Chocolate Strawberry Ice Cream

I am so loving this chocolate strawberry ice cream.  I've been working on a strawberry ice cream recipe, and I stumbled across the chocolate and strawberry idea.  So then I had to figure out two strawberry ice cream recipes.  It was totally worth it though!  This yummy chocolate ice cream is full of sweet little bursts of strawberry.  The chocolate is mild enough to let the flavor of the strawberries come through, and the flavor is perfect.

Chocolate Strawberry Ice Cream

Strawberries:
1 pound fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Ice Cream Base:
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 quart (4 cups) half and half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Place the strawberries in a food processor and pulse until the berries are chopped (you don't want them puree). Place the pulsed strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan.  Cook and stir over medium high heat until the mixture comes to a boil.  Continue to cook for about 5 to 10 minutes.  Transfer the strawberries to a bowl, cover and place in the refrigerator to chill, about 4 hours, or overnight.

For the ice cream base, whisk together the condensed milk and cocoa powder until smooth. Gradually add the half and half and vanilla.  Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill, about 2 hours, or overnight.

When you are ready to freeze the ice cream, pour the ice cream base mixture into your ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's directions.  During the last several minutes of freezing time, pour the chilled strawberries into the ice cream maker.  You may need to freeze this in two batches, depending on the size of your ice cream maker (my ice cream maker is 1 1/2 quarts, so I did this in two batches).  When the ice cream has finished freezing, serve immediately for soft serve, or transfer to a container with a lid and place in the freezer until ready to eat.  Makes about 2 quarts.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy