The Best Homemade Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Bars Recipe Ever

Crafting delectable homemade chocolate-covered ice cream bars might seem like a complex culinary adventure.

Smooth vanilla ice cream nestled between two crisp cookies creates a dreamy base.

Chilled treats sparkle with rich chocolate coating that crackles delightfully when you bite through.

Creamy layers meld together in a symphony of sweet textures.

Summer afternoons call for something special and cool.

Kids and adults alike will swoon over these decadent frozen delights.

Your kitchen becomes a gourmet dessert workshop with this simple yet impressive recipe.

Why You’ll Crave Homemade Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Bars

• Create Gourmet Treats at Home: Transform simple ingredients into restaurant-quality desserts without professional training or expensive equipment.
• Customize Every Bite: Experiment with different ice cream flavors, chocolate types, and toppings to match personal preferences or special dietary needs.
• Quick Weekend Dessert Project: Perfect for family cooking adventures, allowing kids and adults to participate in making delightful frozen treats together.
• Impressive Make-Ahead Dessert: Prepare these bars in advance for gatherings, parties, or unexpected sweet cravings, ensuring a delicious dessert is always ready.

Everything In Homemade Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Bars

• Vanilla Ice Cream: A creamy and smooth base that provides the main body of the frozen dessert.

• Dark Chocolate: A rich and intense chocolate that creates a delicious outer shell.
• Heavy Cream: Adds smoothness and helps create a glossy chocolate coating.
• Coconut Oil, Butter: These ingredients help the chocolate coating become smooth and provide a silky texture.

• Chopped Nuts, Chocolate Sprinkles: Add extra crunch and visual appeal to the finished ice cream bars.

• Parchment Paper: Helps with easy removal and prevents sticking during freezing and preparation.

How To Make Homemade Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Freezing Canvas

Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting extra paper hang over the sides for easy lifting later.

Step 2: Soften the Ice Cream Base

Allow vanilla ice cream to sit at room temperature, becoming soft and spreadable without fully melting.

Step 3: Create a Smooth Ice Cream Layer

Spread the softened ice cream evenly across the pan, forming a perfectly flat surface about 1-inch thick.

Step 4: Deep Freeze the Ice Cream Slab

Place the pan in the freezer for 2 hours until the ice cream becomes completely solid and firm.

Step 5: Shape Your Frozen Treats

Lift the frozen slab out using parchment paper edges and slice into neat rectangular bars with a sharp knife.

Step 6: Chill the Bars

Return the cut bars to the freezer while preparing the chocolate coating.

Step 7: Set Up the Chocolate Melting Station

Create a double boiler by positioning a heat-safe bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water.

Step 8: Craft the Chocolate Coating

• Dark chocolate
• Heavy cream
• Coconut oil
• Butter

Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 9: Cool the Chocolate Mixture

Remove from heat and let the chocolate rest for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken.

Step 10: Dunk and Coat

Quickly dip each frozen bar into the melted chocolate, using a fork to ensure complete coverage.

Step 11: Add Optional Crunch

• Chopped nuts
• Chocolate sprinkles

Step 12: Final Freeze

Place coated bars on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15-20 minutes until chocolate hardens completely.

Step 13: Store Your Decadent Treats

Keep the chocolate-covered ice cream bars in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one week.

Pro Tips For Homemade Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Bars

• Chill Utensils Beforehand: Freeze your cutting board, knife, and dipping fork to prevent ice cream from melting during preparation.
• Control Chocolate Temperature: Let melted chocolate cool slightly to achieve a thick, glossy coating that adheres perfectly to frozen bars.
• Prevent Sticky Mess: Use a cold fork when dipping bars to help chocolate set quickly and create a smooth, even layer.
• Experiment with Flavors: Swap vanilla ice cream for chocolate, mint, or coffee varieties to create unique taste combinations.
• Quick Release Technique: Use parchment paper overhang to easily lift and remove ice cream slab from pan without breaking.

Cool Ways To Change Homemade Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Bars

• Flavor Fusion Bars: Replace vanilla ice cream with coffee or mint chip ice cream for a bold flavor profile. Experiment with complementary chocolate coatings like white chocolate or milk chocolate for added complexity.
• Nutty Crunch Bars: Mix chopped almonds or pecans directly into the ice cream base before freezing. Roll chocolate-dipped bars in additional crushed nuts for extra texture and richness.
• Fruity Summer Bars: Swirl raspberry or strawberry puree into vanilla ice cream before freezing. Use dark chocolate coating and garnish with freeze-dried fruit pieces for a refreshing summer treat.
• Salted Caramel Decadence: Layer caramel sauce between two thin ice cream layers before freezing. Drizzle sea salt over chocolate-coated bars for a gourmet sweet-and-salty experience.

Sweet Pairings With Homemade Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Bars

• Indulgent Flavor Companions: Classic Red Wine Pairing
• Complement the rich chocolate-covered bars with a smooth, full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, which enhances the deep chocolate notes and provides a luxurious adult dessert experience.
• Nutty Crunch Topping Boost: Roasted Almond Sprinkle
• Scatter freshly roasted, finely chopped almonds over the chocolate coating for an added layer of crunch and nutty flavor that perfectly balances the creamy ice cream and smooth chocolate.
• Temperature Contrast: Warm Espresso Shot
• Serve a small, intense espresso shot alongside the cold ice cream bars to create a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that awakens the palate and elevates the dessert's complexity.

Keep Homemade Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Bars Frozen Right

• Place chocolate-covered ice cream bars in an airtight, freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal texture.
• Separate each bar with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent sticking and preserve individual bars' appearance.
• Keep bars consistently frozen at 0°F (-18°C) or lower to maintain quality and prevent ice crystal formation.
• Enjoy within one week for best taste and texture, as prolonged freezing can impact the ice cream's smoothness and chocolate coating's crispness.

FAQs On Homemade Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Bars

• Can I use a different type of ice cream flavor?

Yes, you can substitute vanilla with any flavor you prefer like chocolate, strawberry, or mint chocolate chip. Just ensure the ice cream is high-quality and creamy.

• What kind of chocolate works best for coating?

Dark chocolate provides the best flavor and texture, but milk or semi-sweet chocolate can also work well. Choose a high-quality chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content for best results.

• How do I prevent the ice cream from melting during coating?

Keep the ice cream bars completely frozen and work quickly when dipping. Have your chocolate coating ready and work in a cool environment. Work with just 2-3 bars at a time, keeping the rest in the freezer.

• Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare these bars up to a week in advance.

Homemade Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15-20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Indulgent chocolate-covered ice cream bars bring classic dessert nostalgia with creamy vanilla ice cream enrobed in rich chocolate shell. Cool summer treats like these promise pure bliss when sliced and served chilled for maximum deliciousness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups vanilla ice cream
• 2 cups dark chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Stabilizing/Coating Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter

Optional Mix-Ins/Toppings:

• 1/3 cup chopped nuts (almonds or peanuts)
• 2 tbsp chocolate sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring excess paper hangs over the edges for easy removal.
2. Soften vanilla ice cream at room temperature for 5-10 minutes until easily spreadable but not melting completely.
3. Spread the softened ice cream evenly into the prepared pan, creating a smooth, uniform layer approximately 1-inch thick.
4. Freeze the ice cream layer for 2 hours or until completely solid and firm to the touch.
5. Remove the frozen ice cream slab from the pan using the parchment paper overhang and cut into rectangular bars using a sharp knife.
6. Return the cut bars to the freezer while preparing the chocolate coating.
7. Create a double boiler by placing a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
8. Melt dark chocolate, heavy cream, coconut oil, and butter in the double boiler, stirring continuously until smooth and glossy.
9. Remove chocolate mixture from heat and let cool for 3-4 minutes to reach a slightly thickened consistency.
10. Quickly dip each frozen ice cream bar into the melted chocolate, using a fork to ensure complete coverage.
11. Optional: Immediately sprinkle chopped nuts or chocolate sprinkles over the chocolate-coated bars.
12. Place the coated bars on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for an additional 15-20 minutes until chocolate sets completely.
13. Store the chocolate-covered ice cream bars in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one week.

Notes

• Achieve the perfect ice cream consistency by letting it soften just enough to spread smoothly without melting completely.
• Use a sharp, clean knife dipped in hot water for precise, clean cuts when slicing the frozen ice cream slab into bars.
• Create a flawless chocolate coating by maintaining the right temperature – too hot will melt the ice cream, too cool will create a thick, uneven layer.
• Experiment with alternative coatings like white chocolate, salted caramel, or crushed cookie crumbs for unique flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Freezing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg