Cheese Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 block processed cheese about 165g
- 2 cups all-purpose cream or whipping cream, chilled overnight
- 1 block cream cheese
- 1 can condensed milk
- yellow food coloring optional
Instructions
- Grate the processed cheese using a coarse grater or cut it into small cubes. You want it to be chunky for a nice texture.
- In a bowl, whip the cream until it’s smooth, fluffy, and almost doubled in size. Pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
- In a large bowl, blend together the cream cheese and condensed milk. Use an electric mixer on high speed until the mixture is smooth, light, and fluffy.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula. Keep folding until everything is well combined.
- Optional: Mix in a few drops of yellow food coloring along with the grated cheese
- Transfer the mixture into an ice cream tub or rectangular pan. Tap the pan on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Cover the top with plastic wrap, pressing it flat onto the surface of the mixture. Stick it in the freezer for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- When it’s frozen solid, scoop out the cheese ice cream into serving bowls or cones
Details Behind My Filipino Cheese Ice Cream Recipe
Cheese Ice Cream Recipe – A variety of unique ice cream flavors exist all over. Cheese ice cream may not seem like the sweetest treat but it can be a sweet and salty dessert to enjoy. Otherwise known as queso ice cream, there is a lot to know about the dessert. Generally, cheese ice cream is known as a popular Filipino frozen treat crafted with cheddar cheese. It is often found alongside vibrant yellow sorbetes ice cream.
Moreover, it’s frequently served in a cone with scoops of ube, vanilla, and chocolate flavors. This unique delicacy can be enjoyed in many creative ways, such as sandwiched between pandesal bread rolls or combined with corn kernels in the beloved dessert mais con queso. Historically, its roots date back to the early 1900s when ice cream shops were introduced to Manila, offering classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla.
However, it was local vendors and parlors that made native flavors such as mango, coconut, ube, and cheese widely popular. Using carabao’s milk, the same milk used for Kesong Puti white cheese, in early recipes gave it its unique flavor. After World War II, cheddar cheese was added, creating the delightful blend of sweet and salty known today.
Additional Notes for My Cheese Ice Cream Recipe
For delicious cheese ice cream, chill your ingredients and freeze your mixing tools for 30 minutes. When mixing in whipped cream, fold gently to keep it fluffy. Adding a bit of vanilla essence boosts the flavor, and you can add cheese bits for authenticity. Adjust the cheese amount to your liking and consider adding food coloring for a yellow tint if desired. Sweet corn kernels can add texture.
Serve the ice cream in bowls, cones, or sandwiches, and store it at the back of the freezer to maintain its texture and taste. Covering with parchment or plastic wrap prevents ice crystals from forming. These steps ensure your cheese ice cream stays tasty until the end.
Other Cold Filipino Desserts
There is a variety of cold treats to enjoy in Filipino cuisine. If you want another iced treat, there is iskrambol. Iskrambol is a popular frozen treat commonly enjoyed on Filipino streets. It consists of banana-flavored shaved ice mixed with milk and topped with various toppings like sprinkles, mini marshmallows, and chocolate or strawberry syrup.
What makes Iskrambol unique is its bright red color, achieved by adding drops of red food coloring to the ice. Its name, “Iskrambol,” comes from the Filipino word for “scramble,” emphasizing the need to mix all the toppings with the ice before eating.
Another option is sago at gulaman. Sago at gulaman, also called “sago’t gulaman” or “gulaman,” is a popular Filipino drink made with sago pearls and gulaman jellies. It’s lightly sweetened with muscovado or brown sugar and flavored with pandan leaves. Sometimes tapioca pearls are used instead of sago. It is one of many sweet drinks to try.
Other Filipino Street Treats
In addition to cold treats, there is a variety of Filipino street snacks to try. One classic treat you can try is taho. Taho is a comfort food composed of fresh soft or silken tofu, arnibal (a caramel-like syrup), and sago pearls. Traditionally, it features a caramel sauce, but there are variations available, such as Strawberry Taho, offering diverse flavors for enjoyment.
If you prefer something less sweet, there is maruya. Maruya consists of saba bananas dipped in batter and fried until golden, then coated with sugar. Despite its indulgent appearance, Maruya can serve as a relatively healthy snack option. The size of the saba bananas used can influence the shape of the resulting fritters, offering variations in size and presentation.
Overall, there are plenty of sweet treats and street snacks to try in Filipino cuisine. Whatever you are craving, there is something fun to try.
