The Tonight Dough from Ben & Jerry's features a decadent blend of chocolate and caramel ice creams swirled with gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter cookie dough, studded with fudge chunks for a rich and indulgent dessert experience.
Equipments
- Ice cream maker
- Mixing bowls
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Plastic wrap or airtight containers
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup peanut butter chips
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips (for cookie dough)
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter chips (for cookie dough)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for cookie dough)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for cookie dough)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (for cookie dough)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for cookie dough)
- Pinch of salt (for cookie dough)
- 1 tablespoon milk (for cookie dough)
- 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate (for fudge chunks)
Use high-quality dairy ingredients like heavy cream and whole milk to achieve the creamy texture characteristic of The Tonight Dough ice cream. Ensure you measure your sugars accurately, as the balance between granulated and brown sugar affects both sweetness and moisture in the cookie dough mix. Incorporate unsweetened cocoa powder and pure vanilla extract to enhance the chocolate and caramel flavors authentically. When making the cookie dough, handle the dough gently to maintain the correct consistency for mixing into the ice cream base. You can recreate The Tonight Dough from Ben & Jerry's at home with this copycat menu by carefully combining chocolate and caramel creams with chocolate chip and peanut butter cookie dough chunks.
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread 1/2 cup flour on a baking sheet.
- Bake flour for 5 minutes to heat-treat, then cool.
- In a bowl, cream 2 tbsp unsalted butter with 3 tbsp granulated sugar and 1 tbsp brown sugar.
- Mix in 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and 1 tbsp milk.
- Stir in cooled flour until combined.
- Divide the dough in half.
- To one half, fold in 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips.
- To the other half, fold in 2 tbsp peanut butter chips.
- Roll both doughs into small balls/gobs.
- Place gobs on a parchment-lined sheet and freeze.
- Chop 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate into small fudge chunks; chill.
- In a saucepan, whisk together 1 cup whole milk, 2 cups heavy cream, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 2 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt, and 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat until smooth and sugar dissolves.
- Whisk in 1/2 cup caramel sauce until blended; cool the base completely.
- Chill the mixture until very cold (at least 4 hours or overnight).
- Churn in an ice cream maker per manufacturer's instructions.
- During the last 2–3 minutes, fold in frozen cookie dough gobs, fudge chunks, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, and 1/4 cup peanut butter chips.
- Layer churned ice cream into containers, swirling extra caramel sauce if desired.
- Cover with plastic wrap or airtight lids.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours until firm.
- Scoop, serve, and enjoy!
Substitution
The Tonight Dough from Ben & Jerry's copycat recipe combines chocolate and caramel ice creams with generous swirls of chocolate chip and peanut butter cookie dough, enhanced by rich fudge chunks for authentic indulgence. If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can use a no-churn method by freezing the mixture in a shallow container and stirring every 30 minutes until firm. Substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free option, keeping in mind the texture might be slightly different. Use store-bought caramel sauce if making your own is inconvenient, ensuring it complements the peanut butter and chocolate flavors. Your cookie dough can be replaced with pre-packaged edible dough to save time, but fresh preparation ensures the best flavor and texture integration.
Tips
Ensure you heat-treat the flour by baking it for 5 minutes before using it in your cookie dough to eliminate any harmful bacteria. When whisking the ice cream base on the stove, maintain medium heat and stir continuously until the sugar fully dissolves to prevent graininess. Chill the ice cream mixture thoroughly for at least 4 hours or overnight to achieve a smooth texture during churning. You should fold in frozen cookie dough gobs, fudge chunks, and chips during the last 2-3 minutes of churning to evenly distribute mix-ins without melting them.
Nutritions
The Tonight Dough ice cream contains high amounts of saturated fat and simple sugars due to its heavy cream, caramel sauce, and generous chocolate and peanut butter cookie dough inclusions. Each serving provides a rich source of calories and carbohydrates, primarily from the added sugars like granulated sugar and brown sugar in both the ice cream base and cookie dough components. The protein content is relatively low but present from milk and butter ingredients, while fiber is minimal because of the refined flour and sugar predominance. You should enjoy this indulgent treat in moderation, as its dense nutritional profile can quickly contribute to excess calorie intake.
Storage
Store Your homemade Tonight Dough ice cream in airtight containers or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and maintain its creamy texture. Keep it in the coldest part of your freezer, ideally at 0degF (-18degC) or below, and avoid frequent temperature fluctuations by minimizing door openings. Consume within two weeks for optimal freshness and flavor intensity.
Variation or Alternatives
You can swap the semisweet chocolate fudge chunks for dark chocolate or white chocolate chunks to customize sweetness and intensity. For the cookie dough, try incorporating chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts for added crunch and flavor complexity. Instead of caramel sauce, swirl in dulce de leche or a homemade salted caramel for a more pronounced caramel note. If you prefer a softer texture, reduce the freezing time after churning but before adding the cookie dough and chunks to maintain creaminess.
Allergies
The Tonight Dough contains common allergens like milk, peanuts, and wheat, which can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The ice cream base made with heavy cream and whole milk poses a risk for those with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance. Your safety is paramount, so it is advisable to carefully review ingredient lists and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any allergies before consuming this dessert.
Why this recipe?
The Tonight Dough from Ben & Jerry's features a rich combination of chocolate and caramel ice cream with chocolate cookie dough and peanut butter cookie dough chunks, creating a unique flavor profile that appeals to diverse taste preferences. Its balanced blend of textures and flavors makes it a standout option in the premium ice cream market, ensuring a satisfying indulgence. You'll appreciate the opportunity to craft a homemade version, as recreating this iconic dessert allows for customization and freshness that can rival the original. Mastering a copycat recipe brings the joy of this beloved treat right to your kitchen, providing both convenience and creative satisfaction.