Pennsylvania

Shoofly Pie Ice Cream

From the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country comes this Keystone State classic! Rich molasses custard is swirled with buttery crumb topping pieces, capturing every gooey, sweet bite of the beloved shoofly pie in frozen form. It's wunderbaar!

40 min churn time 8 servings Intermediate PA Dutch Heritage
Jump to Ingredients

Equipment Needed

🍦
Ice Cream Maker
🥣
Large Mixing Bowl
🍳
Heavy Saucepan
🥄
Whisk
🧊
Freezer Container
🫕
Baking Sheet

Ingredients

For the Base:

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
5 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

For Crumb Topping:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cold
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1
Make crumb topping: Mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Spread on baking sheet and bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes until golden. Cool and break into pieces.
2
In a heavy saucepan, combine cream, milk, half the brown sugar, and molasses. Heat until steaming, whisking to blend molasses.
3
Whisk egg yolks with remaining brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until pale.
4
Slowly temper egg mixture with the hot cream mixture, whisking constantly.
5
Return to saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until custard reaches 170-175 degrees F.
6
Strain custard, stir in vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
7
Churn in ice cream maker, about 25-30 minutes until thick.
8
Transfer to container in layers, adding crumb topping pieces between each layer.
9
Freeze 4 hours. Let sit 5-10 minutes before serving with extra crumbs on top.

Tips for Perfect Shoofly Pie Ice Cream

PA Dutch Origins

Shoofly pie dates to 18th century Pennsylvania Dutch communities - its name comes from shooing flies away from the sweet molasses.

Molasses Matters

Use regular (light) molasses, not blackstrap - it's too bitter. The sweetness should be balanced.

Wet vs Dry Bottom

Traditional shoofly comes in wet and dry bottom styles - this ice cream captures both with gooey base and crispy crumbs!

Crumb Texture

Bake the crumbs until deeply golden for maximum flavor and crunch that lasts in the freezer.

Lancaster County

The best shoofly pies come from Lancaster County - this ice cream honors that tradition.

Serving Idea

Drizzle with warm molasses and serve with a slice of actual shoofly pie!