This date shake ice cream recipe is a sponsored by California Olive Ranch, a year long partner of Heartbeet Kitchen. And the only extra virgin olive oil I use. It’s that good.
Being raised in Minnesota, I didn’t eat a medjool date until I was 27 (Larabars don’t count). They aren’t grown here, and my family way of eating was more mainstream. And it wasn’t until age 33 that I had a date shake, the infamous cool treat birthed in Palm Springs, California during the 1920’s by a date farmer selling these milkshakes at a roadside stand.
I wasn’t in Palm Springs, but I was in California when I had my first experience. With one sip, I knew exactly why it was loved by so many. Thick, sweet, caramelly-without-caramel concoction that tasted so incredibly good on a hot day.
I wanted to savor that taste instead of slurping it down. And I wanted it to be convenient, a “make once, eat several times” type of deal. So I took all the goodness of the date shake and made it into ice cream, with the addition of rich, fruity, California Olive Ranch Arbequina extra virgin olive oil.
The olive oil has dual purpose in this recipe, used both for its flavor and the texture of the ice cream. As we all know, olive oil is a fat, and that aids in making an excellent ice cream because:
- During the churning phase, fats prevent ice crystals from expanding, therefore producing a soft, creamy texture that scoops like a dream
- It creates a firm body to stabilize, that keeps it from melting quickly
- Conveying a velvety mouthfeel
And did you know fats not only give off their own flavor, but also help bring deliver others? In this ice cream, that results in the fresh medjool dates (the ones I used were from Rancho Meladuco Date Farm!) standing out in all their glory. You’ll puree the dates into a paste, to then be steeped in the warm, custardy mixture. And add the Arbequina extra virgin olive oil after taking the pan off the heat, so that it stays pure and the fresh and fruity flavor isn’t cooked out.
It’s everything you love about a date shake, elevated. Luxurious with a lush caramel hue and balanced date flavor that makes it impossible to have just one scoop.
Eat it as is on a cone, or drizzle a touch more olive oil on top to make it a sundae. Not only does it add more complexity, but that shiny golden liquid sure is easy on the eyes. ☺️
If you make this Date Shake Ice Cream, be sure to tag me on instagram with hashtag #heartbeetkitchen or @heartbeetkitchen!
Date Shake Ice Cream
Everything you love about a date shake in a delicious ice cream!
Ingredients
- 15-18 fresh and soft medjool dates, pitted
- 2 1/4 cups half and half
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup California Olive Ranch Arbequina Olive Oil
Instructions
- Freeze your ice cream bowl the night before making.
- To a food processor, add dates and 1/2 cup warm water. Puree until smooth. Scoop out 1/2 cup of paste and set aside. (If you have extra, you can use to sweeten oatmeal.)
- To a medium saucepan, add half and half, the 1/2 cup of date puree, and salt. Set heat to medium, and whisk to bring out dates, and bring let cook until warm and steaming, but not simmering. Take off heat.
- In a glass bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Then slowly stream the warm milky mixture into the egg yolks while constantly whisking. Once you've streamed in about 1 cup, you can stop. Now the yolks are tempered, and you can add what's in the glass bowl into the saucepan while whisking.
- Place saucepan back onto burner over medium heat and cook for 8-10 minutes stirring. It should again be steaming, but simmering. Once the mixture is thicker and coats the back of the spoon, it is finished.
- Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla and olive oil. Then place the ice cream mixture into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.
- When you're ready, churn in your ice cream maker according to directions. Freeze and enjoy!
clareymare7
Dying to try this even if i don’t win,
My username is kellyacano. This ice cream looks amazing!
Warsopc
I haven’t tried olive oil with ice cream. I usually prefer sugar on my sugar for dessert.
You put July as the end date of the giveaway instead of August.
@rungrybeth
Living in the Midwest as well – just found out about date shakes and am so anxious to give this a try!
Looks fabulous.
@bycandice on Instagram! Been following you for a couple of years now. Love your content! Thank you for the chance to win!
aw, that’s so nice to hear Candice! thanks for stopping by. xo
Hi-Thanks so much for the chance to win. This ice cream sounds delish! I have wanted an ice cream maker for so long, just can never seem to fit it into the budget…fingers crossed!
Username-chefraven8
@madmac905 looks delicious!
Followed you & my username is dontflowsofast.
Can’t wait to make this ice cream- it looks amazing!
Instagram username: cookin_j
I’m following you on Instagram. I am @echilt5
theresammeacham
This ice cream looks amazing! Can’t wait to try!
YES date shakes!!!
yo_hannah
Dates are so yummy! I love the addition of olive oil to the recipe. We definitely use lots of olive oil in our house :)
Instagram: cvgee
I follow you on Instagram as 1froglegs
I love this giveaway—and the ice cream looks great too!
@graystudy
I’ve never tried a date ice cream before but this looks soo yummy I definitely need to try it this month! @freyasky
Dates, especially medjool, are one of my favorite things! I actually have an ice cream maker, but wanted to say thanks for the recipe!
@elena3527
heidi.m_8281
elizmargarit
This looks delicious! Hope you are doing well!
Wow! I have never heard of this but I love dates and ice cream (who doesn’t?) I bet my kids woyld love to see how ice cream is made at home. I’m always learning something new on your site and the photos are amazing. Thanks!
Following: bethviglianco
Yum! @fleetstreetgabby.
Looks so good, Amanda! Is it weird that I make date caramel all the time and put it in my oats but have never had a date shake!? Pinning this recipe for next week when it’s hot again.
@kayleighkosmas
I follow and my handle is thehippiehut32. Thanks for the chance, I’ve always wanted an ice cream maker!
My instagram name is amy_l_donahue :-) Looks yummy!
Love sweet treats that offer health benefits! No guilt pleasures are so good.
gorgeous and unique ice cream!
@asoutherngrace
Frogface6
I was just talking about date shakes with my dad at our local public market yesterday morning. He was intrigued, and I remember my husband enjoyed a few when he was deployed overseas. Definitely a must-make at home this summer!
IG @hagoesch
yum! i follow and i’m @jlrontal
@sugarmuffin77
Oh yum! I’m outsidereader on Instagram.
Following! Sharon0999.
I’ve never tried anything like this but I really need to try it!
Oh this is sucha nice one. I have an older model that makes 2 bathes at once. Unfortunately, it’s such a space-hog that it rarely gets used anymore and is stored in the other room. I like this smaller version so much better. If it’s in my pantry or on my counter I’d use it more often – it would be a constant reminder that I need ed to make more ice cream!
Following (@brittles526). What a great giveaway and such an interesting ice cream recipe! I would probably never think of making Date ice cream and I NEVER would think of putting olive oil in it.
Oh wowwie! I actually don’t think I have ever had a date shake before. But this date shake ice cream though–that is a GENIUS recipe. I’ll definitely try this with full-fat coconut milk and some cashews, even though I am skeptical about the olive oil. I’m sure it adds a nice savory flavor, so I am willing to try that!