Grape-Nuts Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

  • Ice Cream
  • Heavy Cream

This custardy and crunchy ice cream is a New England classic.

By

Alexandra Penfold

Alexandra Penfold

Alexandra Penfold is a literary agent, author, blogger, and recipe developer who has contributed an extensive number of baking and candy recipes to Serious Eats.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated August 07, 2023

Trending Videos

Grape-Nuts Ice Cream Recipe (1)

Why It Works

  • Using Grape-Nuts as a mix-in provides a wonderful textural contrast: crunchy, malty nuggets suspended in a smooth and creamy custard-based ice cream.
  • Topping scoops of the ice cream with Grape-Nuts adds even more crunch.

When it comes to Grape-Nuts-related desserts, I'm decidedlypro. Naturally, I gravitate towards Grape-Nuts ice cream, a vanilla-based ice cream with those crunchy cereal bits mixed right in. It's rare to find Grape-Nuts Ice cream outside of New England, so I've taken to stalking around the City where I've spotted it only in a few places, namely on board aMister Softee truck in Flatbushand at the former Uncle Louie G's, nowJT Icesin Windsor Terrace.

Given my obsession, it's surprising that it took me a long time to realize that I don't have to sulk about the limited availability of Grape-Nuts ice cream, I can just make my own at home.

What's so great about Grape-Nuts ice cream? Besides the fact that it's the perfect breakfast food (hello, cereal and milk!), those little cereal nuggets make a great crunchy mix-in. The Grape-Nuts soften slightly while in ice cream suspension, but still hold some crunch as well as a malted flavor that nicely complements the rich, custardy vanilla base. If you like your ice cream with "stuff", then as far as accompaniments go, Grape-Nuts are a pretty awesome choice. They're loaded with whole grains, fiber, and more vitamins than you can shake a stick at. While I'm not going to fool myself into thinking that they make super premium ice cream into a health food, they sure make it taste good. To up the crunch factor, I recommend serving each scoop with a healthy sprinkle of Grape-Nuts on top.

I favor a rich, custardy base because it's most similar to the Grape-Nuts ice cream I remember having as a kid while on summer vacations to Maine. Feel free to substitute your favorite vanilla ice cream recipe and prepare according to the manufacturer's instructions, just be sure to add the Grape-Nuts in the last five minutes of churning.

This recipe was originally published as part of the column "American Classics."

July 2012

Recipe Details

Grape-Nuts Ice Cream Recipe

Active30 mins

Total6 hrs 30 mins

Serves8 servings

Makes1 quart

Ingredients

  • 6 egg yolks

  • 2 cups heavy cream

  • 1 cup whole milk

  • 2/3 cup sugar

  • 1 (4-inch)vanilla bean

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup Grape-Nuts cereal

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, lightly beat egg yolks and set aside.

  2. In a medium saucepan, add cream, milk, and sugar. Split vanilla bean lengthwise and use the tip of the knife to scrape out the seeds. Add the seeds to the cream mixture along with a pinch of salt. Whisking occasionally, heat mixture over medium-low heat until bubbles begin to form along the edges of the pan. Remove from heat and add heated cream mixture to the eggs one tablespoon at a time while whisking constantly to temper the eggs.

  3. Once the cream mixture and eggs have been combined, return to the saucepan and heat on medium-low until mixture coats back of a spoon or spatula and line drawn with a finger leaves a distinct trail. Mixture should register 170° to 175°F (77° to 79°C) on an instant-read thermometer, do not allow mixture to overheat.

  4. Pour custard into a medium bowl and set over an ice bath. Let cool at room temperature for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, then cover and refrigerate for 2 more hours or up to overnight until completely chilled. Churn chilled custard according to your ice cream maker's instructions, adding the Grape-Nuts in the last 5 minutes of churning. Transfer ice cream into a bowl or container that will hold 1 quart. Cover and freeze for at least 3 hours to fully set. Serve

Special Equipment

Ice cream maker, whisk, instant-read thermometer

Read More

  • DIY Grape-Nuts Cereal
  • The Subtle Secrets to Making the Best Ice Cream Mix-Ins
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
394Calories
29g Fat
27g Carbs
9g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories394
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 29g37%
Saturated Fat 16g80%
Cholesterol 233mg78%
Sodium 177mg8%
Total Carbohydrate 27g10%
Dietary Fiber 1g3%
Total Sugars 23g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 2mg9%
Calcium 118mg9%
Iron 2mg12%
Potassium 232mg5%
*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.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Grape-Nuts Ice Cream Recipe (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 5745

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.