Delicious Homemade Buttered Popcorn Ice Cream – Quick and Easy Recipe
Transform your movie night experience with this unique and irresistible buttered popcorn ice cream. It’s a perfect blend of nostalgia and indulgence that will have you reaching for another scoop!
For all the movie theater popcorn enthusiasts out there, this ice cream is a dream come true. It captures the essence of that beloved snack in a creamy, frozen treat. While some may turn their noses up at the idea of “fake butter” flavor, there’s no denying the allure of this guilty pleasure.
This recipe goes beyond just mimicking the flavor of buttered popcorn. It elevates it to a whole new level, creating a rich, smooth ice cream that’s bursting with that unmistakable buttery, salty-sweet corn taste. It’s an unexpected twist that will surprise and delight your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups freshly popped butter-flavored popcorn
- 6 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup sugar
- Salt to taste
- Optional: 1 cup Cracker Jacks or caramel corn, chilled in freezer
Directions
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring milk and cream to a bare simmer. Remove from heat, stir in popcorn, cover, and let steep for 1 hour.
- In a second heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until pale in color and slightly thickened. Chill in refrigerator until dairy has finished steeping.
- Pour dairy through a fine-mesh strainer into pot with egg-sugar mixture, then whisk rapidly until very well combined. Press on strained popcorn with a spoon against the strainer to squeeze out all remaining dairy.
- Put saucepan on medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until a custard forms on the back of a spoon but a swiped finger across the back leaves a clean line. Add salt to taste in 1/4 teaspoon increments, then strain custard into an airtight container and chill overnight, or at least 6 hours.
- The next day, churn according to manufacturer’s instructions. If using Cracker Jacks or caramel corn, add them in the last few seconds of churning and let churn until well integrated. Transfer ice cream to container and chill in freezer for at least 3 to 4 hours before serving.
The Secret to Perfect Buttered Popcorn Ice Cream
While homemade popcorn is great for snacking, this recipe actually benefits from using microwave butter-flavored popcorn. The hydrogenated butter-flavored oils in these varieties carry a more intense ‘buttered popcorn’ flavor than real butter. Plus, they freeze less hard and clumpy, resulting in a smoother ice cream texture.
Don’t be afraid to play with the salt levels. Since popcorn brands vary in saltiness, it’s crucial to add salt to your ice cream base gradually, tasting as you go. This ensures you hit that perfect balance of sweet and salty that makes this ice cream so addictive.
Cracker Jack Surprise
For an extra twist, try adding some Cracker Jacks or caramel corn to your ice cream. While optional, it adds an interesting texture and intensifies the corn flavor. Be aware that the candied popcorn will soften in the ice cream, creating chewy nuggets throughout. If you prefer a smooth texture, feel free to omit this addition.
Serving Suggestions
This unique ice cream flavor pairs wonderfully with a variety of toppings and accompaniments. Try serving it with a drizzle of caramel sauce, a sprinkle of sea salt, or even alongside a slice of apple pie for a twist on the classic à la mode. For the ultimate movie night experience, serve scoops of this ice cream alongside a bowl of freshly popped popcorn.
Nutritional Facts
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 372 | Calories |
| 28g | Fat |
| 23g | Carbs |
| 8g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 8 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 372 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 28g | 36% |
| Saturated Fat 17g | 83% |
| Cholesterol 237mg | 79% |
| Sodium 152mg | 7% |
| Total Carbohydrate 23g | 8% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 22g | |
| Protein 8g | |
| Vitamin C 0mg | 2% |
| Calcium 98mg | 8% |
| Iron 1mg | 5% |
| Potassium 154mg | 3% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
A Frozen Tribute to Cinema Snacks
This buttered popcorn ice cream is more than just a dessert – it’s a celebration of movie theater nostalgia in frozen form. It takes the familiar, comforting flavors of buttered popcorn and transforms them into a creamy, indulgent treat that’s perfect for movie nights, summer gatherings, or anytime you want to surprise your taste buds.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of movie theater popcorn or just curious about this unique flavor combination, this ice cream is sure to be a conversation starter. It’s a fun way to experiment in the kitchen and create a dessert that’s truly one-of-a-kind. So grab your ice cream maker, pop some corn, and get ready to churn up a batch of cinematic sweetness!