Ice Cream - Neapolitan

Description

Indulge in the nostalgic flavors of Neapolitan ice cream in a new, freeze-dried form with our guide. Discover how to freeze-dry this classic dessert to enhance its creamy strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla flavors while transforming it into a light, crunchy treat. Perfect for snacking or adding a twist to traditional desserts, this guide will show you a novel way to enjoy ice cream.

Ingredients

Mayfield Classic Neapolitan Ice Cream - Although most any ice cream will work.

Freeze Dryer Settings

Follow your freeze dryer's instructions to start the default drying process. Pro-tip: set your extra dry time to 12+ hours. You wouldn't want it to shut down at 4 AM before you wake up and need more time if it wasn't quite finished.

With your ice cream prepared and arranged, set your freeze dryer to run for approximately 12 hours. This timing is ideal to ensure the ice cream is thoroughly dried. However, as I found, allowing them an additional 8 hours of drying time after the cycle ends isn’t necessary but doesn’t harm the process if it happens (like overnight drying).

No Mats

Run time: 12 - 20 hours

Two mason jars filled with freeze dried Neapolitan ice cream bars.

Prep

Pre-freeze your trays to help keep the ice cream frozen during prep.

You can buy plastic cartons and scoop like normal traditional ice cream. We have found it easier to get the quart sized ice cream in paper containers and remove the paper container. Then using a kitchen knife, cut into large slices then cut down further into 1 inch bars for easy consumption.

Post Processing

After the freeze-drying process, the ice cream should come off the tray effortlessly without the need for mats or parchment paper. For easy and efficient packing, consider using a french fry bagger, a handy tool for transferring the ice cream into storage containers.

Suggested Storage

Store in in airtight containers; I used one a half-gallon mason jar. Mylar bags are optional since these treats are typically consumed quickly due to their irresistible taste. Stored properly, they can last for years, maintaining their crisp texture and flavor.