Durian Ice Cream Recipe

Pile of Durian fruit in Bangkok Market

The Durian is a tropical Asian fruit with cute/ugle spiny skin.  The flesh is pale yellow and emits an odor like cleaning products.  Most people find the odor pretty off-putting and rank.  However, on the tongue, the taste is transformed to a strong and addictive flavor, like a ripe St. Andre cheese.  Durians are available freesh in Asian markets; the flesh can be frozen.  The flesh is also available freeze-dried and frozen.  I used reconstituted freeze-dried, as fresh is unavailable in my area.  You will need 1/2 cup or more pureed Durian for this recipe.

I started with an easy, but rich French Vanilla recipe.  Since I didn't add much fruit, the texture wasn't changed by the addition of the Durian.

I've just been informed that the Durian fruit is the only fruit tigers will eat.  Durian and tiger are both muy forte (strong).





                                        Durian Ice Cream Recipe


3 Eggs, 1 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp. flour, 2 cups cream, 2 cups milk, 1/2 (or more, according to taste) Durian puree. 1 tsp. Vanilla extract (optional)


Beat eggs, milk. and flour together in a large saucepan. Add sugar and cook over low heat - stirring constantly until thickened - about 10 minutes. Mixture should coat the spoon. Cool, then add cream and vanilla. Refrigerate 5 hours or overnight.

Freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.


This recipe makes more than some ice cream makers hold, so cut it in half for a pint batch.