Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love*
– a description of coffee by cunning and eccentric 18th/19th century French diplomat, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord (pilfered from urbin.net)
Over on the right, underneath my smug-looking face (I can’t smile straight), I mention the fact that sometimes an off-message decadent treat finds its way here. Well, today’s the day. But fear not, it isn’t as dangerous as it looks.
As always, even with my decadent offerings, there is a salve to the waistline. The salve today being Greek yogurt. And the fact that you don’t have to worry about making a custard base. But still, there’s that dulce de leche…
I won’t lie and say it is as luxurious or sweet as commercial dulce de leche ice creams, or this homemade one on Epicurious, but it is very nice, and quite refreshing too. I don’t normally find ice cream refreshing – that’s what sorbets are for – but Greek yogurt-based ice creams usually hit the mark, managing to satisfy a craving for something cool and sweet, but without having you also craving a huge glass of water.
I got the idea for this combination when we were in Spain at the beginning of July and saw café bombón on a few advertising boards. This coffee drink, with a distinct layer of coffee and sweet condensed milk (the precursor to dulce de leche), is popular throughout Spain. I immediately thought it would make a fab ice cream. And I think I was right. I really couldn’t drink something that sweet (it is a 1:1 ratio of coffee to milk), but eating a frozen version, where the cold always makes things taste less sweet, moves this Spanish staple into ice cream parlour territory. With bells on.
It needs no added frills – or even cooking skills – but feel free to drizzle on more dulce de leche, some crushed salted peanuts or even some dark chocolate chips. I’m also thinking how awesome it might be scooped onto a PG-version of the banana split, or in an affogato.
Next post will be something salady and summery, probably involving corn, and definitely involving a creamy yet healthy dressing. Hope that sounds good to you.
Until then, as my grandmother used to say,”be sweet and play ball.”
*the antidote to the leading quote (above) has got to be this acid comment from the 1674 ‘Women’s Petition Against Coffee‘: Why do our men trifle away their time, scald their Chops, and spend their Money, all for a little, base, thick, nasty bitter stinking nauseous Puddle water? Well worth a read in-full: these gals were Angry with a capital A, but also proto-feminists bemoaning their ‘Frenchified’ men in the most withering way.

Espresso Ice Cream with Dulce de Leche

Looks and sounds divine! Thanks!
Thank you, although we really aren’t warm enough to warrant it. Summer was last week. *sigh*
Gorgeous photos (as per usual). And this looks SO GOOD. It’s pushing me closer to getting an ice cream maker.
I’ve just got a wee cheapie that you have to keep the bowl in the freezer. It works just fine. Glad you like the ice cream 🙂
Yummy, yummy, yummy!
Coffee and ice cream with a greek yogurt protein kick, what could be better? Yum!
Thanks Lori!
I’ve been on an ice cream making frenzy lately and just made a tangy frozen yogurt with raspberries. It was the most vivid bright pink! I have yet to try a coffee ice cream. I will most definitely try your recipe for espresso ice cream, it is scrumptious! The caramel coffee color is wondrous!
Raspberry frozen yogurt and sorbet are my favourites. I hardly go for non fruity frozen treats but I made an exception for this espresso one
This sounds absolutely delicious! I’m so glad that you came up with such a refreshing summer treat that isn’t just delicious but that packs a wonderful nutritional punch too!
Yes, the protein in this is quite good, so it could almost be good for you!
What a great quote that is! Perfectly sums up coffee. 🙂 This looks insanely delicious. Coffee and caramel or dulce de leche are a divine pair, made even better with this recipe because it’s cooling and refreshing for summer. Great use for Greek yogurt too!
I love the quote too, but I really like the one from the stroppy, fed-up anti-coffee ladies!
That looks fantastic … and I like the fact that it’s not too sweet. Despite that, somehow looking at it reminds me that I need to get to the gym.
Ha ha! It isn’t too sweet at all but if anyone is frightened of the dulce de leche, I also did a version sweetened just with agave and it was good too. Just not naughty.
Love this!!
OMG this looks amazingly good and delicious and decadant and all those other words that go well with Ice Cream!!! Thanks for sharing the idea, darn you! LOL!
Thank you so much guys. And thanks for Elise the driver’s email. On file for next time. It might be nice to have an insider’s take on Lucca.
YUM! Coffee ice cream is my favourite, and adding dulce de leche just takes it over the top. Gorgeous photos. And I enjoy the “smugness” of your profile pic! Don’t ever change it!
Aw, thank you. It is a terrible picture though. Everyone else’s looks so professional and mine was taken on the hoof by my daughter in front of my coupon and message-strewn fridge. Sophisticated!
I always think my photos aren’t nearly as creative/gorgeous/modern/clean/artsy as other bloggers, especially since I usually bake at night when I have time but no natural light and I have to move all the crap off my kitchen table. It’s all a fun learning process though, right?
I still feel like that, with my photos only marginally improving since my first few posts. And I too have low light problems to contend with in the cooler months as I live in a high latitude, with the sun barely above the horizon for a few months of the year, so even ‘daytime’ can be tricky. I’ve got Photoshop Elements but don’t know how to use it. I feel your pain!
NOW I wish I had never come here, as you know I a TRYING to be GOOD and this is NAUGHTY! But, very very nice though Kellie and such a lovely colour too…..saved to make soon, delicious!
Aw sweetie. The 5:2 will be worth it. Anyway, if you fancy something like this now just ditch the dulce de leche and replace with just enough low-GI agave nectar to sweeten. A little scoop of this protein-packed treat goes a long way.
Coffee, dulce de leche and ice cream! How much pleasure a person can stand? It looks absolutely delicious!
I am glad you like it Katerina. I think it’s a pretty good trio too 😀
Fabulous idea for an ice cream! Just pinned it!
That’s fantastic Paula, thank you 😀 A girl can never have too much dulce de leche