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Hokey Pokey Ice Cream

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream

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Hokey Pokey Ice Cream is a New Zealand favorite, blending smooth vanilla custard with crunchy honeycomb toffee. This homemade version captures the magic of this iconic dessert, perfect for impressing guests or indulging yourself.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Ice Cream Base:

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ cups whole milk
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1½ cups heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Honeycomb Toffee:

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup golden syrup (or light corn syrup/honey as substitutes)
  • 2 tsp baking soda

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Custard Base

  1. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until smooth and pale.
  2. Heat milk and salt in a saucepan over medium heat until it simmers (do not boil). Gradually whisk ½ cup of the hot milk into the egg mixture to temper it.
  3. Pour the tempered mixture back into the saucepan and cook on low, stirring constantly, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5–7 minutes). Avoid overheating to prevent curdling.
  4. Strain into a bowl, stir in heavy cream and vanilla, and cover with plastic wrap touching the surface. Chill for at least 3 hours.

Step 2: Prepare the Honeycomb Toffee

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt sugar and golden syrup, stirring occasionally until golden amber (300°F if using a thermometer).
  2. Remove from heat and quickly stir in baking soda until foamy. Pour onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let harden for about 20 minutes. Break into small pieces.

Step 3: Churn and Freeze Ice Cream

  1. Pour chilled custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer instructions (about 20–25 minutes).
  2. In the last two minutes of churning, fold in honeycomb pieces gently to maintain their crunch.
  3. Transfer to a freezer-safe container, press plastic wrap onto the surface, and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.

Notes

Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve in waffle cones or bowls topped with extra honeycomb pieces or drizzled caramel sauce for added flair.

Tips & Tricks:

  • Temper eggs carefully to avoid scrambled bits; strain custard for silky smoothness.
  • Use golden syrup for authentic flavor, but light corn syrup or honey works as substitutes.

Storage & Reheating:

  • Store ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two weeks. Keep leftover honeycomb separate to maintain its crunchiness. Let ice cream sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before scooping.