Chocolate Cashew Ice Cream

A simple homemade chocolate ice cream with whole cashews mixed in.

This Chocolate Cashew Ice Cream is a rich, creamy treat with a deep chocolate flavor and satisfying crunch from roasted cashews. Made with cocoa powder, granulated and dark brown sugars, and a hint of salt, it offers a perfectly balanced sweetness. Whole milk, heavy cream, and pure vanilla extract add a smooth, luxurious texture, while roasted cashews bring a nutty crunch that complements the chocolate beautifully. This decadent ice cream is an indulgent delight for any chocolate lover.

Servings

4-6

Prep Time

10 minutes

Churning Time

Initial churning: 10 minutes
Adding cashews and further churning: 5-10 minutes
Total estimated churning time: 15-20 minutes

Total Time

Active prep and churn time: 30-35 minutes
Chilling time before churning: 1-2 hours or overnight
Freezing time after churning: Several hours (typically 2-4 hours for firming up)

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

3/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/4 teaspoon salt

Dairy

1 cup whole milk
2 cups heavy cream

Flavorings

1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Mix-Ins

1 cup roasted whole cashews

Instructions

Prepare the Base

In a medium-sized bowl, combine sifted cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Whisk until well mixed. Gradually pour in whole milk, whisking continuously until the sugar dissolves. Stir in heavy cream and vanilla extract.

Chill

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for 1-2 hours, or overnight for best results. Chilling ensures a smoother texture when churning.

Churn

After chilling, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker. Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions for about 10 minutes.

Add Cashews

While the ice cream is still soft and churning, gradually add roasted cashews. Continue churning for another 5-10 minutes until the ice cream reaches the desired consistency.

Freeze to Set

Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container and smooth the top. Cover and freeze until firm, which may take several hours.

Serve and Enjoy

Once set, scoop out the creamy chocolate cashew ice cream and enjoy!

Tip

For added flavor, lightly roast the cashews with a sprinkle of salt before adding them to the ice cream.

Measure together the cocoa, white sugar, brown sugar, and salt.

Whisk together the cocoa, white sugar, brown sugar, and salt.

Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla. Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate 1-2 hours to overnight.

Churn the cream about 10 minutes and stir pour in the cashews. Continue to churn 5-10 more minutes.