Growing up in the 1980’s in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, Arizona), on special occasions or particularly hot days (over 110 degrees), my family would drive across town to Swensen’s Ice Cream to enjoy one particular flavor: Swiss Orange Chip. It featured a dark chocolate ice cream base infused with the essence of orange and littered with dark chocolate chips. It was delicious, decadent, and totally awesome — a perfect tribute to the 80’s. Here’s my version of this cool treat.
- 3 cups whole milk
- 5 ounces dark chocolate (60-70%), chopped
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 6 egg yolks
- 8 ounces sugar
- 1 cup cream
- ¼ teaspoon orange oil
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Place milk, dark chocolate bits, and cocoa in a medium heavy pot and heat to just below a simmer, stirring occasionally. In a medium bowl, beat together yolks and sugar until well combined. Pour one cup of the hot milk mixture over egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour egg mixture into saucepan. Heat mixture very slowly, stirring constantly with wooden spoon in figure eight pattern. Cook gently over very low heat for about 10 minutes, until custard has be-come quite thick. Add cold cream to stop the cooking and stir in orange oil. Pour through fine strainer into clean bowl and refrigerate until completely cold. Freeze mixture in ice cream freezer then scrape into container. Stir in mini chocolate chips while ice cream is semi-soft. Cover and freeze completely. Makes one quart.
Nate! I was just telling my kids about my favorite ice cream flavor from when I was a kid in the 80s, Swiss Orange Chip from Swensen’s, and how nothing — NOTHING– compares! We decided to google to see if it existed anywhere, and how thrilled am I to find your recipe. I am running out right now to by an ice cream maker and the ingredients. Please, please tell me this is a worthy replication! Once, as a teenager, I went to Swensen’s (towards the end of their existence) and ordered SOC.. . The guy said they didn’t have any. “Why?” I asked, “because people order it so much you ran out?” His reply: “Uh . . . no. Because no one ever orders it.” How excited am I now to find your recipe AND learn that I am not alone in loving this flavor! I am not alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oh I can’t wait. This is also my all time favorite. Too bad Swensen’s closed. I assume I can just follow the instructions of the ice cream maker machine since I don’t have an ice cream freezer. If anyone knows please let me know.
HAVE YOU tried making low carb version? Also – the 3 cups whole milk – could you use all heavy whipping cream? Thanks.
I am THRILLED to death to see this recipe. I’m actually going to San Fran next weekend and will be going to Swensons. I plan to stock up on this flavor! As far as I know there are only a few swensons left in the country. It was a sad day to see them close the 2 that were close to my childhood home. Anyway, I’ve been on an ice cream making kick for the past month and now I’ve got another recipe to try and I cannot wait!
Is “orange oil” the essential oil, or orange extract?
There is an ice cream shop in Costa Mesa, California, that sells Chocolate Orange Chip. The first time we sampled it my husband and I looked at each other with Joy, as this was the same flavor we remembered from our younger days at Swensens. We mentioned it to the server, and he said they used to be Swensens. Same company! We’ll drive 30 minutes after dinner to get our SOC fix now. This recipe may save us lots of money and gas these days! Looking forward to trying it! Thank you, thank you!!
Is the Orange oil an essential oil, or orange extract? I’m so excited to try this recipe!! We drive 1/2 hour to Costa Mesa, California for this flavor of ice cream! We found it at a little shop called Han’s where they told us they were previously Swensens.
It is an essential oil. You could double the amount if you are using an alcohol-based extract.