Chocolate Overload - Part II (And just one day late!)

Chocolate Week officially finished yesterday and while I tried desperately to get this recipe finished in time to post yesterday it didn't quite manage it. I even got up at 0730 on a Sunday morning to start it. If that isn't dedication to the cause then I don't know what is lol.

This is my version of Moose Tracks Ice Cream. My one and only experince with this truly wonderous concoction came in my second summer in America. Honda and her parents very generously whisked me away from camp for the 4th of July weekend and took me to the family party up in the 1000 Islands (in upsate New York). I had a wonderful weekend and was well and truly inducted into the American way of life. We went into town to watch the fireworks display and got ice cream for the show, I chose Moose Tracks which was vanilla ice cream with a ribbon of chocolate cutting its way through the ice cream and with mini Reece's pieces scatter throughout. OMG! I thought I'd died and gone to ice cream heaven! I'm not a big fan of the original Reece's pieces, peanut butter is OK in small doses, but the mini one's are great - just the right blend of chocolate and peanut butter!

Then a couple of weeks ago I made a blog discovery in the shape of Lick The Bowl Good. And one of the previous posts called out to me much like my beloved Moose Tracks Ice Cream! It was called Tin Roof Ice Cream (and I can't wait to make it!) but it got me thinking about creating my own version of Moose Tracks. This is attempt number one, and to be honest (without trying to sound pompous!) its pretty close to the real deal. The only thing that isn't quite right is the Chocolate Swirl (which I stole from Lick The Bowl Good) and while it is absolutely wonderful as it is I know that it isn't quite the same as the original. Such a shame that I will have to try a second attempt ;0)

Homemade Moose Tracks Ice Cream (Chele Style)

500g white chocolate

500ml milk

500ml double cream

1 vanilla pod, split

8 egg yolks

50g golden sugar

200g mini Rollo's (I know!)

Fudge Ripple

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup golden syrup

1/2 cup water

6 tbsp cocoa powder

1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

To make the ice cream start by melting the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water.

Heat the milk, double cream and vanilla pod together (I scrape the seeds out and add these to the mix along with the pod) and bring to the boil.

Whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until they start to go pale. Slowly whisk the boiling milk into the egg yolks, then return the mixture to the pan and cook over a low heat, stirring all the time, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.

Strain the mixture into the melted chocolate and blend well, then leave to cool.

Meanwhile make the Fudge Ripple; whisk together the sugar, corn syrup, water and cocoa powder in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture begins to bubble at the edges.

Continue to whisk until it just comes to a low boil. Cook for 1 min, whisking frequently. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla and let cool. Chill in the fridge before using.

When the ice cream mixture has cooled, place in a mould or container and freeze for 4-5 hours. When it is thick and half frozen, take it out, place in a blender and process to a smooth, cold mixture.

Layer the ice cream mixture with mini Rollo's and fudge ripple. Avoid stirring the ice cream at this pint as the fudge ripple mixture will make the ice cream look muddy. Return to the freezer for a further 3-4 hours or until frozen.

Serves 12 (if you are lucky!)

The original recipe for the ice cream is actually for chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips and I can;t remember where I got it from but it has never failed me once. The white chocolate version is wonderfully smooth and creamy and reminds me a wee bit of the Devonshire ice cream my Granny used to serve us after Sunday lunch when we were little. the chocolate chocolate chip version is like eating a velvety fudge. Well worth the day long effort, I promise.