st patricks day dessert |

I have a special place in my heart for Ireland, having spent a semester in college (and a St. Patrick’s Day) in Galway. However, since most Irish cuisine leaves something to be desired, I prefer to enjoy Irish drinks instead. This year I got experimental and made Irish Car Bomb Ice Cream, which tastes like the popular St. Paddy’s Day shot but results in fewer shenanigans! Slainte!

Bailey’s Ice Cream
1 1/2 C heavy cream
1 1/2 C half and half
2/3 C Bailey’s
8 egg yolks
3/4 C sugar
1/4 tsp salt

Guinness-Jameson Sauce
1 C brown sugar
1/4 C butter
1/2 C half and half
1/2 C Guinness
2 tsp Jameson whiskey
1 Tbsp corn starch

In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar and salt until light yellow and smooth. In a large saucepan, heat half and half, cream and Bailey’s until just beginning to simmer. Extract a cup of the cream mixture and whisk it into the egg mixture. Pour the egg mixture into the saucepan of cream, whisking constantly until mixed. Prepare a large bowl with an ice bath and have a medium glass bowl ready to place in it. Monitor and stir custard mix until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon without separating. At that time, pour it into your glass bowl and place it in the ice bath. Cool in freezer for 30 minutes and transfer to an ice cream maker.

While ice cream is chilling, beat together butter and brown sugar until creamy in a small bowl. Whisk in half and half and set aside. In a small sauce pan, combine Guinness and Jameson and heat to a simmer for 5 minutes. Working in thirds, whisk in the sugar mixture, cooking on a simmer for about 10 minutes between each batch. Whisk in corn starch. Sauce should be about the consistency of warm caramel. Chill in freezer until cool.

Follow the instructions for your ice cream maker to blend ice cream, swirling in half of the sauce. Freeze for 3-4 hours or overnight if possible. Top with remaining sauce to serve.

NOTE: Don’t like Jameson or Guinness? Don’t worry, the whiskey bite cooks off and you get a rich caramel-y sauce. Since you don’t need much, I like to get a single airplane bottle, which is much cheaper.