Recipe: Walnut Ice Cream Bonbons

These cute Walnut Ice Cream Bonbons, wrapped in a chocolate shells, topped with a crunchy sticky nuts, are dessert that will delight everyone.

Ingredients

• 1 pint or 2 cups ice cream, preferably vanilla or coffee
• 12 lollipop sticks
• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Ingredients, continued

• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp dark brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Method

• Preheat an oven to 200°C.
• Scoop the ice cream into 12 small round balls using a melon baller or a spoon and insert a lollipop sticks into the centre of each.
  Freeze at least half an hour or more.

Method, continued

• Mix together the walnuts, cinnamon, maple syrup, brown sugar and pour onto a parchment lined baking sheet, spreading into one layer.
  Bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring once in between, until light golden brown, take out, keep aside and let cool.

Method, continued

• Meanwhile melt the chocolate chips in the microwave on high for three 30-second increments or on a double boiler, stirring in between.
  Dip each ice cream lollipop in the melted chocolate, gently shaking off excess and quickly roll bottom into the walnut mixture. 

Method, continued

• Place back into freezer until ready to serve.

Tips
Firm ice cream works best -- use slightly hardened ice cream for easy scooping and shaping.
Pre-chill your tools -- make sure your melon baller or spoon is well-chilled before scooping to prevent melting.
Quick hands, quick freezing -- work in small batches so the ice cream does not melt.

Recipe: Kind courtesy California Walnuts.