- 1½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup white sugar or sugar syrup
- One 4-inch vanilla bean, split and scraped
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 to 2 tablespoons white sugar
- To make the ice cream: If using sugar:
- Place ½ cup of the milk, the sugar and vanilla bean seeds and pod in a medium size pan and cook over low heat. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Add the remaining 1 cup milk, the cream, vanilla extract and salt and whisk to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate until the mixture reaches 40°F, about 1 hour.
- Remove the vanilla bean. Transfer to an ice cream maker and proceed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- If using sugar syrup:
- Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until the mixture reaches 40°F, about 20 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean.
- Transfer to an ice cream maker and proceed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- To make the bittersweet cocoa sauce:
- Place the cocoa, cream and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to low boil over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until it just begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. Serve hot, cold or at room temperature.