Ina Garten’s Luxurious Rum Raisin Ricotta Ice Cream Recipe

Summers call for creamy, decadent desserts that make every spoonful a luxurious experience, and this Ina Garten rum raisin ricotta ice cream recipe delivers pure indulgence.

Sweet raisins soaked in rich rum create a sophisticated flavor profile that dances across your palate.

The silky ricotta adds a delightful texture that sets this treat apart from ordinary ice cream.

Garten’s masterful technique ensures each bite is smooth and perfectly balanced.

Dark rum infuses depth and complexity into the classic dessert, elevating it from simple to extraordinary.

Raisins plumped with alcohol bring a subtle warmth and sweetness that complement the creamy base.

Serve this elegant dessert and watch as guests marvel at your culinary skills.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 7 hours

Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 514 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Rum Raisin Ricotta Ice Cream

• Golden Raisins: Plump, sweet gems that add delightful bursts of flavor and chewy texture to the dessert.
• Dark Rum: Rich, aromatic spirit that transforms ordinary raisins into a luxurious, boozy treat with deep complexity.

• Ricotta Cheese: Smooth, delicate cheese that creates a light and airy foundation for the ice cream.
• Cream Cheese: Adds rich, tangy depth and helps create a velvety smooth consistency.
• Sugar: Brings essential sweetness and helps prevent ice crystals from forming.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers warm, classic flavor that enhances the overall dessert profile.
• Almond Extract: Introduces a subtle, nutty undertone that elevates the ice cream's complexity.
• Kosher Salt: Balances and intensifies the other flavors, creating a more rounded taste.

• Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious richness and helps create a silky, creamy texture.
• Reserved Rum: Infuses the base with additional depth and ties the raisin flavor throughout the dessert.

Tools Required for Making Ina Garten’s Frozen Ricotta Treat

• Food Processor: Essential for blending ingredients smoothly and creating a creamy base.
• Small Saucepan: Perfect for boiling and soaking raisins in rum.
• Ice Cream Maker: Crucial for churning the mixture into a perfect frozen dessert.
• Quart-Sized Container: Ideal for chilling and storing the initial ice cream mixture.
• Storage Container: Needed for freezing the final ice cream.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Necessary for precise ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding raisins and transferring mixtures.

Follow These Steps for Ina Garten’s Rum Raisin Ice Cream

• Rum Raisin Romance

Create a delightful flavor fusion by soaking golden raisins in dark rum, allowing them to absorb rich, complex flavors that will burst in every spoonful of the ice cream.

• Creamy Blend Magic

Combine ricotta, cream cheese, sugar, and extracts in a food processor, transforming ordinary ingredients into a smooth, luxurious base that promises incredible texture and depth.

• Chill and Anticipate

Refrigerate the mixture, letting the flavors meld and intensify while the cream settles into a perfectly balanced foundation for your frozen treat.

• Churning Transformation

Use an ice cream maker to transform the chilled mixture into a silky, soft dessert, gently folding the rum-soaked raisins throughout to distribute their intense flavor evenly.

• Frozen Perfection

Transfer the freshly churned ice cream to a container and freeze until it reaches a delightful, scoopable consistency that will make taste buds dance with joy.

Flavor Swaps for Ina Garten’s Ice Cream

• Soak raisins overnight in rum for deeper, more intense flavor that permeates every bite of the ice cream.
• Experiment with different extract combinations like adding a touch of maple or replacing almond extract with coconut for unique flavor profiles.
• Chop rum-soaked raisins into smaller pieces for more even distribution and a smoother ice cream texture throughout.
• Skip the ice cream maker by freezing the mixture in a loaf pan, stirring every hour to break up ice crystals and create a creamy consistency.
• Garnish scoops with toasted pine nuts, a drizzle of dark chocolate sauce, or a sprinkle of sea salt to elevate the dessert's complexity and visual appeal.

Best Ways to Serve This Dessert from Ina Garten

• Pair Perfectly with Dessert Companions: Serve this rich, creamy rum raisin ricotta ice cream alongside warm brownies or a slice of dark chocolate cake for a luxurious flavor contrast.
• Elevate Your Garnish Game: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers or a light dusting of cinnamon on top to add texture and complement the rum-soaked raisin notes.
• Create a Decadent Sundae: Layer the ice cream in a glass with a drizzle of caramel sauce, whipped cream, and a few extra rum-soaked raisins for an indulgent dessert experience.
• Transform into an Adult Dessert: Serve a small scoop in a delicate espresso cup with a shot of espresso on the side for an elegant after-dinner treat that blends Italian and Caribbean influences.

Store Ina Garten’s Ice Cream Like a Pro

• Optimize Ice Cream Enjoyment: Serve this luxurious rum raisin ricotta dessert within 1-2 weeks for the best flavor and texture. Store in an airtight container at the back of the freezer to prevent freezer burn.
• Smart Preparation Tricks: Make the ice cream base up to 3 days ahead, keeping it refrigerated until you're ready to churn. This technique allows flavors to meld and saves time on serving day.
• Prevent Crystallization: Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap before sealing the container to minimize ice crystal formation and maintain a creamy, smooth consistency.
• Serving Temperature Hack: Remove the ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before scooping to achieve the perfect soft, easily-servable texture that showcases its rich, velvety nature.

Heavenly Ina Garten Rum Raisin Ricotta Ice Cream Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s rum raisin ricotta ice cream blends creamy Italian ricotta with plump raisins soaked in dark rum. Smooth and luxurious flavors create an elegant dessert sure to delight guests you want to impress.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup dark rum (Mount Gay)
• ¾ cup golden raisins
• 15 oz (1⅔ cups) fresh whole-milk ricotta
• 3 oz cream cheese, diced
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup cold heavy cream
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp pure almond extract
• Kosher salt (pinch)

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Instructions

1. Rum Raisin Infusion: Combine golden raisins and dark rum in a saucepan, bringing to a gentle boil. Remove from heat, cover, and cool completely. Drain raisins, reserving the aromatic rum liquid.
2. Flavor Base Preparation: Blend ricotta cheese, cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, kosher salt, and reserved rum in a food processor. Pulse until ingredients are thoroughly integrated, then gradually incorporate cold heavy cream until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Chilling and Aging: Transfer the liquid mixture to a quart-sized container and refrigerate for 1-48 hours to develop deeper flavors and ensure proper temperature.
4. Ice Cream Churning: Activate the ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Pour the chilled mixture into the machine and churn for 20-25 minutes until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. In the final moments of churning, gently fold the rum-soaked raisins throughout the partially frozen mixture.
5. Freezing and Setting: Carefully transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container, smoothing the surface. Seal tightly and freeze for 4-6 hours until firm. Before serving, let the ice cream rest at room temperature for 3-5 minutes to soften slightly, making it easier to scoop.

Notes

• Boost Rum Flavor: Reserve the rum liquid from soaking raisins to intensify the ice cream’s complex, boozy undertones.
• Ensure Smooth Texture: Process ingredients thoroughly in the food processor to create a silky, lump-free base that guarantees creamy perfection.
• Chill for Maximum Depth: Refrigerate the mixture for up to 48 hours to allow flavors to meld and develop a more sophisticated taste profile.
• Soften Before Serving: Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 3-5 minutes to achieve the ideal scooping consistency and optimal flavor release.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks, Drinks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 514
• Sugar: 64 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 67 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg