Mexican Fried Ice Cream is a dessert that captures the perfect balance of contrasts: crispy, warm, and sweet on the outside, with the cold, creamy goodness of ice cream on the inside. It’s an indulgent treat that has gained popularity in many Mexican restaurants and homes, offering a fun and exciting way to enjoy ice cream. This dessert combines the flavors of cinnamon, sugar, and crunchy textures, all enveloping a creamy, cold center that makes every bite a delightful surprise.
Though it sounds like a complicated dish, Mexican Fried Ice Cream is surprisingly easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. It has become a beloved option for those looking to put a fun spin on traditional desserts. Whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a special occasion, or simply indulging in a treat, Mexican Fried Ice Cream is sure to be a showstopper.
In this article, we’ll dive into the full details of how to make this dessert, its origins, variations, and much more.
Overview of the Recipe
The core concept of Mexican Fried Ice Cream is simple: a scoop of ice cream is coated in a crispy, cinnamon-sugar crust, and then briefly deep-fried to create a warm, crunchy shell that contrasts beautifully with the cold, creamy ice cream inside. The coating is typically made from a combination of cornflakes, cinnamon, and sugar, although some recipes call for other ingredients like crushed cookies or toasted coconut. After deep-frying, the ice cream is often drizzled with honey, chocolate syrup, or caramel sauce, and occasionally garnished with whipped cream or a cherry on top.
The process of frying the ice cream is brief, ensuring that the outer coating becomes crispy and golden, while the ice cream inside remains frozen. This makes it an impressive treat to serve, as it offers an element of surprise when sliced open to reveal the still-frozen ice cream center.
The dish can be made with various ice cream flavors, but vanilla, chocolate, and cinnamon are the most common choices. You can also experiment with toppings such as nuts, sprinkles, or even a touch of chili powder for an extra kick.
History and Origin
Mexican Fried Ice Cream is often associated with Mexican cuisine, but its actual origins are somewhat unclear. It is widely believed that the dish was created in the United States, particularly in the Southwestern regions where Mexican food is prevalent. While fried ice cream has become a popular dessert in Mexican restaurants, it is not a traditional dish in Mexican culinary history.
Some food historians suggest that the concept of frying ice cream emerged in the 1960s or 1970s in American Chinese restaurants, where deep-fried ice cream was served as a novelty dessert. The dessert gained further attention in the 1980s when it was featured on menus at various Mexican restaurants, where it was embraced as a fun, fusion-style dessert that married the cold and creamy elements of ice cream with the warm, crunchy texture of a fried coating.
In Mexico, desserts like churros and buñuelos are more traditional, but the concept of combining fried elements with ice cream was likely inspired by the popularity of deep-fried desserts in both American and Mexican culinary cultures. The dish gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, often served at fairs, restaurants, and holiday celebrations.
Today, Mexican Fried Ice Cream is a beloved treat in many countries and has become a staple of Mexican-inspired menus worldwide. Despite its modern American origins, it continues to evoke the spirit of Mexican street food and offers a playful way to experience the joys of fried desserts.
Ingredients
Making Mexican Fried Ice Cream at home requires just a few simple ingredients. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
Ice Cream:
- 4 scoops of your favorite ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, or cinnamon are traditional options)
Coating:
- 2 cups cornflakes, crushed
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for added flavor)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (to help coat the ice cream)
- 1/2 cup egg wash (whisked eggs with a pinch of salt)
Frying:
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Toppings:
- Honey, chocolate syrup, or caramel sauce
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Cherries (optional)
Garnishes (optional):
- Cinnamon powder or toasted almonds or chopped pistachios
Instructions
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making Mexican Fried Ice Cream.
1: Scoop and Freeze the Ice Cream
- Scoop the Ice Cream: Using a scoop or an ice cream spoon, take four large scoops of ice cream and place them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Try to form round, even scoops.
- Freeze: Freeze the ice cream scoops for at least 2-3 hours, or until they are firm and solid. This step is crucial for ensuring that the ice cream doesn’t melt too quickly when frying.
2: Prepare the Coating
- Crush the Cornflakes: In a large bowl, crush the cornflakes into small pieces. You can use a food processor or a Ziploc bag with a rolling pin to crush them.
- Mix the Coating: Add the sugar, ground cinnamon, and shredded coconut (if using) to the crushed cornflakes. Mix until everything is evenly combined. This will create the crunchy, cinnamon-sugar coating that will form the outer shell of the fried ice cream.
- Prepare the Egg Wash: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and a pinch of salt to make an egg wash.
3: Coat the Ice Cream
- Coat in Flour: First, dip each ice cream scoop into the flour, making sure it gets lightly coated. This helps the egg wash to stick better.
- Dip in Egg Wash: Next, dip the floured ice cream scoop into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Coat in Cornflakes: Roll the egg-washed ice cream scoop into the cinnamon-sugar cornflake mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks evenly around the entire scoop. Repeat this process with all the ice cream scoops.
- Freeze Again: After coating, place the ice cream back into the freezer for at least 30 minutes to an hour to ensure that the coating stays firm and doesn’t melt during frying.
4: Fry the Ice Cream
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot, but not smoking, at around 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Ice Cream: Carefully place one ice cream scoop at a time into the hot oil. Fry for about 10-15 seconds, just until the coating turns golden brown and crispy. The ice cream will stay cold inside.
- Drain: Remove the fried ice cream with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel to drain off excess oil.
5: Serve and Garnish
- Serve Immediately: Serve the fried ice cream immediately after frying while it’s still warm and crispy.
- Top with Sauce and Garnishes: Drizzle with honey, chocolate syrup, or caramel sauce, and garnish with whipped cream and a cherry if desired. You can also sprinkle with extra cinnamon or nuts for added flavor.
Pairing and Serving Suggestions
Mexican Fried Ice Cream is a rich, indulgent dessert, so it pairs well with lighter, refreshing options to balance the flavors. Here are some ideas for serving and pairing:
- Tropical Fruit Salad: A fresh tropical fruit salad, with pineapple, mango, and berries, makes a refreshing contrast to the warmth and crunch of the fried ice cream.
- Café de Olla: The Mexican spiced coffee drink, Café de Olla, is an excellent beverage pairing for Mexican Fried Ice Cream. The cinnamon and piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar) notes in the coffee complement the cinnamon-sugar coating of the fried ice cream.
- Coconut Sorbet: For a lighter alternative, serve a scoop of coconut sorbet alongside the fried ice cream. The coconut flavor will pair beautifully with the cinnamon and sugar of the dessert.
Variations of the Recipe
While the classic Mexican Fried Ice Cream is delicious as is, there are many ways to customize the recipe and add your own twist.
- Different Ice Cream Flavors: Experiment with flavors like chocolate, dulce de leche, or pistachio to create a unique fried ice cream experience.
- Add Spice: For a bit of heat, sprinkle chili powder or cayenne pepper over the fried ice cream for a sweet and spicy contrast.
- Crumbled Cookies: Instead of cornflakes, try using crushed graham crackers or oatmeal cookies for a different texture and flavor.
- Dipped in Chocolate: Before frying, dip the ice cream scoop into melted chocolate to create a chocolate coating, then coat it with the cinnamon-sugar mixture for an extra indulgent treat.
Health Benefits Notes
While Mexican Fried Ice Cream is undeniably rich and indulgent, it contains a few ingredients that can offer some nutritional benefits:
- Ice Cream: Ice cream provides calcium and vitamin D, which are important for bone health.
- Pistachios: If using pistachios as a topping, they are rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making them a good addition for heart health.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties and may help regulate blood sugar levels when used in moderation.
However, the deep-frying process makes this dessert best enjoyed in moderation as a special treat.
FAQs
1. Can I make Mexican Fried Ice Cream without deep-frying?
Yes, you can bake the coated ice cream scoops at 400°F (200°C) for about 5-7 minutes until the coating is crispy and golden. This will provide a healthier alternative.
2. What’s the best type of ice cream to use?
Vanilla, chocolate, and cinnamon ice cream are popular choices, but you can get creative with flavors like caramel, coffee, or even matcha.
3. Can I prepare this in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the ice cream scoops and freeze them ahead of time. Just coat and fry right before serving.
Conclusion
Mexican Fried Ice Cream is an exciting, flavorful dessert that blends the contrast of warm, crispy coating with cold, creamy ice cream. It’s the perfect treat to impress guests or simply indulge yourself. Whether you stick to the classic version or experiment with different flavors and toppings, this dessert is sure to delight. So why not try making it yourself and experience the joy of this unique and delicious treat?
Recommended Recipes
- Churros: Try making traditional Mexican churros for another fried dessert that pairs wonderfully with ice cream.
- Sopapillas: Light and fluffy, these fried pastries often pair with honey and make a perfect addition to any Mexican-inspired meal.
- Dulce de Leche Flan: A creamy caramel flan is a classic Mexican dessert that offers a rich and velvety finish to any meal.