Gold Medal Ribbon Ice Cream Recipe

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I usually find myself reminiscing about the joyous days of my childhood, where the pinnacle of my day was the sound of the ice cream truck melody playing down the street. Among the myriad of flavors, one stood out as a perennial favorite, a champion among champions — Gold Medal Ribbon Ice Cream. This delightful concoction of vanilla and chocolate ice creams, elegantly entwined with a caramel ribbon, wasn’t just a treat; it was an experience, a taste of victory in every scoop.

How to make Gold Medal Ribbon Ice Cream

Gold Medal Ribbon Ice Cream is a delightful flavor that combines vanilla and chocolate ice cream with a caramel ribbon, offering a mix of traditional and sweet tastes in every scoop.

Ingredients:

For the Vanilla Ice Cream:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For the Chocolate Ice Cream:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt

For the Caramel Ribbon:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vanilla Ice Cream Base:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup cream with sugar and salt for the vanilla mixture. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
2. Remove from heat. Stir in the remaining cup of cream, the cup of milk, and vanilla extract.
3. Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator.

2. Prepare the Chocolate Ice Cream Base:

1. Repeat the same process as the vanilla base, but add cocoa powder to the saucepan with the cream, sugar, and salt. Ensure the mixture is smooth and the cocoa is well-integrated.
2. After the sugar dissolves, remove it from the heat and mix in the remaining cream and milk.
3. Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator.

3. Make the Caramel Ribbon:

1. Melt sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
2. Once the sugar has melted, add the butter and stir until well combined.
3. Carefully pour in the heavy cream (the mixture will bubble) and continue to cook for another minute.
4. Remove from heat, add salt and vanilla extract, and let cool completely.

4. Churn the Ice Cream:

1. Pour the chilled vanilla mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
2. Transfer half of the vanilla ice cream into a freezer-safe container.
3. Drizzle some of the cooled caramel over it.
4. Layer with half of the churned chocolate ice cream.
5. Repeat with remaining vanilla, caramel, and chocolate ice cream.
6. Use a knife to swirl the caramel gently through the ice cream creating ribbons.

5. Freeze:

1. Cover and freeze the ice cream until firm, ideally overnight.

Tips:

• Ensure Consistency: For the best texture, make sure both ice cream bases are thoroughly chilled before churning. This makes the ice cream smoother and creamier.
• Layering: Be gentle when layering the ice cream and caramel; over-mixing can muddy the distinct flavors.
• Homemade vs. Store-Bought Caramel: While homemade caramel is recommended for its rich flavor, you can use a high-quality store-bought caramel sauce for convenience.
• Serving: Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly before scooping.

What to serve with

Gold Medal Ribbon Ice Cream, with its beautiful swirls of vanilla and chocolate interlaced with a rich caramel ribbon, is outstanding on its own. However, serving it with thoughtful pairings can elevate this delicious treat into an extraordinary dessert experience.

1. Classic Fresh Baked Goods:

• Brownies or Blondies: For a decadent dessert, serve a scoop of Gold Medal Ribbon Ice Cream atop a warm, gooey brownie or blondie. The heat from the baked goods will slightly melt the ice cream, creating a delightful contrast.
• Chocolate Chip Cookies: For an indulgent ice cream sandwich, place a scoop between two fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. The chocolate in the cookies pairs nicely with the ice cream’s flavor profile.

2. Dessert Toppings:

• Hot Fudge or Caramel Sauce: Even though the ice cream already has caramel, drizzling a little extra warm caramel or hot fudge sauce on top can amplify the flavors and add a gooey texture.
• Whipped Cream: A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a cloud-like texture that contrasts beautifully with the dense ice cream.
• Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts for a nutty crunch that complements the softness of the ice cream.

3. Fruit Companions:

• Sliced Bananas or Berries: Fresh fruits like strawberries or bananas can add a refreshing, tangy twist to balance the sweet and rich flavors of the ice cream.
• Cherries: Serve with fresh or maraschino cherries for a classic ice cream parlor feel.

4. Warm Desserts:

• Apple Pie or Fruit Crisp: A scoop of Gold Medal Ribbon Ice Cream is the perfect companion for a warm slice of apple pie or a fruit crisp. The warmth of the pie and the coolness of the ice cream are a classic combination that never goes out of style.
• Warm Chocolate Lava Cake: A scoop on top of a warm lava cake makes for a luxurious dessert, with the ice cream melting into the molten chocolate center.

5. Drinks:

• Coffee or Espresso: Serve a scoop of Gold Medal Ribbon Ice Cream with a hot cup of coffee or espresso. The bitterness of the coffee complements the sweetness of the ice cream, creating a sophisticated flavor profile.
• Root Beer or Cola Float: For a nostalgic treat, add a scoop to a glass of root beer or cola to make a delightful float.

6. Specialty Desserts:

• Sundaes: Layer this ice cream with banana slices, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry on top to create a sundae.
• Waffle Bowls: Serve scoops of Gold Medal Ribbon Ice Cream in crispy waffle bowls. The added texture and flavor of the waffle enhance the overall taste.

7. Seasonal Flavors:

• Pumpkin Pie: During the fall, a scoop beside a slice of pumpkin pie can be an interesting way to merge seasonal flavors with the creamy textures of the ice cream.

Ingredients Substitutes

When creating homemade Gold Medal Ribbon Ice Cream or adapting a recipe due to dietary restrictions or personal preferences, you’ll need to consider substitutes for traditional ingredients.

Base Ice Cream:

Dairy Substitutes:

• Milk/Cream Alternatives: Instead of cow’s milk or cream, use plant-based options like coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk for the ice cream base. Each will bring a slightly different flavor and texture to the finished product.
• Full-fat coconut milk can mimic the creaminess of dairy due to its high fat content.
• Cashew milk is another option that provides a creamy texture and neutral flavor.

Sweetener Substitutes:

• Sugar Alternatives: If you’re avoiding white sugar, consider sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or sugar substitutes like stevia or erythritol. Keep in mind that the sweetness level and the quantity needed may vary, and some sweeteners can affect the freezing point of the ice cream.

Flavorings:

Vanilla Substitutes:

• Vanilla Extract Alternatives: If you’re out of vanilla extract, you can substitute vanilla bean paste, vanilla beans, or vanilla-flavored almond milk for the vanilla component.
• Vanilla Pods/Beans: If you’re looking for a more natural and pronounced vanilla flavor, and budget isn’t a consideration, scraping the seeds from a vanilla pod adds beautiful specks and an intense vanilla taste to your ice cream.

Chocolate Substitutes:

• Cocoa Powder: If the recipe calls for melted chocolate, you can swap in unsweetened cocoa powder, though you may need to adjust the sugar and fat content in the recipe.
• Chocolate Alternatives: For those allergic to cocoa, carob powder or chips can be an alternative. Carob has a different flavor profile but offers a similar texture and color to chocolate.

Caramel Ribbon:

Dairy-Free Caramel:

• Vegan Caramel Sauce: Create a dairy-free caramel sauce using coconut milk and brown sugar or coconut sugar. For additional flavor, add a pinch of salt to replicate a salted caramel taste.

Sugar-Free Caramel:

• Low-Sugar Alternatives: Use a sugar substitute like erythritol or xylitol combined with butter or a dairy-free alternative for a low-sugar caramel ribbon. It might not caramelize the same way as sugar, but it provides a similar sweetness.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own Gold Medal Ribbon Ice Cream is a fulfilling way to bring some gourmet flair to your dessert offerings. This creamy, dreamy blend of flavors will delight anyone who tries it, guaranteeing golden smiles all around!