Why it works: Condensed milk and evaporated milk match in chemistry and in kitchens. They rank in the top 1% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 168 recipes. Both carry ethanol, which smells alcoholic, ethereal. The science ↓
Cherry Cordial Ice Cream
Ingredients
Directions
Make the ice cream
Combine all ingredients in an ice cream freezer container; mix well.
Freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Freeze leftovers.
Refrigerator-freezer method
(Refrigerator-Freezer Method) Omit half-and-half. Whip whipping cream. In a large bowl, combine EAGLE BRAND Sweetened Condensed Milk, 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; mix well.
Fold in whipped cream.
Pour into a 9x5-inch loaf pan or other 2-quart container. Cover. Freeze 6 hours or until firm. Freeze leftovers.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
What these numbers assume: 6 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate | 1 oz (28g) semisweet | 155 |
| Milk | 1 cup (244ml) whole | 149 |
| Cherry | 1 cup (138g) | 87 |
| Cream | 1 tbsp (15ml) heavy | 51 |
| Vanilla | 1 tsp extract (4ml) | 12 |
| Almond | 1 almond (1.2g) | 7 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
-
Condensed milk + evaporated milktop 1% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together168 recipes
Shared aroma: ethanol (alcoholic, ethereal).
-
Vanilla + almondtop 4% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together3,961 recipes
Shared aroma: eucalyptol (eucalyptus, herbal).
-
Chocolate + vanillatop 5% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together10,020 recipes
Shared aroma: sotolon (curry, maple).
-
Chocolate + almondtop 9% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together1,733 recipes
Shared aroma: 2,3-pentanedione (butter, sweet).
-
Cream + chocolatetop 11% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together5,466 recipes
Shared aroma: delta-decalactone (sweet, creamy).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Provides sweetness and a creamy body that keeps the ice cream smooth without ice crystals.
- Whipping cream
- Adds fat and air when whipped, giving a light, rich texture.
- Half-and-half
- Adds moisture and dairy richness to the base for a softer, creamier freeze.
- Maraschino cherries
- Supply fruit flavor and moisture; chopping and draining keeps them from making the ice cream icy.
- Mini chocolate chips
- Add contrasting texture and bits of chocolate that stay firm when frozen.
The step that matters
Fold in whipped cream. Folding gently keeps the air trapped in the whipped cream, which gives the frozen dessert its light texture. Stirring vigorously would deflate it and leave a denser result.
Swap the almond
How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream, chocolate, vanilla):
- Almondthe original
- Hazelnutfits about as well
- Peanutfits less well
- Pecansfits less well
Fit is the average pairing score against condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream, chocolate, vanilla. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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