Ingredients:
1 cup milk (I used 2%)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar, divided use
1/3 cup rich, chocolatey Ovaltine
2 oz dark chocolate, chopped*
3 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
sea salt
Directions:
In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, whisk together half of the sugar (1/8 of a cup equals 2 tablespoons) and all of the milk and cream until the sugar dissolves and the mixture almost boils, about 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together the remaining sugar and the egg yolks until it is yellow and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add about a 1/4 cup of the cream mixture into the eggs and whisk to combine. Pour the egg/cream mixture it into the cream mixture on the stove. Whisk in Ovaltine, vanilla and a pinch of sea salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes or until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and then strain the mixture into a bowl. Allow to cool on the counter then cover and place in the refrigerator to cool completely. Remove from the refrigerator and stir in the chocolate bits. Pour into a ice cream maker and churn until cold and set. Place in a freeze-safe container and freeze until solid.
*I chopped up part of a 70% Extra-bitter Sirius Pure Icelandic Chocolate bar I found at Whole Foods to give the ice cream a “grown up” edge but a slightly less dark bar could also be used.
Yield: about 1 pint
My thoughts:
Ovaltine is a vitamin-fortified chocolate malt powder than you stir into milk. I’ve heard it is more popular overseas than it is here in the US where it has taken on a serious retro feel since it hit its peak in popularity during the 1930s. It really a shame it isn’t more popular, it is quite tasty and has more vitamins and minerals than other chocolate drink mixes. In fact, it was created in Switzerland originally as a health drink for children.
You can make Ovaltine hot or cold milk but Matt, the Ovaltine drinker in our household, likes it cold best and has been suggesting that I make it into ice cream. I’ve never come across any recipes for Ovaltine ice cream so I had to do some experimenting but it was worth it. The ice cream is rich and chocolatey with just the right amount of malt and the chocolate chunks keep it from becoming too sweet.
A quick note:
Ovaltine can be a little tricky to find here in the US but most well stocked grocery stores have it either in the coffee and tea isle or in a “British foods” section. It is also often sold at Asian or South American grocery stores. There are some differences in the formulation depending on what region’s Ovaltine you are buying but they shouldn’t make a difference in this recipe.
I have loved Ovaltine ever since I was a child and I still keep it in the house. This ice cream recipe sounds fantastic! I will have to give it a try.
I love Ovaltine, in fact, I have not had since I was a kid. Glad to know they still make it. May have to pick some up. This sounds perfect as well … vitamin enriched ice cream! Slurp!
Ahhhh,Ovaltine! I love it! I must have gotten all of my nutrition from it when I was a kid, because that is all I remember drinking!
I am sure I would love it in the ice cream form!
it’s nice i got a picture from my tastespot feed, but still just get the title from your feed.
Ohhh…love this! Great recipe choice!
Ovaltine Ice-cream sounds incredible.
I love Ovaltine; used to eat it from the jar when I was younger.
what a great idea! i love ovaltine… this idea is along the lines of Serendipity’s Frozen Hot Chocolate.
looks delicious, i will certainly have to try this some time. and i have no idea why but that picture of chopped chocolate makes me smile 🙂 words from a true choco-holic!
I don’t think I’ve ever had ovaltine. How different is it from regular malt powder? It’s gotta be good in ice cream, though!
MORE OVALTINE PLEASE!
What a neat idea, you’re truly amazing. 🙂
Deborah-Ovaltine is chocolate flavored and has malt so it is a little different than plain malt powder.
OMG!!! I am an Ovaltine addict and on a diet- can you imagine what torture it is for me to see this post!? I am saving this for when I go on diet liberty!!
This looks delicious! I have been on an ice cream craze lately.
This is an absolutely BRILLIANT ice cream flavor! I can’t wait to try it!
I used to drink hot Ovaltine all the time when I was little. This would be a great way to get in that chocolate malty goodness in the summer.
I love love love ovaltine and i've been toying with the idea of ovaltine ice cream or cheesecake for a while now- so glad i found your recipe!!!
Ovaltine is amazing!
i grew up drinking ovaltine in my sippy-cup every night to go to bed and i give it credit for giving me my height and my strong bones!