Description
This recipe simplifies homemade fried ice cream, featuring a crispy cinnamon crunch coating, a creamy vanilla center, and a sweet caramel ribbon. It’s a showstopper dessert designed for busy families, offering big flavor with a quicker, easier method than traditional versions.
Ingredients
- 1.5 quarts good quality vanilla ice cream, for the creamy core
- 3 cups crispy cereal, such as cornflakes or Cinnamon Toast Crunch
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup caramel sauce
- 4 cups vegetable, canola, or peanut oil, for deep-frying
Instructions
- Prepare Ice Cream Balls: Scoop 6-8 firm ice cream balls onto a parchment-lined sheet pan and freeze for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, until rock hard.
- Create Cinnamon Crunch Coating: Finely crush the cereal in a shallow dish. Mix with melted butter, ground cinnamon, and granulated sugar until well combined.
- Coat Ice Cream: Quickly roll each frozen ice cream ball in the cinnamon crunch mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating evenly.
- Refreeze for Firmness: Return coated ice cream balls to the parchment-lined sheet pan and freeze for at least 4 hours, or until absolutely solid.
- Perform Quick Fry: Heat 3-4 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F (190°C). Fry 1-2 balls for 20-30 seconds until golden brown and crisp.
- Serve Immediately: Remove fried balls with a slotted spoon, drain excess oil, and serve hot with caramel sauce and extra cinnamon crunch.
Notes
For a richer taste, use organic vanilla bean ice cream. Crushed graham crackers or gluten-free cereal are great coating swaps. Reduce granulated sugar for a lower sugar option. Homemade caramel sauce offers superior taste. Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the coating or garnishing with chocolate syrup or whipped cream. Dairy-free vanilla ice cream can be used for dietary needs. Ensure ice cream balls are rock hard before and after coating to prevent melting during frying. Use a thermometer to check oil temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Deep-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fried ice cream ball
- Calories: 400 calories
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg