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The Ben and Jerry’s Tonight Dough is a perfect storm of caramel and chocolate ice creams swirled with chocolate cookies, chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough, and peanut butter cookie dough…it’s an indulgent treat that feels like pure happiness in every scoop.
Table of Contents
How to make Ben and Jerry’s Tonight Dough
Ben and Jerry’s Tonight Dough is a premium ice cream flavor that combines two ice creams, two types of cookie dough, and a chocolate cookie swirl.
Ingredients
Step 1: Ice Cream Base
For the caramel and chocolate ice creams:
Caramel Ice Cream:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Ice Cream:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Step 2: Chocolate Cookie Swirls
Chocolate Cookie Base:
- 1/2 cup crushed chocolate cookies (Oreos or similar)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Step 3: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Ingredients for Cookie Dough:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (heat-treated to kill bacteria)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp milk (more if needed for consistency)
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Step 4: Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Dough:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (heat-treated)
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Ice Cream Bases
Caramel Ice Cream:
- Combine milk, heavy cream, and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Add caramel sauce and stir until fully blended. Remove from heat and let cool. Mix in vanilla extract.
Chocolate Ice Cream:
- Combine milk, heavy cream, sugar, and cocoa powder in a saucepan and whisk until smooth. Heat gently and stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool, then add vanilla extract.
- Pour each ice cream mixture into separate containers and chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours. Once chilled, churn them in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions (about 20-30 minutes each).
Step 2: Prepare Chocolate Cookie Swirls
Crush chocolate cookies and mix them with melted butter until they form a crumbly mixture. Set aside for layering later.
Step 3: Make the Cookie Doughs
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Beat butter, sugars, and vanilla together until creamy. Gradually add flour and milk until dough-like. Fold in mini chocolate chips. Roll into small chunks and chill.
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough: Cream peanut butter, butter, and sugar together. Gradually add flour and milk until it forms a smooth dough. Roll into small chunks and chill.
Step 4: Assemble the Ice Cream
- Layer the caramel ice cream and chocolate ice cream in your container, alternating between scoops.
- Between layers, add chocolate cookie swirls, chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough, and peanut butter cookie dough. Distribute them evenly so every scoop has a mix of all the components.
- Freeze the layered ice cream for 4-6 hours until firm.
Tips for Success
- Heat-Treat the Flour: Because raw flour can potentially contain harmful bacteria, heating it (either in the microwave or oven) ensures it’s safe to use in your Ben and Jerry’s Tonight Dough.
- Chill Everything: Allow all components (ice cream bases, cookie doughs) to chill adequately before combining. This ensures better texture and layering.
- Get Creative: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can mix the ice cream bases with a whisk every 30 minutes as they freeze to incorporate air, though the texture may not be as smooth.
- Storage: Store your ice cream in a freezer-safe container with a lid to prevent freezer burn.
Ingredients substitutes
When making your own version of Ben and Jerry’s Tonight Dough having ingredient flexibility can make the process more accessible, especially if you have dietary restrictions, allergies, or simply want to experiment with flavors.
1. Substitutes for the Ice Cream Bases
Caramel Ice Cream Base Substitutes
Whole Milk & Heavy Cream:
If you’d like a dairy-free or lower-fat alternative:
- Dairy-Free Options: Replace whole milk and heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a mix of almond milk and canned coconut cream. These will mimic the creaminess of the original base.
- Low-Fat Option: Use 2% milk or a combination of half-and-half and skim milk for less richness. (Note: This may impact the creamy texture.)
Brown Sugar & Caramel Sauce:
If you’re out of these ingredients:
- Substitute brown sugar with white sugar and a drizzle of molasses.
- Use store-bought caramel sauce or make a quick homemade one with butter, sugar, and cream. For a vegan caramel, use vegan butter, coconut cream, and sugar.
Chocolate Ice Cream Base Substitutes
- Cocoa Powder: Replace unsweetened cocoa powder with melted dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa content) for a richer taste. Use 2-3 ounces of melted chocolate for every 3/4 cup of cocoa powder.
- For a sweeter variation, substitute with sweetened cocoa mix (but reduce the additional sugar in the recipe).
- Milk and Cream Substitutes: Same as mentioned for the caramel base—coconut milk/cream works great for dairy-free alternatives!
- Granulated Sugar: You can use alternatives like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. Keep in mind these can slightly alter the flavor, adding warm and earthy undertones.
2. Substitutes for the Chocolate Cookie Swirls
The chocolate cookie swirl layer is essential for the crunch and extra chocolatey element. If you don’t have access to the specific cookies, here are alternatives:
Crushed Chocolate Cookies:
Substitute with:
- Store-bought Oreo cookies or another chocolate sandwich cookie (remove the filling if you want a less sweet swirl).
- Homemade Chocolate Cookie Crumbs: Simply bake or buy plain chocolate biscuits and crush them into fine crumbs.
- For a gluten-free alternative, look for certified gluten-free chocolate cookies at the store or try almond flour-based cookies.
3. Substitutes for the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Cookie dough is a signature component of The Ben and Jerry’s Tonight Dough. Here’s how to tweak the ingredients to suit different needs:
All-Purpose Flour:
- Replace with almond flour (for gluten-free) or oat flour. Both options add a nutty and wholesome flavor while maintaining a cookie-dough-like texture.
- Don’t forget to heat-treat any flour (microwave or bake for at least 5 minutes) to kill potential bacteria!
Butter:
- Use vegan butter for a dairy-free option. Coconut oil (solid at room temperature) also works, but will impart a slight coconut flavor.
- Consider Greek yogurt or applesauce if you’re looking to reduce fat content in the dough.
Brown & Granulated Sugar:
- Swap out sugars with coconut sugar or date sugar, both of which add a rich, caramel-like flavor.
- Liquid sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup work as well, but add less of the traditional cookie dough texture.
Mini Chocolate Chips:
- Use dark chocolate chunks or dairy-free chocolate chips for a vegan version.
- White chocolate, peanut butter chips, or carob chips are excellent alternatives, depending on your preference.
4. Substitutes for the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
The peanut butter cookie dough is one of the standout flavors in “The Tonight Dough.” If you’re trying to adjust this layer, here are some swaps:
Peanut Butter:
For people with peanut allergies or preferences:
- Substitute it with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter (nut-free option).
- For a flavor twist, consider chocolate hazelnut spread (like Nutella) or cookie butter for a more indulgent layer.
- Butter: Same as the general substitutes listed above—vegan butter, coconut oil, or applesauce will all work here.
Final Thoughts
Making your own version of Ben and Jerry’s Tonight Dough requires a little work, but the end result is absolutely worth the effort.
More Ice Cream Recipes:
- Homemade Dunkin’ Dubai Sundae Recipe
- Dairy Queen Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard Recipe
- Blue Bell Banana Pudding Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe
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