Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream

Directions

1. This recipe requires an ice cream machine. So make sure it's in working order. And if an insert is required, freeze it for 24 hours.
2. Prep the water bath so that all is in place when the ice cream custard is done: Place a fine strainer over a medium bowl. Rest bottom of the medium bowl in a large bowl. Add about an ice tray's worth of ice cubes to the large bowl. Set aside.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together half and half, brown sugar, yolks, and salt. Set aside. In a medium-sized pot, over high heat, whisk together heavy cream and white sugar. Turn off the heat just as the cream starts to come to the boil.
4. SLOWLY pour the hot cream into the half and half/egg mixture, whisking constantly. This tempers the eggs, allowing them to adjust to the change in temperature without curdling. Pour the mixture back into the original cream pot. Set aside your whisk and bring out a wooden spoon. Place back on medium heat. And start stirring. Don't walk away or you will have scrambled eggs. Watch and feel for the shift in viscosity. As you stir, the thin custard will slap against the sides of the pot like waves against the side of a boat. As it thickens, the gliding spoon will cause the custard to rise up and settle back down without much of a splash. This takes anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes. But don't time it. Just watch. To confirm that it's done, do the drag-your-finger-across-the-back-of-the-wooden-spoon test. It's ready when your finger leaves a lovely lingering trail. Pour mixture through the fine strainer into the medium bowl that's resting in the large bowl. Pour just enough water in with the ice cubes so that the ice water is at least half way up the side of the bowl filled with the ice cream custard. Leave bowl over the ice bath until it's cool. Stir every 10 minutes or so. Refrigerate custard for a few hours or overnight.
5. I find it's easier to stir in the cookie dough if you use a baking dish with a wide surface area. Chill selected dish in the freezer.
6. Churn in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions. Removed chilled dish and cookie dough from the freezer. Move quickly. Evenly spread half the ice cream into the bottom of the dish. Use your fingers to distribute half of the cookie dough all over the top of the ice cream. With a spoon, try to position the chunks so that each big bite include dough. Top with remaining ice cream. Mix in remaining cookie dough using the same technique as the first half. Freeze for a few hours before serving.