
This rich and decadent Coffee Walnut Cardamom Ice Cream is a delicious and refreshing dessert.

This post was originally published in July 2015. I have taken and uploaded new photos while the blog post and recipe remain unchanged.
Summer is such a beautiful time for all these delicious, succulent, and so bright desserts! Galettes, crumbles, tarts, and other good things are happening right now in many kitchens. Perhaps, you have stopped by this post while baking another Pavlova, haven’t you? Ahah, I knew that! But there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
However, this summer I’ve decided to be concentrating basically on cold desserts. Maybe with a few exceptions, though, but so far I’ve baked only once. Not only ice cream, sorbet, and dessert soups are refreshing and the best on any hot days, but also they’re a good option to juggle if you’re searching for healthier choices.
So as you might have seen, I’ve already posted a number of chilled desserts, and there is still a lot to go! But let’s be honest it’s easier to create a healthy sorbet or fruit soup rather than ice cream. But I will keep trying:)
But anyway I’ve decided I would be choosing for soups and sorbets most of this summer and making ice cream just a very few times. Generally, I’m sticking to my rule. Or not. I mean I’ve already made 3 kinds of ice cream, and this is just the mid of sum. Perhaps, I’ve got a peculiar understanding of the word ‘few’. Something like 10-12:)
Just kidding, though. But the bottom line is since I’ve set up this limitation, I should be choosing ice cream combos and flavors carefully.
They definitely have to be those I’ve never tried before. Preferably, they should be sophisticated. Not weird but elegant.
Since I’ve been in love with cardamom recently, I decided incorporating it in ice cream would make it sophisticated. Plus a good amount of the strong coffee, vanilla extract, and golden sugar to accentuate the gorgeous cardamom flavor. And sure some a lot of nuts and chocolate. Because ice cream with no chocolate and nuts just doesn’t make much sense in our family.
I’ve opted for roasting and caramelizing the walnuts in some butter and maple syrup to add more crunchiness and flavor, but this is totally up to you! You can choose milk or semi-sweet chocolate (dark chocolate works better with coffee and cardamom, in my book), white chocolate or even don’t include it at all. You won’t be doing that, I believe. Because not adding any chocolate should be considered a serious food crime.
There’s one thing, folks. Thanks to adding a lot of liquid, this ice cream will remain quite soft. It will be hard after a few hours in the fridge, but once served, it will be melting fast. That won’t stop you from making it, right folks?
Because this Coffee Walnut Cardamom Ice Cream is a very elegant dessert, with a few harmonious flavors going on in the background.
Just please don’t count all the calories and fats. We’ll do it next time when I post another salad or fruit soup, all right?
What about you, guys? Do you like cardamom? Have you ever added it in ice cream and other desserts? What’s your favorite ingredient to go with cardamom?


Coffee Walnut Cardamom Ice Cream
Notes
havocinthekitchen.com
Ingredients
- 5 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2,5 cups heavy cream
- 2/3 cup very strong coffee, cooled
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2-3 tablespoons golden sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom seeds (or to taste)
- 50-70 gr dark chocolate, grated
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon golden sugar
Instructions
- In a skillet melt the butter, add the walnuts, and toast them for a minute. Pour in the maple syrup and sprinkle with the sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.Remove from heat and place the nuts on a piece of oiled (sprayed) parchment. Let them cool for 20 minutes and then chop.
- In a saucepan heat the milk just until it starts to simmer.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the yolks, sugar, maple syrup, and cardamom extract.
- Gradually, constantly stirring, pour the hot the milk into the yolk mixture.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and continue cooking over low heat and not allowing to boil, constantly mixing, for about 7-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Add the heavy cream and vanilla and mix well. Cool completely.
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze as recommended in its manual.
- 5 minutes before the ice cream is ready, add the chocolate and chopped walnuts.
- The ice cream will remain very soft so you could place it in the fridge, for a couple of hours.
- Enjoy!
- .

Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
This is a great recipe! Thank you :) However, I couldn’t find when to add the coffee to the mix in the instructions, I added it with the cream. Tastes amazing, I am certain this will be a hit with friends and family.
Hi Ben! A humble thanks from me to you for this great recipe. Because by using this recipe I give a surprise birthday gift to my friend’s party and got lots of accolade from my friends. here I’m using the espresso shot from my personal home espresso machine to making this Awesome “Coffee Walnut Cardamom Ice Cream”
That ice cream was delicious. Being a coffee addict I love coffee inspired desserts so thanks for sharing it. Going to check out your coffee nutella caramel cheesecake next. Thanks Ben!
Tyler recently posted…The Definitive Guide to Good Coffee Health
I love you and all your sophisticated food shenanigans, Ben! This ice cream certainly is you! So of course I LOVE it! Talk about flavorful! Coffee Walnut AND Cardamom IN Ice Cream? Dang! Yummy! I love that you roasted the walnuts- heck yea to that! Hate to tell you, though, that I will be skipping the chocolate. Not because I want to commit any food crime, but because I prefer to be able to breath. And not die. You will have to forgive me and my allergy. ;) hope you have a great weekend! Cheers!!!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Slow Cooker Strawberry, Jalapeno & Rum Chicken Lettuce Wraps {with Quinoa, Goat Cheese, Almonds & Strawberry Salsa}
Shenanigans? Haha, you’re funny! But thank you very much. Thanks for your truth about this ice cream:) As for chocolate, I remember your issue. So you can always take white chocolate instead. Why not?
Beautiful photos (and I know photographing ice cream can be SO frustrating)! This recipe sounds great!
Sam @ SugarSpunRun recently posted…Fresh Blender Salsa
You’re right! That could be as frustrating photographing as chocolate on the balcony, haha). Thanks, Sam!
Oh wow! This droolicious ice-cream has everything I need in a summer dessert! I mean, coffee+cardamom+walnuts!! You are seriously killing me, Ben! Incredible share! :)
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen recently posted…Quick And Easy Pineapple Kiwi Honey Yogurt Parfait
Don’t forget chocolate!!! Thanks, Anu!:)
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Nectarine Salad with Wine Dressing
Wow, that’s pretty much all I need going on in that ice cream. I kind of like the direction you have taken this summer with your desserts!
Emanuele @ guyslovecooking recently posted…Potato, aubergine, mushroom mess
Thanks guys!
Aw man, what a great flavor combo you’ve got going on here Ben. And the pictures are fantastic.
Great job!
Mike@TheIronYou recently posted…Cranberry Pistachio Light Chicken Salad
Thanks a lot, Mike!
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Nectarine Salad with Wine Dressing
Oh man! I am dying to get my hands on a cone of this, the size of the empire state building ;) That combination of flavors is just outrageously spot on! :) Thanks for sharing, Ben! :D
Kennedy Cole| KCole’s Creative Corner recently posted…SautĂ©ed Zucchini Salad with a Parmesan Herb Aioli Dressing and Roasted Cherries
Keep your hands away from the ice cream, Kennedy!:) Ok, keep them. It was gone a month ago anyways:)
So rich and superb! I like your idea of “a few”, 10 – 12 sounds about right to me. Especially with recipes as delicious as this!! Well done, Ben!!
10-12 is the only right concept of “a few”, I believe:) Thanks, Annie!
Beautiful flavors going on here Ben. Simply double scoop one for me and I’ll be right over!
KevinIsCooking recently posted…Sourdough Wheat Everything Bagels
Thanks, Kevin!
“Ice cream with no chocolate and nuts just doesn’t make much sense” – I couldn’t agree more – but ice cream with coffee+chocolate+nuts=COMPLETE&TOTALBLISS!!! This is fantastic! I think I’d eat this ice cream for every meal – of course, I’d have to make it lactose free!
shashi at runninsrilankan recently posted…Tropical Fruit Infused, Vintage Sparkling Water
Thanks, Shashi! Glad you support my opinion on ice cream without chocolate or nuts:)
Holy cow…all of the flavors going on in this ice cream are right up my alley! I love coffee in pretty much anything, but then the walnuts and cardamom take this to a whole new level. Save me a cone!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Bruschetta Pizza
Don’t forget chocolate, David!!! Thanks a lot.
Oh wow, this is such a gorgeous recipe! I have never tried the combination of coffee, walnut and cardamom but it most be amazing! I really really wanna have this ice cream right now!!!
Evi @ greenevi recently posted…Walnut and Herb Vegan Cheese
Oh, thank you, Evi, for your truthful opinion:)
You really outdid yourself with this ice cream! The depth of flavors here are incredible!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Stout Chocolate Pudding Cake
Thanks, Jen! I’ll try to outdo myself even more!