
Whatever ice cream you love, whatever your favorite is, that is about to change. That’s how (over)confident I feel about this. Prepare yourselves!
Years ago, I tried Ben and Jerry’s Cheesecake Brownie flavor. And it was such a great flavor. After all, what could be better than cheesecake ice cream with brownie chunks? I asked myself that very question while I made this ice cream.
Answer? Cheesecake ice cream with BIGGER brownie chunks and chocolate chunks to boot! You’re welcome. Feel free to send me an award of some kind.
By the time this goes up, I’ll be sitting at my office computer, twiddling my thumbs. We had quite a few snow days this year, so the school system dutifully tacked days onto the end to make up for lost time. And that would make sense, if not for one small detail: kids in high school take final exams and leave.
So that leaves us, their loyal teachers, a few extra days to clean out our rooms, file papers, clear off desks, and finalize grades. It’s nice to have the time, but I have the bad habit of not procrastinating at the workplace. Or anywhere. You might think that’s a good thing, but I happen to believe that procrastination is a hidden virtue. Back in the day, I was a champion procrastinator and I was happy, lazy and carefree. Now I get everything done well before it needs to be, and instead of relaxing, do you know what happens?
I find more things to do. I am a bastion of productivity. As a result, there are very few thumb-twiddling moments, and that is not okay. Being lazy is a virtue. I said it, and I meant it. That’s why when all the students are gone and I’m sitting around with nothing left to do, it’s a rare feeling of boredom.
Then the summer whirlwind begins, and if you’re a parent, you know that summer is not relaxing. It’s a lot more work. That’s why you have to stock the freezer with cool, loaded cheesecake brownie chunk ice cream!
My number one complaint with ice cream is the stinginess of so many brands when it comes to mix-ins. So I was sure to chop up half a brownie pan and dump those delightful piecesย into this ice cream along with another cup of giant chocolate chunks. Let nobody accuse me of having any one bite not include mix-ins!
This recipe is no-churn, which means I mixed it all up in a bowl, froze it, and that was the end. I also put the ice cream in adorable mini ice cream containers to portion out helpings. I want to scoop giant spoonfuls into my mouth, but when I hit the bottom of the little containers, that’s all for now!
The ice cream itself is creamy and tastes just like cheesecake, probably because of the block of cream cheese in it. That helps. And when your summer hits, you’ll either do what’s on your list of tasks or kick back. But procrastinator or not, you’ll have ice cream to keep you company!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Before you make the ice cream, make the brownies. Note: if you'd like to substitute a boxed mix, that's fine. Pick one that fits an 8-inch square pan.
- Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8 X 8 pan with foil and spray it with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix the cocoa into the melted butter until it dissolves. Add the sugar and stir again. When the sugar is incorporated, mix in the vanilla and eggs. Add the salt and flour, mixing until just combined.
- Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until done. Cool completely and cover. Place the brownies in the refrigerator to chill.
- Make the ice cream.
- In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until creamy. Add the sweetened condensed milk and stir until the mixture is smooth. Fold in the Cool Whip until all is combined. Add the chocolate chunks and brownie chunks, folding in carefully.
- Place the mixture in ice cream containers or a freezer-safe pan. Cover loosely and freeze overnight. Because the mixture is no-churn, it will melt on the counter a little faster, so don't leave the ice cream out for long.
- You can use the other half brownie pan for whatever floats your boat!
Mir – Happy End of the Year! It’s our last week of school as well. I don’t have children yet, so I hope to have a semi-lazy summer. That might not yet happen if my boyfriend closes on his house. We’ll be busy painting, cleaning, and repairing. Before I freak out about how much “might” happen this summer, I’m going to make this ice cream. ๐
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Mexican Pasta Salad
I hope your lazy summer becomes a reality, Erin! Or at least, your semi-laziness. Ice cream will help regardless!
I’ll totally send you an award for this! Those brownie and chocolate chunks look amazing!
Sues recently posted…Summer Rosรฉ Spritzer
Thanks, Sues! I will take it! ๐
Mir, I’ve never quite thought of procrastination or being lazy in this way . . but hey, that means I’m a-ok!!! ๐ ok, I’m with you on the load-up-the-ice-cream-with-all-the-chocolate-chunks-and-brownies!!!!! I’m all about biting into those sweet little morsels of goodness while eating ice cream and being the lucky one who gets the BIG chunk!!! love this ice cream and here’s to a lot more this summer!!!!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables
But everyone gets the lucky BIG chunk, Alice! Because they’re everywhere! And you’re always a-ok. We need to embrace every bit of laziness!
Mir – I was totally the same way! I lovedddd being lazy when I was younger. And now? I get antsy if I don’t finish my to-do list. Funny how we grow out of that stuff! (Although, some days, I wish I could turn my brain off and be lazy). I’m loving everything about this ice cream (especially the no skimp chunks of ice cream)! Great recipe!
Heather – Butter & Burlap recently posted…Potato Salad with Creamy Feta & Herb Dressing
How do we become those productive people, Heather? NO idea. But I wish I could turn my brain off, too!
Screw stingy ice cream stores! All hail the homemade! My favorite places are actually the froyo shops that let you add your toppings – doesn’t everyone understand that a 1:1 ratio is the only way to do it?? I dig this ice cream like nobody’ business. Summer procrasti(not)baking at it’s finest, amiright?
Mary Frances recently posted…{Skinny} Caramel Scotcheroo Brownies
I looooove the fro yo shops. I want to live there in the summertime. And cover my fro yo with PB cups!
Wow, Mira! What an awesome idea of making cheesecake brownie chunk ice-cream! I bet this tastes heavenly! ๐
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen recently posted…Mushroom Pepper Pilaf With Grilled Veggies, Honey Mustard Yogurt And Chili Peanuts
Thanks, Anu!
I will totally send you an award for this ice cream! Super loaded with goodies AND no churn? Sign me up! There is no stinginess going here!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Peach and Prosciutto Pizza
Stingy ice cream might not as well exist, Rachelle. I feel this strongly.
Oh. man. I love a ton of mix-ins (I totally agree, so many companies seem just so stingy about that!) and I love the look of this!
Thanks, Sam! It’s great when you can control what goes into your own recipe!
It’s so hot here today, I really need this ice cream in my life!! looks amazing and Mir good job on the photos ๐
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Mint Paratha
Oh, thanks so much, Manali! That’s the best compliment.
yummm! this brownie ice cream looks DE-lish! and I LOVE the little portion containers ๐ so cool plus nice and convienient!
Michele @ Two Raspberries recently posted…Our Garden 2015
Little containers make me happy, Michele! Thanks much!
This ice cream looks like the perfect end of the school year treat, Mir! I’m loving that you added in bigger brownie chunks! This looks delicious and so refreshing on this hot day!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies
Thanks, Gayle! Big brownie chunks = Happy Mir! ๐
I think it’s crazy they make you stay without the kids!! Weird! This ice cream is not weird, it’s perfect!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…No Bake Strawberry Shortcake Pie
It’s crazy, but I guess we need to log in hours or something. Thanks, Dorothy!
Oh my goodness! This ice cream sounds divine! I agree – every bite should have a mix-in. ๐
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen recently posted…Tortellini Antipasto Pasta Salad with Newmanโs Own Dressing
Thanks, Christin! I’m glad we can agree on that. Especially if mix-ins are brownies!
This is like my dream ice cream. Seriously. Send any leftovers my way ๐
Danielle recently posted…S’mores Fudge
Ha! Will do, Danielle!
This ice cream looks fantastic Mir! And I agree, there’s never enough mix-ins in the store-bought stuff, which is always disappointing!
This ice cream looks fantastic Mir! And I agree, there’s never enough mix-ins in the store-bought stuff, which is always disappointing!
Thanks, Stacey! I love Ben and Jerry’s, I do. I just wanted to add MORE.
Hope you have a great summer break Mir! Ice cream and cheesecake in one? Love it! Great it is no churn ๐ Going on my list to make this week!
mira recently posted…20 Minute Pasta Carbonara
Thanks, Mira! I’m excited to finally be off!!
AAAH!! MIR! You are totally right, this is 100% the best ice cream in existence. I’ve never tried this flavour before – it is such an incredible combo! Brownies, cheesecake, ice cream – its all of the top desserts rolled into one! Amazing!! You are so talented!
Harriet Emily recently posted…DESSERT FOR ONE: MOCHA MUFFIN
You’re way too sweet, Harriet Emily! I was probably being immodest. There is better ice cream. But this one is very nice!
Can I have a triple scoop of this – THANKS! ๐
GiGi Eats recently posted…Letting the Inside, Out: Fun Facts About The Movie, Inside Out
You anywhere near my freezer, GiGi? ๐