Coconut Macadamia Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

July is national ice cream month! So today, and for the rest of July, I'll be posting some of my new favorites. I must say, it's going to take a lot to top this one! Coconut flavored ice cream with shreds of real coconut, chopped macadamia nuts and mini chocolate chips - could it get any better? I doubt it. And it couldn't get any easier either. Just look how quickly this comes together!

This ice cream gets its coconut flavor from cream of coconut. This is NOT coconut milk; look for it in your supermarket near the wine or drink mixes, since it's usually used for pina coladas.



In a large measuring cup, combine the half-and-half and the cream of coconut.



Whisk this so that it all incorporates, then pour into your ice cream freezer.



While it freezes, pull together the mix ins that you'll add later. I prefer to toast the coconut, because it enhances the flavor. I do this by spreading in on the toaster oven tray



and then setting the toaster oven to toast for a few minutes. Watch this carefully - my first batch went from raw to BURNT in just a few seconds. Next, chop the macadamia nuts



and then add the chocolate chips to the bowl.



I like the look of this already!



When the ice cream is almost done, add in the coconut



and the nuts and chocolate chips.



Let that churn for a few minutes, then turn the machine off. At this point, it will be hard to not just eat the ice cream right off the mixer!



Transfer the ice cream to a freezer safe bowl, cover, and let freeze for several hours or overnight. Then enjoy!



One year ago: Melon Breeze
Two years ago: Marinated London Broil

Find more good stuff at Mouthwatering Monday, Mangia Monday, Make a Food "e" Friend Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday (#2), Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Tuesday at the Table, Delectable Tuesday, A Little Birdie Told Me, Made from Scratch Tuesday, What's Cooking Wednesday, Recipes I can't wait to try, Foodie Wednesday, These Chicks Cooked, Made it on Monday, What's on your plate?, What's on the Menu Wednesday, Cast Party Wednesday, Sweet Tooth Friday, Sweets for a Saturday, Sweets this Week, Ice Cream Social, So Sweet Sunday, This Week's Cravings.

Coconut Macadamia Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
1 8-oz. can cream of coconut
2 cups half-and-half
1/3 cup coconut, toasted
1/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Pour cream of coconut and half and half in a large measuring cup; whisk well to combine. Pour into ice cream freezer and freeze. Near the end of the cycle, add coconut, nuts and chocolate chips. Makes about 1 quart.

adapted from Eat at Home