“Here — you’ve earned a drink — something from the Three Broomsticks. You won’t have tried it before –” Lupin pulled two bottles out of his briefcase. “Butterbeer!” said Harry, without thinking. “Yeah, I like that stuff!” – Remus Lupin, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
What is Butterbeer, exactly?
Described in the Harry Potter universe as “A delicious wizard drink served warm and foaming in tankards or chilled in bottles” with a flavor “a little bit like less-sickly butterscotch.”
Of all of the delicious things mentioned in Harry Potter, Butterbeer is definitely my favorite. There’s something particularly magic about the idea of drinking a Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade village and I love that it always seemed to mark moments of friendship.
Butterbeer reimagined as Butterbeer Frozen Custard
Though there are many versions of Butterbeer as a drink, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, I thought it would be really spectacular reimagined as a frozen custard. Considering the descriptor of a “less-sickly butterscotch,” it was important that the base of the Butterbeer Frozen Custard was rich, without being overly sweet.
A delicious update
As a recipe developer, I test and retest my recipes until they’ve reached the point that I think they’re ready to share with the world. But every once in a while, I send something delicious out that I wonder if I could have elevated even further. This recipe was the equivalent of my unfinished painting. Absolutely delicious in its original form, but it always needled me at the back of my mind that it was missing a brushstroke that could make it even better. That brushstroke was butter.
The original base of the custard is still flavored with a bit of almond extract, which I find to be just a little bit richer than vanilla. However, I’ve toned the original amount of almond down in favor of adding some creamy-rich butter. Yes, butter. The thing that always bugged me about every iteration of Butterbeer” anything” was that it always lacked the butter flavor that I assumed was present in the book version.
The resulting base is rich, creamy, and when paired with the salty-sweet ribbons of my Paleo Butterscotch Sauce, a perfect tribute to the butterbeer I imagined when first reading the books.
What’s the difference between custard and ice cream?
The addition of egg yolks in custard is the primary differentiator from ice cream. Egg yolks make the texture of custard just a little bit richer and creamier than ice cream, owing to the additional fat content of the egg.
For those Harry Potter super-nerds like me, you’ll know that the number 7 is very integral to Harry’s journey as well as the wizarding community as a whole. Therefore, you will find the magic number of 7 egg yolks in this Butterbeer Frozen Custard.
No Ice Cream Maker?
This batch of Butterbeer Frozen Custard was made in a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. No ice cream maker, no problem. Just make the mixture ahead of time, pop it in your bread pan, and let the freezer do all the work. You’ll need to wait until the custard has reached frozen yogurt consistency before adding the butterscotch though, otherwise, it will fall straight to the bottom. Alternatively, you can just drizzle it on top if you prefer serving it sundae style.
A note for special diets
This Butterbeer Frozen Custard is refined sugar-free. I generally opt to use a lactose-free half & half in this but it works equally well with traditional half & half too.
LOOKING FOR MORE HARRY POTTER CONTENT?
I’m celebrating Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling’s birthdays on July 31st by filling the month with all things Potter. Check back regularly this month to see additional Harry Potter recipes and content linked HERE.
Butterbeer Frozen Custard
Prep
Cook
Inactive
Total
Yield 1 1/2 quarts
Butterbeer Frozen Custard is a delicious blend of buttery almond frozen custard paired with salty-sweet ribbons of butterscotch sauce.
Ingredients
for the frozen custard base:
- 4 cups (1qt) 1/2 & 1/2 (I like to use this lactose-free one but you can use regular just the same)
- 1/2 cup raw honey
- 7 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup butter or ghee
- 1 tsp almond extract
for the butterscotch sauce:
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar (may sub raw honey if you prefer)
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 4 tbsp butter or ghee
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp of sea salt
Instructions
- Pour half & half, butter, and raw honey into a medium saucepan and heat over medium until it reaches a simmer, stirring occasionally to combine. Once it reaches a simmer, turn the heat off.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks until they lighten in color and become slightly frothy.
- Temper the eggs by gradually adding a small amount of the dairy mixture to the eggs, whisking continuously. Continue to add small amounts of the dairy mixture until nearly 1/2 of the mixture has been added to the egg yolks. The heat from the dairy mixture can scramble the eggs if you do not temper slowly, so take your time and continue to whisk as you go.
- Once the eggs have been tempered, add them back to the saucepan with the remaining dairy mixture.
- Turn the heat back to medium and continue to cook, stirring frequently. Once the mixture has reached 170 degrees F and thickened slightly, it should coat the back of a spoon. To test this, dip a spoon into the custard mixture and then run your finger across the back of the spoon. If a clear path is made through the middle and the rest of the spoon remains coated, your mixture is ready to be removed from the heat.
- Pour the custard through a fine mesh strainer into a large, heat-proof bowl. The sieve will catch any unwanted bits to ensure your custard is smooth.
- Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature for half an hour then stir in the almond extract. The reason we add the extract in at this late stage is so that none of the flavor burns off in the cooking process.
- If your bowl is cool to the touch at this point, cover it and place it in the refrigerator until it reaches 40 degrees F or below. This will likely take a minimum of 4 hours, but may take 6 hours or more, depending on the size and shape of your bowl and the temperature of your refrigerator.
1.5 - 2 hours before you plan to add the custard to your ice cream maker, start prepping the butterscotch sauce.
- In a small pan over medium-low heat, add coconut sugar, coconut milk, and butter and stir to combine. Allow to come to a low rolling boil and allow to thicken, stirring occasionally. This process will take 10-15 minutes and the resulting temperature should be somewhere between 230-240 degrees F.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.
- Allow to cool at room temperature until ready to add to the ice cream mixture. If you are making this ahead of time, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but will need to come to room temperature again before being added to the ice cream.
To combine:
- Add custard mixture to your ice cream maker and allow to churn for around 15-20 minutes.
- Once the mixture has reached a thick frozen yogurt consistency, spoon half of the mixture into a bread pan or freezer-safe container and spread into an even layer
- Drizzle half of the butterscotch over the top of the frozen custard in thin sheets and then swirl using a fork or spoon quickly. Once the butterscotch hits the frozen custard, it solidifies very quickly. If you prefer to have thick chunks in your frozen custard when scooping you can leave these, but it will not roll into a scoop as easily. I recommend swirling the butterscotch in so that you end up with ribbons of butterscotch sauce throughout when you go to scoop later. Repeat with the remaining custard mixture and remaining butterscotch sauce. If you prefer, you can reserve the butterscotch and use it to top the custard sundae-style.
- Cover the container and place in the freezer for an additional 4 hours or more to further solidify.
Notes
Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Courses Dessert
Cuisine British
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 341 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 25 g | 38% | |
Saturated Fat 15 g | 75% | |
Cholesterol 179 mg | 60% | |
Sodium 140 mg | 6% | |
Total Carbohydrates 27 g | 9% | |
Sugars 26 g | ||
Protein 5 g | 10% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
HOW FUN! I love that you made it lactose-free. I need to fugure out how to make it egg-free, as well.
Butterbeer is the best! This recipe looks fabulous!!
I’ve never heard of this before but it sure looks tasty!!
This sounds so good. I’ve never heard of butterbeer but this sounds like something I’d love to try!
This sounds so good. I’ve never heard of butterbeer but this sounds like something I’d love to try!
The Harry Potter books were so fun! My son hated reading before they came out. After I read him Sorcerer’s Stone, he read all of the rest himself! This butterbeer custard looks amazing! And I can actually eat it! (lactose intolerant!) I’m totally trying this!!
I’m so glad that the books inspired him to get into reading! I try to keep the lactose low in our house too, so I’m glad that they make such great lactose-free dairy products these days.
This post brings back childhood memories and ofcourse the kids are going to love Harry Potter Theme.
ok, I totally have to make this! looks delicious & easy
This is such a fun flavor! Perfect for Harry Potter fans!
This looks like it would taste so amazing. I have never had anything like this but am definitely giving it a try!
Yum!! I feel like this would be SO great for a Harry Potter movie marathon night. Thanks for the idea!
Gosh this looks AMAZING!! Great flavors goin’ on here! 🙂
OH my yummy! We need to make this for a Harry Potter movie marathon!
Oh my gosh yuuuuuum. I really want to go to Harry Potter World and drink Butterbeer, haha. This looks like a great substitute in the meantime!
This looks delicious! I had never tried custard until last year, I can’t believe I waited so long!!
It’s really the creamiest!
Wow this is a keeper. My kids would love this and I have an ice cream maker so guess what is on the list for next flavor of ice cream to make at home 🙂
Perfect! It’s the perfect weather to bust that ice cream maker out!
This frozen custard looks like it might be calling my name…lol It looks so refreshing and cold. I’m dying in the heat here in Florida so I could really go for a nice bowl of this.
I’ve been following a few of your Harry Potter posts on Instagram. We’re huge HP fans here. (I had HP birthdays for both of my girls, now 23 and 17 when they were younger.) I wish I’d had Butterbeer ice cream then!
Glad to meet a fellow Harry Potter fan! I’m sure they would still appreciate this ice cream as adults. Sometimes it’s fun to embrace your childhood!
This looks fantastic!!! I love your themed desserts to match the books!!!
It’s been a really fun series to write recipes for!
Oh wow!!! That butterscotch sauce sounds so good! Love this! Cant wait to give this recipe a try!
Wow, love this post so much. I am a huge Harry Potter fan! I love this butter beer frozen custard so much. Looks so delicious!!!
I have never heard of butterbeer but I sure want some! This looks so decadent
This is such a fun recipe and I love how you got creative with butterbeer!
Wow, this sounds amazing! Pinned to try later! Love anything with a HP theme 🙂
I have heard of a few different versions of butterbeer. This is a nice new twist.
Looks so delicious and perfect for the summer! Refreshing and yummy ♥
As a huge Harry Potter fan, I have always wanted to try butter beer. I definitely have to try out this recipe!
I am such a big Harry Potter fan! I am rooking forward to making this for my family. We actually listened to all the books on audio while driving.
This sounds amazing! I need to make when we watch Harry Potter next!
how cute!! I have always dreamed of going to a Harry Potter themed party. Maybe I’ll just host one and make this!
Mmmmmm this flavour combo is to die for! Also appreciating the potter theme!!
I’ve heard of butterbeer but never tried it, and now i’m drooling! I must have this!
We love all things Harry Potter and Butterbeer! I would have never thought of making a butterbeer flavored custard. This would be great for a Harry Potter party!
Such a great tribute to Butterbeer! I’m a HP fan as well, and one of the thrills I get is from telling people that I share a birthday with Harry Potter. I don’t have an ice-cream maker, but I love these flavors and I think I could try a no-churn ice cream with a similar flavor base.
What a great birthday to share! This would work well as a no-churn recipe. You’ll just want to add the butterscotch sauce in stages so that it does drop to the bottom.
What a brilliant idea to turn the butterbeer flavors into a custard! It looks amazing!
How fun! This looks super yummy!! My family would love it! Thanks for sharing your fun recipe:)
Girl, you are seriously talented! I love reading your posts, and how your recipes always come with a little twist 🙂
I love this recipe idea. Ever since I watched the Harry Potter series with my daughter we’ve been wanting to taste butterbeer anything. I am definitely pinning this to make really soon.
What a fun treat to enjoy together after watching the movies or reading the books!
I have been searching for a simple yet delicious ice cream recipe to try this summer – would you believe I’ve NEVER made ice cream before?!?! We are definitely making this next weekend when we have friends over. Thanks for sharing!
I hope you enjoy your first batch of ice cream!
What a fun recipe! Very thoughtfully written, and incorporates important elements from the Harry Potter series. I’ve never thought to make butter beer frozen custard, but can’t wait to try this recipe! Looks absolutely fantastic!
I’m always team custard–this looks absolutely delicous and perfect for the 4th of july!
I love this! Butterscotch is a favourite for me and this frozen custard looks perfectly creamy and rich. I know this won’t last long in my house!
How amazing does this sweet treat look?! My sister is a huge harry potter fan so I’m going to have to forward her this recipe! Loving the picture of the glass with the honey in it!! Amazing!
Oh my gosh my son would love this. Definitely going to try this for his birthday if I can wait that long!
Lucky guy! I hope you love this recipe!
What a fantastic treat and I love your notes for those of us who don’t have an ice cream maker! So happy I can still make this. HP inspired treats are so much fun!
They are a really fun thing to make! Plenty more coming this month!
My daughter is OBSESSED with Harry Potter! She will love this recipe! Can’t wait to try it with her!
What a fun recipe! I LOVE the creaminess you get from the butterbur! The the theme of this ice cream makes it extra special.
I love the idea of Butterbeer flavor! It looks scrumptious and the fact that it has honey makes me a fan before trying it.
We have some visitors who just returned from a trip to Harry Potter world at Universal Studios and I bet they’d love this. Can’t wait to make it for them!
My family is obsessed with HP and we too have butterbeer recipe on our blog too, now seriously we need to figure out how to make this custard without eggs!