The end of summer

Sunday, September 1, 2013
Labour Day weekend always seems like the end of summer to me.  Regardless of how warm it is today or it will be in September, Labour Day is like New Year's Day - saying goodbye to the old and hello to the new.  My youngest daughter begins grade 11 on Tuesday, and my oldest daughter is moving into an apartment this week for her second year of university.  (Andrew and I spent most of today building IKEA furniture for her.  This falls so far outside of my skill set that every contribution I made was reason for celebration.)

With both of the girls having enjoyed wonderful summers at camp, I couldn't resist making my own version of s'mores.  I have a few recipes on this blog that are variations on s'mores, including a pie, cookies and bars, and I think it's because of my own happy memories at camp.  I spent four great years as a camper and another four as CIT and counsellor.  The best camp food I ever ate was s'mores by the campfire.  Toasting the marshmallow perfectly was tricky but, as I grew older, I finally developed the patience to toast it slowly instead of sticking it directly in the flames.

Most of all, s'mores are wedded in my mind with ghost stories, singing songs, and sharing jokes with camp buddies.  This wonderful ice cream represents the very best of childhood - s'mores, ice cream and summers that feel like they'll last forever.


S'mores Ice Cream
(adapted from Brown-Eyed Girl)

For the Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream
1 10 ounce bag large marshmallows
1 tsp vanilla paste
2 cups whole milk
5 egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the fudge swirl
2 Tbsp butter
3 1/2 Tbsp cocoa
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup half-and-half

1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped graham crackers

For the ice cream:
Spread the marshmallows in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Place them under the broiler for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until toasted.  Take them out, and flip them over.  Put them back under the broiler for another 30 seconds, until the other side is toasted.  Set aside.

Place the milk in a medium saucepan and add the vanilla paste.  Set the pan over medium heat and bring mixture to a simmer.

Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and salt in a large, heatproof bowl.  Slowly add the warm milk mixture to the egg mixture, whisking constantly.  Pour the mixture back into the saucepan, using a rubber spatula to scrape the mixture from the bowl back into the pan.  Turn the heat down to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly with the spatula, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon.  (It should be between 170 and 175 degrees on a candy thermometer.)  Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl.

Let the mixture cool for about 15 minutes, stirring it every few minutes to help it cool faster.  Put the toasted marshmallows in the blender, then pour the custard in the blender too.  Puree until the marshmallows are broken down and the mixture is smooth.  Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract and blend again for 5 to 10 seconds to combine.  Pour the mixture into a bowl, cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for four hours or overnight.

For the fudge swirl:
Melt butter in a small pot.  Add cocoa and stir to blend.  Add sugar and half-and-half, and stir over medium heat until mixture thickens.  Chill before using.

To assemble:
When the custard is ready, make according to the ice cream maker's manufacturer directions.  If you're making it without an ice cream maker, use David Lebovitz's guidelines: pour the cooled mixture into a baking dish and put it in the freezer for about 45 minutes.  Then stir it very thoroughly, so any bits that are beginning to harden are completely mixed through.  Repeat these steps every half hour until the ice cream is thick and creamy, about 2 to 3 hours.

When the ice cream is made, gently fold in the chopped graham crackers.  Place some of the ice cream in a storage container, then spoon some of the fudge swirl on top.  Continue, alternating a layer of ice cream with a layer of fudge until finished.  Do not stir the fudge into the ice cream as it will make the ice cream muddy-looking.  Freeze until ice cream is firm, at least 2 hours.


32 comments:

Valerie Gamine said...

S'mores ice cream! Get out!! :D
This looks devilishly delicious - thank goodness for David Lebovitz's machine-less instructions!

I'm sure you will be an IKEA pro in no time. ;)

From the Kitchen said...

This looks delicious! I always look at Labor Day as the start of the last three weeks of summer. I'm not ready to let go prematurely although fall is my favorite time of year.

Best,
Bonnie

Kitchen Riffs said...

Great end of summer dessert! I've had plenty of s'mores, but never ice cream - love the idea. That Ikea stuff is kinda nifty - we have some bookcases that we bought years ago when we needed some in a hurry, and they're still looking OK (but don't look at them too closely or in too bright of a light!). Good stuff - thanks.

Anonymous said...

There can't be a better way to celebrate end of summer than to have these yummy treats with delight...they look so creamy and we have been devouring s'mores since ages,never thought about this wonderful treat...will be making it today,thanks for sharing :-)

Catherine said...

It looks very good! Nice end of summer.

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, looks like quite a delicious treat of a dessert for Labor Day weekend.

Angie's Recipes said...

It's officially autumn here...but that won't stop me from enjoying this great ice cream!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Wow! This looks delicious. I can't believe it's the end of summer and school starts tomorrow. Though really, there's less driving once the school season starts.

Paula Montenegro said...

I'm not much of a crafty person either, but I can make a mean ice cream. This one is insane Beth! toasting the marshmallows before adding them? genius

Belinda said...

Isn't it weird to know summer flew so fast? This ice cream I would eat any day!

Julie said...

Oh I want a bowl of this, nothing says summer like ice cream.

Bonnie said...

Oh this sounds wonderful. Ice cream (my favorite) and s'mores combined. Oh my! This sounds divine. I, too, have such fond memories of camp, both as a camper and counselor. Such fun times. Happy Monday!

Kathy said...

Labor Day always symbolizes the end of summer for me, too! However your ice cream will certainly keep you in the summer mood for awhile! It sounds heavenly! Have a great week, Beth!

Anonymous said...

What a great way to say goodbye to summer! I made a s'mores cheesecake a while ago, and since then I've had s'mores on my mind.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, this looks like one terrific ice cream! I've made marshmallow ice cream, but yours is on a whole other level! I had to giggle at you and your hubby putting together IKEA furniture. I moved Nick to his first apartment on a Friday...and left him with IKEA boxes to put together himself. But Bill went down on Saturday to help him finish up :) He and his friends actually got his bed together without parental intervention...I wasn't sure that would happen!

Ruth Schiffmann said...

This sounds a bit too ambitious for me, but Oooooo, those pictures sure are tempting.

Jemi Fraser said...

We had a bonfire in the backyard this weekend and had S'mores - yummy! I have to try this although I've never bought vanilla paste before - have to check that out :)

Sue said...

This ice cream sounds like the perfect good-bye-to-summer treat! YUM!

Sarah said...

I am all over smores everything at the moment, this looks gorgeous!

We Are Not Martha said...

One of my all-time favorite ice cream flavors and one of the best parts of summer! Your ice cream looks so pretty!

Sues

amy (fearless homemaker) said...

Oh heavens, this sounds SO good. I'd love a bowl right now! Perfect end to summer. =)

Katerina said...

Oh fall is here too Beth! The weather has chilled quite a bit especially at nights but I always enjoy a tasty ice cream like this one!

Jessica Lawson said...

Yum, that ice cream looks great! We've had a string of 80 degree days here, so it seems Fall hasn't quite arrived, BUTBUTBUT the Pumpkin Spice Latte is available at our local Starbucks. Starbucks apparently knows what nature does not :)

Anonymous said...

I feel the same way about Labor Day. It is a lot like New Year's Day... getting re-focused and experiencing all things new.

I like the s'mores ice cream, though! One last summer hurrah!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

This ice cream looks magical :D
You end summer with a bang and start my summer really well!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Anonymous said...

Yummy sounding ice cream!

Monet said...

Ah yes, S'mores do connote so many good things. Thank you for sharing this lovely ice cream Beth. I hope you have a blessed week!

Joanne said...

There's no better way to say goodbye to summer than with smores! Especially when they come in ice cream form. Super yum.

Unknown said...

This sounds like the PERFECT way to end the summer, very yummy looking!

Gloria Baker said...

I love s'mores and love this Ice cream so much beth!

grace said...

is there anything that lends itself better to transforming into different desserts than s'mores? i think not. fantastic batch of ice cream.

Unknown said...

S'mores ice cream-looks delish ;) We've done the IKEA furniture building thing-isn't that fun!!!

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