Feta & Honey Ice Cream with Crispy Phyllo Shards
Feta & Honey Ice Cream with Crispy Phyllo Shards is an innovative dessert that combines the creaminess of cheese ice cream with the sweetness of honey and the delightful crunch of phyllo. This unique dessert is not only a feast for the senses but also an indulgent treat that’s great for any occasion. The creamy texture of the ice cream paired with the crispy phyllo offers a beautiful contrast, making every bite a delightful experience. If you’re looking for an easy-to-follow recipe that will impress your family and friends, you’ve arrived at the right place! Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating this extraordinary dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Feta & Honey Ice Cream is truly a labor of love, yet it’s surprisingly simple! With just a handful of ingredients, you can craft a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for summer gatherings or cozy evenings at home. The melding of rich feta and sweet honey provides an irresistible flavor combination, while the crispy phyllo shards add an exciting crunch. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe—perfect for adaptation based on what you have at home or your personal preferences. Treat your taste buds and impress your guests with this simple but sophisticated dessert!
Ingredients
- 300 ml whole milk: Creamy and rich, it forms the base of your ice cream, offering a luxurious mouthfeel.
- 300 ml heavy cream: Adds a velvety texture and makes the ice cream decadently smooth.
- 100 g caster sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve the perfect frozen consistency.
- 4 egg yolks: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together beautifully.
- 120 g feta cheese (crumbled): The star ingredient, imparting a unique flavor that’s both tangy and creamy.
- 1 tsp lemon zest: Brings a burst of freshness that brightens the overall flavor.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors.
- 4 tbsp runny honey: Sweet, floral, and essential for drizzling over the ice cream.
- 1 small sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary (optional): Adds an aromatic hint that complements the honey.
- 4 sheets phyllo dough: Creates a crunchy, flaky texture that pairs perfectly with the ice cream.
- 3 tbsp melted butter: Binds the phyllo layers and adds a rich, buttery flavor.
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds or nigella seeds (optional): For an extra layer of flavor and crunch.
- Pinch of flaky salt: To sprinkle on top for a touch of salinity.
- Crushed pistachios (for garnish): Adds a nutty crunch and a pop of color.
- Extra lemon zest (for garnish): Brightens the dish visually and flavor-wise.
- Tiny oregano or mint leaves (for garnish): For a fresh touch and a beautiful finishing detail.
Step-by-Step Directions
Prepare the Ice Cream Base: In a saucepan, heat the milk and cream until steaming—don’t let it boil! While that’s warming, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar in a separate bowl until the mixture becomes pale and creamy. Once your milk is ready, slowly pour it over the egg yolks while whisking constantly. Return this mixture to the pot and cook on low heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
Flavor the Mixture: Once thickened, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the crumbled feta, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Use an immersion blender or standard blender to combine until the mixture is smooth. Let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours.
Churn the Ice Cream: Once your ice cream base has chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After churning, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for 2–4 hours to firm it up to the desired consistency.
Prepare the Phyllo Shards: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lay out the phyllo sheets and brush each with melted butter. Sprinkle sesame or nigella seeds and flaky salt over the layers. Gently layer and fold the phyllo sheets, then place them on a lined baking sheet. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crispy, checking frequently to avoid burning.
Make the Honey Syrup: In a small pot, gently heat the honey along with your chosen sprig of thyme or rosemary until fragrant, then remove the herbs. This step will infuse the honey with aromatic flavor and enhance your dessert.
Assemble and Serve: Scoop the chilled feta ice cream into serving bowls, then drizzle the warm honey syrup over each scoop. Top with crushed pistachios and a sprinkle of extra lemon zest. Serve with the crispy phyllo shards on the side for that perfect crunch.
Tips & Tricks
- Taste and Adjust: While blending the feta, taste the mixture before chilling. Feel free to adjust the salt or lemon zest to suit your palate.
- Phyllo Handling: Phyllo dough can dry out quickly, so cover sheets with a damp towel while you work.
- Storage: If you have leftover phyllo shards, store them in an airtight container to keep them crispy.
- Variations: Experiment with different cheeses such as ricotta or goat cheese for a unique twist on the classic.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
This Feta & Honey Ice Cream is a stunning showstopper that works well for various occasions, such as dinner parties, summer picnics, or holiday feasts. The rich flavors pair beautifully with fresh fruits like berries or stone fruits, and a glass of chilled dessert wine can complement the creamy texture and sweetness perfectly. For added delight, serve alongside fresh herbs or edible flowers for a beautiful presentation.
Nutritional Information
With all these delicious ingredients, one serving of Feta & Honey Ice Cream (approximately 1 cup) contains about 400 calories. It includes a nice balance of fats from the cream and feta while offering some protein from the cheese and egg yolks. Remember to enjoy this indulgent dessert in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Storing Tips & Variations
This ice cream can be stored in an airtight container in your freezer for up to two weeks. To prevent ice crystals from forming, be sure the container seals tightly. If the ice cream becomes too hard, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping. For variations, consider adding spices like cinnamon or cardamom to the ice cream base, or swap honey for maple syrup for a different flavor profile!
Conclusion
Feta & Honey Ice Cream with Crispy Phyllo Shards is a standout dessert that combines unique flavors and textures, perfect for elevating any meal. It’s a fun and delightful recipe that allows you to express your culinary creativity while delighting your taste buds. Try making it today and share your experience with family and friends—they’ll be glad you did!
FAQs
1. Can I use low-fat milk instead of whole milk?
Yes, you can use low-fat milk, but the creaminess of the ice cream will be reduced. For the best flavor, whole milk and heavy cream are recommended.
2. Is feta cheese essential for this recipe?
Yes, feta cheese is the defining ingredient in this recipe. However, you can try substituting it with similar creamy cheeses for a different taste.
3. What can I use if I don’t have an ice cream maker?
No worries! You can pour the ice cream base into a shallow container and freeze it. Stir it every 30 minutes for the first 2-3 hours to help incorporate air and prevent ice crystals.
4. How long can I store this ice cream?
This ice cream can be stored in the freezer for up to two weeks. Just ensure it’s kept in an airtight container to maintain its texture.
5. Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, to make a vegan version, you can substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream, the milk with plant-based milk, and use a vegan egg replacement in place of egg yolks!
Feta & Honey Ice Cream with Crispy Phyllo Shards
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 300 ml whole milk Creamy and rich, it forms the base of your ice cream.
- 300 ml heavy cream Adds velvety texture to the ice cream.
- 100 g caster sugar Provides sweetness and helps achieve the perfect frozen consistency.
- 4 pcs egg yolks Adds richness and helps bind ingredients.
- 120 g feta cheese (crumbled) The star ingredient, tangy and creamy.
- 1 tsp lemon zest Brings freshness to the flavor.
- 1 pinch salt Enhances sweetness and balances flavors.
Phyllo Shards
- 4 sheets phyllo dough Creates a crunchy texture.
- 3 tbsp melted butter Binds the phyllo layers.
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds or nigella seeds (optional) For extra flavor and crunch.
- 1 pinch flaky salt For sprinkling on top.
Honey Syrup
- 4 tbsp runny honey Sweet and floral, essential for drizzling.
- 1 small sprig fresh thyme or rosemary (optional) Adds an aromatic hint.
Garnishes
- Crushed to taste pistachios Adds nutty crunch.
- Extra to taste lemon zest Brightens the dish.
- Tiny to taste oregano or mint leaves For a fresh touch.
Instructions
Prepare the Ice Cream Base
- In a saucepan, heat the milk and cream until steaming without boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with sugar until pale and creamy. Slowly pour the warm milk over the egg yolks while whisking. Return to the pot and stir over low heat until thickened.
Flavor the Mixture
- Remove from heat and stir in crumbled feta, lemon zest, and salt. Blend until smooth, then cool to room temperature before chilling in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Churn the Ice Cream
- After chilling, pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for 2-4 hours.
Prepare the Phyllo Shards
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Brush the phyllo sheets with melted butter, sprinkle with sesame seeds and flaky salt, layer, fold, and bake on a lined sheet for 8-10 minutes or until golden.
Make the Honey Syrup
- Heat honey with thyme or rosemary until fragrant, then remove the herbs.
Assemble and Serve
- Scoop the ice cream into bowls, drizzle with honey syrup, and top with crushed pistachios and extra lemon zest. Serve with phyllo shards.