ice cream base in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • 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 – Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker to learn more.
• If desired, add crumbled gingerbread cookies during the last few minutes of churning.
• Transfer the churned ice cream to a lidded container and freeze for a few hours until firm.
• Scoop into bowls or cones, and enjoy the festive delight of Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream!

Of course, you can enjoy your homemade gingerbread ice cream on its own, or you can add some pairings to add either texture or additional flavours.

Perfect Pairings for your Gingerbread Ice Cream

Here’s a list of fantastic pairings that will complement Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream:

1. Caramel Sauce: Drizzle rich caramel sauce over your gingerbread ice cream for an extra layer of sweetness.
2. Toasted Pecans: The nutty flavour of toasted pecans complements the warm and spicy notes of gingerbread.
3. Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream adds a light and airy texture, enhancing the overall indulgence.
4. Chocolate Shavings: Grate some dark chocolate on top to introduce a luxurious and slightly bitter contrast.
5. Candied Ginger: For a delightful kick, sprinkle some candied ginger on your gingerbread ice cream.
6. Maple Syrup: Drizzle a bit of maple syrup for a touch of natural sweetness and depth of flavour.festive
7. Vanilla Wafers or Biscuits: Crushed vanilla wafers or biscuits can bring a delightful crunch to each bite.
8. Chai Spices: Sprinkle a pinch of chai spice blend for an exotic twist that complements the gingerbread flavour.
9. Apple Compote: Serve with a side of warm apple compote for a delightful combination of autumn flavours.
10. Cinnamon Stick: Garnish with a cinnamon stick for a visually appealing and aromatic touch.

Feel free to mix and match these pairings to create your own personalised gingerbread ice cream flavour profile and above all, enjoy the festive deliciousness!

Unleash Your Little Bakers: Kid-Friendly Gingerbread Cookie Making!

If there is ever a moment you want to get the kids involved in the kitchen, having fun and learning, then this is it.

Your kids will love making gingerbread cookies and gingerbread people and decorating them all for the festive period. This is a great opportunity for them to learn and enjoy the creativity.

From rolling out the dough to selecting the cutest cookie-cutter shapes, kids will revel in the joy of hands-on baking. Watch their faces light up as the oven transforms their creations into golden-brown masterpieces.

It’s not just about cookies; it’s about building traditions and sharing the magic of festive baking with the ones you love. Check out our article – Kid Friendly Christmas Ice Cream Recipes – Frosted Fusions – to find some ideas for kid-friendly Christmas-inspired recipes.

We hope that you have enjoyed our article on Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream and we especially hope that we have inspired you to give this recipe a go.

If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below and of course, if you do give this recipe a go, we would love to hear how you get on.