Creme Fraiche Ice Cream with Nutella: A Dish of Delight
Sneak Peek: Make this decadent Creme Fraiche Ice Cream recipe with Nutella Flakes in your small-batch ice cream freezer. Be advised that this recipe contains uncooked eggs, which makes it easier and gives a fresher taste. People with compromised immune systems should use pasteurized eggs.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Are you familiar with creme fraiche? You can buy it or make it. Last year I published a recipe for homemade creme fraiche. Make it with heavy cream and yogurt, buttermilk, or yogurt whey. Now you have even more motivation to make some for this delicious ice cream recipe.
Combine the tart flavor of creme fraiche with a sweet cream base. This creates the perfect backdrop for frozen flakes and bits of Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread.
Last year, I published a recipe for creme fraiche made with whey or yogurt for all my yogurt-making friends. If you have never tried creme fraiche, see that post for more information about the origins and characteristics of this magical cream.
How to eat ice cream every day without growing out of your clothes:
This ice cream was a “pandemic addiction” for me. Please tell me I’m not the only one who acquired a few bad habits during that time in regard to dessert. I used to eat this ice cream almost every day after finishing my mega salad.
How I manage portion control: Fill small 2-ounce salad dressing cups with ice cream. Do this while your ice cream is still soft-serve consistency. Pop on a lid and freeze. You don’t need much because this stuff satisfies you!
Recipe inspiration:
Thanks to the owner of the crispy waffle website where I was first inspired to create this recipe.
My recipe starts with the vanilla-flavored cream base from Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Cookbook. Their recipes are simple and fresh-tasting. I use this same base for my coffee ice cream and blackberry ice cream with chocolate shards.
From there, I add the creme fraiche and the Nutella.
Why it’s not a good idea to add creme fraiche too soon:
If you add it to the ice cream mixture initially, creme fraiche turns the whole sweet cream base into creme fraiche. Consequently, wait until immediately before freezing your ice cream. Add creme fraiche to the chilled milk, eggs, and sugar.
Ingredients and substitutions:
- EGGS: This recipe is written for large-sized eggs. Many ice cream recipes call for eggs to be cooked into a custard-type mixture which requires more time… and dirty dishes.
My family prefers the fresher taste of uncooked eggs, so I pasteurize them myself when that is a concern. (More about that below.) - SUGAR: Use only granulated sugar for the best texture. Using a sugar substitute may have unpredictable results.
- WHOLE MILK: Whole-fat milk is recommended. I have used 2% milk in the past to avoid a trip to the grocery store. It doesn’t store as well or have the best texture, but it will still satisfy an ice cream craving.
- HEAVY CREAM: You could use half-and-half or whole milk, but your ice cream will freeze harder, and the texture won’t be as creamy.
- VANILLA EXTRACT: Use a good vanilla extract. Vanilla beans or a vanilla bean paste would be even better if you are lucky enough to have some.
- CREME FRAICHE: Buy this or make it yourself with heavy cream, yogurt, or yogurt whey. However, you could substitute 1 cup of heavy cream for the creme fraiche instead. Then you will have regular vanilla ice cream with Nutella chunks.
Another variation: If you prefer, use 2 cups of creme fraiche and no heavy cream. I LOVE it that way, too. - NUTELLA: Peanut butter would be a good stand-in if you don’t like Nutella. Or substitute your favorite chocolate bar.
- COCONUT OIL: Add this oil to the Nutella (or any hazelnut-chocolate spread) to harden the chocolate when it hits the ice cream. I don’t know of a substitute for coconut oil when using it for this purpose.
ADDENDUM 9/6/21: Thanks to Dorie Greenspan, I’ve found a new way to add Nutella to my ice cream without turning it into chocolate ice cream. I have changed the directions in the recipe accordingly.
Add one tablespoon of coconut oil to 4 ounces of Nutella. Warm gently in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir together. Add this mixture to your ice cream at the end of the cycle when it is frozen firm. As you stir it in, the Nutella mixture will turn into flakes. The effect is similar to Nutella chunks, but it’s a lot easier and delicious.
Making Creme Fraiche Ice Cream with Nutella:
Note: At this point, you can add anything you want to this ice cream base. Try something like fresh strawberries, blueberries, or cooked and strained blackberries.
Remove from the freezer into an airtight container, cover with plastic wrap, and place it back into the freezer to harden for 4-5 hours.
FAQ
You risk foodborne illness when you use raw eggs in an uncooked recipe. This particularly concerns the very young, old, or someone with a compromised immune system.
If this concerns you, buy pasteurized eggs at the grocery store or pasteurize them yourself. According to the International Egg Pasteurization Manual, eggs are held at 140˚F for 3.5 minutes. Check YouTube if you want a video showing specifics about pasteurizing eggs at home.
A Sous Vide (paid link) makes it simple to bring the eggs to the exact temperature needed and hold it without babysitting. It might be a good excuse to put one on your Christmas list.
Pasteurized eggs are also handy for homemade mayonnaise and French Silk Pie.
Yes, you can. Check out this post by thekitchn.com on how to make ice cream without an ice cream maker.
Most Nutella ice cream recipes online call for adding the Nutella simultaneously as the milk, sugar, and eggs. So it ends up looking and tasting similar to chocolate ice cream.
I prefer to taste and see the Nutella. At first, I tried to stir the soft Nutella into the ice cream when the ice cream was a soft-serve consistency. I was looking for a swirly effect.
Unfortunately, the Nutella froze so fast that I had big clumps of chocolate. They were too big to eat and hard to cut with a spoon.
It tastes like mild but rich yogurt. The texture is like sour cream, but it’s not sour.
YES! Enjoy.
If you want inspiration and exclusive tips, add your email and press the button. (Don't worry. I won't sell your email.)
If you have questions or suggestions, email me privately for a quick answer: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon!
Créme Fraîche Ice Cream Recipe with Nutella Flakes
Video
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs - 100 gr
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar - 132 gr
- 1 cup whole milk - 227 gr
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 5 gr
- 1 cup heavy cream - 240 gr
- 1 cup creme fraiche - see notes for a homemade version 240 gr
- ⅓ cup Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread - 80 gr
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil - room temperature
Instructions
- Beat 2 large eggs and 2/3 C sugar in a medium mixing bowl until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is fluffy and light-colored.
- Add 1 C milk and a pinch of salt. Continue to mix.
- Add 1 C heavy cream and mix just until smooth.
- Cover and chill for at least 3-4 hours or overnight.
- Stir Nutella and the coconut oil together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Place 1 C creme fraiche into a small bowl. Add a spoonful of the ice cream mixture to the crème fraîche and whisk until smooth. Add another spoonful or two and continue to whisk until creme fraiche is smooth and pourable.
- Add thinned crème fraîche to the chilled ice cream mixture and gently stir until well mixed.
- Pour ice cream mixture into a 1-1/2 to 2-qt ice cream freezer that has been pre-frozen. Freeze ice cream according to the manufacturer's directions.
Making Nutella flakes:
- Add 1 T of coconut oil to 4 ounces of Nutella. Warm gently in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir together. Add this mixture to your ice cream at the end of the cycle when frozen firm. As you stir it in, the Nutella mixture will turn into flakes.
- Transfer ice cream to another container and place it into your freezer to firm up before serving.
Paula Rhodes, author
I’m a retired home economist, wife, mother, grandmother, and creator of Saladinajar.com. I believe you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Here you’ll find time-saving tips, troubleshooting advice, and confidence-inspiring recipes to make life in the kitchen more fun, appetizing, and satisfying.