Breakfast for dessert, or dessert for breakfast. That is the question. As someone who has a slight obsession for both, that’s a dilemma I’m familiar with. Growing up, I did the breakfast for dinner thing for a long time. Waffles and pancakes only ever appeared on our dinner menu because in the food culture that I grew up in, we routinely ate rice for breakfast. Or to be more accurate, waffles and pancakes were considered “special occasion food” when I was growing up.
While breakfast for dinner is fine and all, breakfast for dessert (or dessert for breakfast) is what gets me excited. Tangy, sweet and deliciously rich and creamy, this Buttermilk Pancake Ice Cream with Blackberry chips is the ultimate breakfast inspired dessert! If you have an ice cream churner, this will be just as easy as any other ice cream to make.
So, dilemma you say? Pffft. What dilemma!
I love making ice creams and sorbets. Some of my favourites that I’ve made include Vanilla, Chocolate, Caramel, Mango, Tomato (yes tomato!), Peanut butter, Peach, Cookies and cream, Strawberry, Coffee and even Vanilla-Basil ice cream. I love experimenting with flavours and coming up with new ones.
Smitten Kitchen introduced me to Buttermilk ice cream and I really liked the sound of it. And I couldn’t agree more with her enthusiastic description of it, because that’s exactly how I felt the first time I made it. However, of all the different flavoured ice creams I’ve made over the years, my buttermilk pancake ice cream might be the best of all! With buttermilk, maple syrup, a rich and delicious custard and crunchy berries, this is an absolute winner! This truly is a mind-blowing flavour combination!
In my opinion, maple syrup is a requirement with pancakes. Feel free to disagree but I think it’s the perfect pairing of flavours. Not because it’s conventional, but because it works (maybe that’s why it’s conventional? whatever). So as far as I’m concerned maple syrup is a requirement for this ice cream as well. A non-negotiable requirement. It makes the ice cream taste luxurious!
Here’s another dilemma though. Berries or maple syrup? On more than a few occasions, I’ve been to a breakfast joint and couldn’t decide between berries and maple syrup and ended up having both. Yep, I’m that girl who firmly believes in the notion of “Porque no los dos?” No better way to deal with a dilemma! 🙂
What I’m even more excited about though is how I mixed in the berries with the ice cream. They were like crunchy little bits of berry in the ice cream and will be a fantastic surprise of sorts when you’re eating the ice cream. The berry juices will still create a ripple effect, but those little bits of berries you see? They really are like little blackberry chips!
To do this you need fresh berries. Either raspberries or blackberries, and freeze them overnight. (You can get frozen berries too, but you don’t want smashed/damaged frozen berries). So when they are frozen solid, you can crush them so that they break into individual drupelets. (yes! I recently found out what those individual “subdivisions” of these berries are called!). I did this by whizzing them just for a couple of seconds in the food processor, but you can do this by hand too. When these drupelets are mixed in with the churned ice cream, and frozen again, you end up with fruity, crunchy bits of berries with a nice ripple effect too!
Mind. Blown. AGAIN!

A note on using berries other than blackberries – If you use strawberry or blueberry, you can make a compote, or crush them and fold them in with the ice cream. Hard to beat a sweet fruity ripple running through the ice cream. May I make a few more suggestions?
How about chocolate shavings or a chocolate ganache ripple?
Or maybe a fruit compote ripple?
Banana & bacon? (would be my sister’s favourite combination without a doubt!)
And dare I say it… MORE maple syrup?
Or even nothing at all!
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Ingredients:
- 13.5 fl oz / 400 ml cream
- 9 large egg yolks
- ¾ cup maple syrup
- 21 fl oz / 625 ml buttermilk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 6 oz fresh blackberries frozen overnight (or frozen blackberries that are not smashed/damaged)
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Combine the cream and maple syrup in a saucepan and heat it on medium heat until the mixture is steaming and just starts to simmer.
- In the meantime, whisk the egg yolks in a bowl until it is pale yellow in colour and foamy.
- Pour roughly ½ to 1 cup of the cream and maple syrup mix in a very thin stream, into the egg yolks, while whisking the egg yolks to warm up the egg yolk mix. Remember to keep whisking, as this will prevent the eggs from curdling.
- Transfer the egg yolks back into the saucepan, stirring/whisking constantly. On low-medium heat, allow the custard to thicken. Stir frequently to prevent the eggs from sticking to the bottom of the pan and curdling. Heat the mix until the custard coats the back of a spoon.
- Strain the custard to remove any lumps and stir in the vanilla and buttermilk.
- Let the custard cool to room temperature, and store in the fridge to chill overnight.
- Churn the ice cream, following the ice cream maker’s directions.
- During the last 10 minutes of the churning process, take the blackberries out of the freezer and crush the berries to separate the “drupelets” (It’s okay if some of the drupelets are crushed) and stir it with the 3 tbsp of maple syrup and 2 tbsp of lemon Juice. Let it stand for a couple of minutes and add this to the ice cream during the last 5 minutes of churning.
- Once the berries have swirled through, transfer the ice cream into an ice cream container and let it set in the freezer for a few hours.
- Serve as is, or with maple syrup, chocolate sauce, Brown Butter Chocolate Fudge Sauce or anything else you like.
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
No matter how many times you have this, that first lick/taste/spoonful will always be amazing! The ice cream is insanely creamy with a lovely tang from the buttermilk. It’s perfectly sweet with that maple flavour that’s almost floral and vanillaish. It’s fruity, refreshing, creamy and sweet. This is how dessert for breakfast (or breakfast for dessert) was meant to be!
We enjoyed this with a generous amount of my Brown Butter Butterscotch Chocolate Fudge sauce. That fudge sauce too was inspired by pancake syrups, so how could I possibly not pour it all over my pancake ice cream?
And that’s not all! We did not stop at the fudge sauce.
We even had Ice Cream Sandwiches! With a big scoop of this ice cream sandwiched between my Double chocolate Bacon and Black Pepper cookies. Yes, I know… it’s evil. So good, it’s evil!
So…
Buttermilk check
Maple syrup check
Bacon check
Chocolate check
That’s everything you need in a perfect breakfast! You know, to start your day off right! Haha! So that folks, is what I call breakfast for dessert! 🙂
This is why my last couple of posts (Cookies and Fudge Sauce) have led to this. I’m a breakfast person. I really wanted to take all these breakfast flavours that I love and integrate them into a dessert. After all, what’s not to love about breakfast for dessert? (or breakfast for any other meal of the day for that matter).
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Amy says
How much ice cream does this make? It sounds amazing, but we are trying it with some allergy friendly substitutions, so I might want to make less in case they don’t work 🙂
Dini says
Hi Amy
I churned this ice cream in a standard 2 qt ice cream maker. So this ice cream will make about 2 qt ice cream (or a little less)
Hope that helps!
Lois says
Hi Dini, what kind of cream do I use for this recipe? Whipping cream, evaporated milk, condenses milk which?
Dini says
Hi Lois!
I used heavy whipping cream (not whipped cream). It also goes by double cream in other countries 🙂 I hope that helps! 🙂
Farida says
I’m so amazed by your creative aspects in your recipes, and this one is no exception! I always look what’s the next recipes, and many are on my list to make! Will let you know!
Dini says
Thank you Farida! 🙂 I hope you do give this a go! It’s a great ice cream and I can’t wait to make it this summer too!
Amy says
Recipe calls for another 6.5 floz of maple syrup (middle of ingredient list), but no where in the instructions does it say where/when to add it. I would assume with the buttermilk & vanilla, but not sure. Don’t want to make a mistake, then have it TOO sweet. Can I get an assist please?
Dini says
Amy, Thank you SO MUCH for pointing that out!
There has been a typing error and duplicated the ingredient with different measurement units! Ignore the 6.5 fl oz Maple syrup completely. It would be FAR too sweet with this addition 🙂
I will go fix the recipe now, and thank you for letting me know!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
Oh wow! This looks amazing! I;ve just watched those GIFS over and over again… love them!!!
Dini says
Thank you Lucy! I may have a slight obsession with making gifs… 😀
Natalia @ Enjoy Tribute says
oh my goodness! your photos are why the term foodporn exists!
Polianthus says
looks amazing – and I love the images – very impressed!
Chhapan Bhog says
Can’t explain in words the extent to which i was drooling looking at the pictures.. Superb…:) Happy FF 🙂
Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook says
Why do you like torturing people, Dini?? Why?? Hahaha.
The photo/gif with the cookies, oh my gosh! I could die with that if I see it more than two times. But two times is enough.
Your recipes are always to die for.
skd says
You are a genius Dini! Amazing looking ice cream.
Dini says
Thank you skd! 😀
Prachi Garg says
OMG ! how did u come up with such a fantastic idea ! This is not only beautiful but sounds like a really good combination
Dini says
Thank you Prachi! 🙂
mira says
Looks delicious! Love the flavor!
Amanda Mendell says
I can’t wait to try this ! I have berry bushes in my back yard!
Dini says
I wish I had some berry bushes!! Instead I’m storing up on all the berries on sale these days! 😀 Please let me know what you think if you do try it!
Ginger says
This is So up my street, Dini! I love the flavours, the textures, the looks – must try this at home! Soon!
Dini says
Thank you Ginger! 🙂
Hilda says
I love everything about this recipe – most of all that I have never had anything quite like it before, Buttermilk in ice cream is really tempting. And of course anything with fruit and maple syrup is bound to please me.
Dini says
Thank you Hilda! Buttermilk Ice cream is definitely fantastic, even without Maple syrup, but it is better with it 😀
I hope you try it!
Hannah Hossack-Lodge says
Oh wow! This sounds amazing…I’ve never tried buttermilk ice cream but I think I might have to now!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
I am in awe of your delicious desserts, creativity and gorgeous photos!! I actually pinned this earlier today. It looks amazing!!
Dini says
Thank you so much Michelle! 😀 That definitely makes me happy!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
I totally agree – porque no los dos? It’s the perfect solution to these kinds of dilemmas 🙂
This ice cream looks like it needs to be packaged up and sold as ‘a thing’. Watch out Ben and Jerry’s!
Dini says
Aaah! We are made of the same stuff Helen!! 😀
Ben and Jerry’s better not steal this (or at least give me royalties!! hahaha!) I hope you try it, and I haven’t over hyped it for you! (yikes!)
Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says
Dessert for breakfast? I’m up for that any time. Ever. I love blackberries so much. I’ll be trying this. I’m curious, did you eat anything with your rice for breakfast?
Dini says
Thank you Miranda! 🙂 I love blackberries too!
Yes, when I was younger (and living in Sri Lanka) breakfast was either rice or steamed rice noodles. We had it with Coconut and Potato gravy and Chilli Sambal (maybe Fish too!). My grandmother was big on making big meals!! 😀
Amanda says
Oh man… there have been very few ice cream recipes that have made me want to actually get an ice cream maker… but this one… I NEED to make this. It’s not a want, it’s a need! Such delicious flavor combinations 😀
Dini says
hahaha!!! 😀 One of the conditions of buying the ice cream maker was that I had to make ice cream more often than buying it… So far I’ve kept my promise and it’s actually really fun!! 😀
I really hope you try this recipe though… it really is good! 🙂
Winnie says
WOWWWWW
It looks soooooooooooooooo GOOD
It’s morning here now but I wish I could eat this ice-cream right now
tentimestea says
Oh my gosh, not only did you make such a wonderful ice cream, but then combined it!! With those cookies!!
I would love to try this sort of breakfast reinvention for dessert or breakfast any day!
Dini says
Thank you! 😀 I couldn’t resist it!Probably did add too much ice cream in there, but we didn’t mind… 🙂
Julie @ HostessAtHeart says
I am just drooling. I’ve never seen a combo like this!
Dini says
Thank you Julie! 🙂
Liz says
Ii’s these ice cream sandwiches that won me over! I don’t much care for sweets but my mouth was watering. I’ve pinned it and just might to purchase an ice cream maker,
Dini says
I hope you do try the ice cream too Liz. I usually don’t like sickly sweet ice cream, and the Maple gives it a Lovely earthy sweetness without being overly sweet! 🙂
mila furman says
OMG Dini!!! This is awesome!!!! SO VERY AWESOME! Also…you HAVE to teach me how to do those GIF;s
Dini says
Thank you Mila! 😀 and I can definitely teach you how to make the Gifs! 🙂
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
OMG I’m going to have to make this asap! Love pancakes – and the syrup. I’m in heaven!!
Dini says
Thank you Sam!! Yes! I hope you make this soon and let me know what you think!! 😀
Sara says
This sounds amazing, what a creative recipe!
Dini says
Thank you Sara!
CakeSpy says
I just…I love you. This is wonderful.
Dini says
Thank you Jessie! 😀
Ganu says
Oh Wow! This sounds and looks so damn good!!!! You have done it again! I just can’t wait for you to get a book deal!!!!!
arlene@arl's world says
Yummy 🙂
Stephanie says
I am definitely pinning this, this is the best looking ice cream EVER- your pictures are sooooo good, I love it. I love the unique flavor too, I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Dini says
Thank you Stephanie! 😀 We had to wait 24 hours to eat it because I had to take pictures… but it was worth the wait! THANK YOU for pinning too 🙂
Janine says
Oh my goodness.. this looks and sounds dangerous… as in I would probably eat the whole thing in one sitting….
Dini says
Thank you Janine! We thought we might do that too… It’s not overly sweet too, so it was SO easy to get carried away 🙂 Please let me know what you think if you do try it!!
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
This looks fantastic! Buttermilk and maple syrup are definitely new ice cream flavors for me, but it sounds delicious. And I love all of the berries!
Dini says
Thank you Thao! 🙂 It’s now our favourite Ice cream flavour (at least till our next new discovery! haha!!!)