Maple Bacon Ice Cream

<article> <section> <p>Sweet and savory is always a winning combination. No matter what you’re craving, it hits the spot! Add in contrasting textures and you have a recipe for snacking success. Maple-glazed bacon has long been a gourmet option at brunch for just this reason, but lately it’s started to make its way into desserts, too. Here, we play up that salty-sweet-creamy-crunchy combo in an unexpected form: ice cream! Great on its own, you can also try it between <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/diet/keto-graham-crackers/" rel="noreferrer">Keto Graham Crackers</a> for an amazing ice cream sandwich.</p> <div class="sub-head">Milking It</div> <p>Alternative “milks” are all the rage—and for good reason! They’re often lower in calories and higher in protein than normal dairy milk. And, of course, they’re ideal for a vegan diet. Some of the most popular dairy-free milk alternatives are nut milks. These vegan drinks are made by soaking nuts like almonds or cashews in water, blending them at high speed, and then straining out the solids. If you make nut milk at home, you can stop there! Commercial varieties often add thickeners and other ingredients to improve the texture, nutrition, and shelf life. So be careful to choose only unsweetened varieties! Almond milk has fewer carbs than dairy, making it a great keto option. Plus, it’s extremely high in Vitamin E, which boosts your immune system and helps maintain healthy skin and eyes.</p> <div class="sub-head">X Marks the Spot</div> <p>Many gluten-free and keto recipes, especially desserts, call for a mysterious ingredient: xanthan gum. Pronounced ZAN-than, this ingredient is made by allowing bacteria to transform certain types of fermented sugars into a new form that can’t be readily digested. The final product acts as a thickener and stabilizer, helping improve food’s texture and shelf life. It’s particularly effective when cooking without gluten, because it replaces gluten’s chewy texture! Although it’s not absorbed itself, xanthan gum helps slow the absorption of sugar in the intestines, regulating blood sugar and potentially helping to lower total cholesterol. You can find xanthan gum in the baking section at most large supermarkets, in some health food stores, and, of course, online!</p> <div class="sub-head">Maple Bacon Ice Cream</div> <p><b>Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Serves: 8</b></p> <div class="sub-head">Ingredients:</div> <ul> <li>4 large egg yolks <li>¼ teaspoon salt</li> <li>⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum</li> <li>2 cups unsweetened almond or cashew milk</li> <li>2 cups heavy cream</li> <li>⅓ cup granulated monk fruit sweetener</li> <li>1 tablespoon maple flavoring</li> <li>½ teaspoon vanilla extract</li> <li>10 slices sugar-free bacon</li> </ul> <div class="sub-head">Instructions:</div> <ol> <li>In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks, salt, and xanthan gum; set aside.</li> <li>In a large saucepan, whisk together the almond milk and cream. Heat over medium heat without stirring until bubbles begin to form around the edges. </li> <li>Remove the milk mixture from the heat and slowly pour it into the egg mixture in a thin stream. Vigorously and continuously whisk the eggs as you pour to prevent them from scrambling.</li> <li>Return the mixture to the saucepan and add the monk fruit sweetener. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes or until it begins to thicken and the mixture coats the back of a spoon without running off. </li> <li>Remove from the heat. Stir in the maple flavoring and vanilla extract.</li> <li>Pour the ice cream base into a large glass or metal bowl, cover, and place in the refrigerator until completely chilled. Refrigerate overnight for the best flavor.</li> <li>Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.</li> <li>Lay the bacon on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crispy.</li> <li>Remove the tray from the oven. Remove the bacon to a cooling rack or a plate lined with paper towels and allow to drain. Pat with paper towels to remove as much grease as possible. Let cool completely. </li> <li>After the bacon has cooled, crumble into small bits. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate until ice cream mixture is ready.</li> <li>Once the ice cream mixture has chilled fully, pour into an ice cream maker and churn according to the ice cream maker’s directions. Add the bacon bits about halfway through churning, reserving about 2 tablespoons to garnish the finished ice cream.</li> <li>After churning, scoop ice cream into a freezer-safe container and chill for at least one hour to firm before serving.</li> <li>Serve topped with reserved crumbled bacon.</li> </ol> </section> </article>