Camel Milk Ice Cream

Background

This creamy frozen dessert showcases the gentle, clean flavor of camel milk, a staple in arid regions for centuries and prized for its distinctive mineral sweetness and refreshing lightness. Crafting ice cream with camel milk yields a refreshing profile and a silky, scoopable texture when carefully cooked and chilled, letting the base’s subtle character shine.

Ingredients

• 4 cups (about 1 liter) camel milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 6 large egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Preparation

1. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a clean bowl and place this bowl in an ice bath. Reserve space in the refrigerator and freezer for quick chilling later.
2. Warm the base: In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of camel milk with half of the sugar and the salt. Heat over medium, stirring, until the mixture is steaming and tiny bubbles appear at the edges, about 5–8 minutes; do not boil.
3. Whisk the custard: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining sugar until slightly thickened and lighter in color.
4. Temper: Slowly ladle some of the hot mixture into the bowl while whisking constantly, then return everything to the saucepan. Stir gently over medium-low heat until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3–5 minutes; avoid simmering.
5. Finish the base: Remove from heat. Stir in the remaining 2 cups of cold camel milk, then add the vanilla extract and a tiny pinch more salt to balance the sweetness.
6. Strain and chill: Pour the custard through the strainer into the cold bowl to catch any curds. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly cold, at least 4 hours.
7. Churn: Pour the chilled base into an ice cream maker and churn to a soft-serve consistency, about 20–25 minutes, following your machine’s guidelines.
8. Firm up: Transfer to a lidded container and freeze until scoopable, about 3–4 hours.

How to Enjoy

Scoop and serve in chilled bowls to highlight the naturally clean flavor of camel milk. The aroma of vanilla extract and a balanced touch of salt let the base taste round and satisfying; enjoy plain or beside fresh, seasonal fruit for contrast.