I’m from Maine – a rugged sort of place that requires its citizens to be tough. You have to be tough to get up and go to work when the temperature is 25 below, snow’s five feet deep and the wind is blowing a gale.
Maine is beautiful. The first time my Aussie husband visited Maine, we’d just come from our home in Victoria in southern Australia where we’d been in drought for about 7 years and he said, “Sure is green!” Everything in our world was brown and here was this mass of green as far as he could see (he had his head glued to the window of the plane).
The contrast between where I lived and where I was from was striking. We lived along the Murray River in Australia – one of Australia’s biggest river systems and there in Maine we were walking along the banks of the mighty Kennebec River in Winslow. John said he’d never seen so much water in a river before. During the worst of the drought we could have walked across the Murray River.
People in Maine talk funny. They have different words for common things. Mainers hang aht on their walls, walk down the road apiece, stand in the doah yahd, eat wicked good chowdah, put their buhdados down cellah and describe things in a cute way. “It was so fricken cold, even the lobstahs were wearin mittns.”
The word good has two syllables and the iconic word that suits just about any occasion for a Mainer is “ayuh.”
When I was 16 I got a part-time job across the river in Waterville at Rummel’s Ice Cream in the summer. It’s been sold to Gifford’s now but the building is the same. When I worked there, the Rummel family lived in the house.
I scooped ice cream, made sodas and sundaes and worked the snack bar where we served lobster rolls, hamburgers and deep fried hotdogs. Those were weird but I loved them.
“I’d like two lobstah rolls ta go,” didn’t sound odd way back then. Now it makes me laugh.
Rummel’s also had licorice ice cream and it was my all-time favorite. It was the sort of ice cream that turned your tongue black so you couldn’t pretend you hadn’t eaten any and if you spilled any on your white uniform – busted! It didn’t wash off very easily.
I didn’t care. I ate it anyway.
My father was a dedicated strawberry ice cream man. I’d get a cone of licorice ice cream and my dad would roll his eyes and say, “Anyone that would eat that would eat shit off a rusty spoon, Maureen.” He also said ‘jumpin judas on a rock’ when he got really angry too.
A few weeks ago I was reminiscing about my childhood and told John I wanted to make some licorice ice cream – for old time’s sake.
He wrinkled up his nose as if to ask, “Do you HAVE to?”
“Will you make me some vanilla or chocolate? I don’t think I can eat black ice cream and I’m not fond of licorice.”
He’s incredibly spoiled. He was the baby of the family and spoiled from the day he was born. When he was young his sister would dress him before waking him up so his mother wouldn’t yell at him for missing breakfast (again). I must be guilty of spoiling him too because I made vanilla ice cream too.
When I finished the licorice ice cream and it was in the container, I put the container inside a ziplock bag. Someone on the interwebs said if you put it in a plastic bag, the ice cream would never get too hard to scoop. Nonsense I thought but guess what? It worked! It was solid but scoopable. I always put a piece of baking paper directly on top of the ice cream as that prevents any freezer burn or ice crystals forming on the top but I’d never tried the baggie idea. Brilliant.
If it’s been a long time since you licked the side of a licorice ice cream cone, why not try this recipe. John’s dad and I loved it. Black tongues and all.
- 1 cup milk
- ¾ cup sugar
- dash salt
- 5 egg yolks
- 1 tsp licorice flavoring or 113 grams (4 oz) black licorice candy
- 2 cups cream
- Into a medium saucepan, add the milk, sugar, salt and licorice candy if using and heat to nearly boiling (and the licorice candy is melted).
- While milk is heating, whisk egg yolks til frothy.
- While whisking briskly, slowly add ⅓ of the hot milk and then add the egg mixture back into the pan of hot milk.
- Reheat the mixture until the custard coats the back of a wooden spoon - don't overcook or you'll get scrambled eggs.
- Remove from heat and add in licorice flavoring.
- Chill for several hours or overnight. Add in the cream and freeze in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions.
Looks Awesome 🙂
I am sure going to try this one.
Thanks Mel! Let me know how it turns out.
Has anyone ever heard licorice swirl ice cream? When I was a child we used to go to Pennsylvania to visit my grandmother in at the little store down the road they served licorice swirl ice cream. It was delicious
I’m from Lancaster, PA and I don’t remember eating licorice ice cream when I lived there. I came upon it in Arizona in the mid to late 60’s. My sister and I loved black licorice and 31 Flavors Ice Cream Co. would have it around Halloween time. Our Dad would take us there!! I was going to ask……can you add anise flavoring? it is in black licorice candy.
Thank you Maureen for writing this post. My father and I shared a passion for black licorice ice cream at Rummels and would sneak there for our treat on really hot summer days. When Giffords took the place over they stopped carrying the flavor but Smileys in Winslow continued to make it. Now the only place near Waterville I can find it is at the Dairy cone on North Street! Today is the first day of the season for them and I’m about to drive over there with my son for our annual tradition of the first cone of the season…black licorice for both of us! I worked briefly at an assisted living facility and used to read to Ann Rummel when her eyes began to fail her. We often reminisced about Rummels ice cream and all the joy it brought our community. I am so glad I came across your post today. It has made my day.
Pretty picture! I thought it was blueberry ice cream until I read the title. 🙂 Sometimes the unusual ice cream flavors end up being the best. 🙂
Yeah, I should have used something other than purple under the placemat. I thought it matched the pansy. 🙂 Turns out the ice cream went from gray to a blue. 🙂
I haven’t had licorice ice cream in so long I totally forgot it existed! Shame on me – I love having a black tongue. 😉 John’s dad sounds like an ace. And that baggie trick is new to me – thanks. Really fun post – thanks.
John’s dad loved it and last night for dessert I served vanilla ice cream and he said, “I thought I was getting licorice.” So he had that too.
I love the color of this ice cream. LOVE it I say!!!!! I would try it in a heartbeat. Love licorice any time any where.
Looks so pretty. And the purple pansies look gorgeous next to the ice cream.
What’s not to love?
Worth a black tongue. Oh I am plotting my fun as I type……….
I know and I will admit that after I ate one of those bowls of ice cream in the photo, I went to the mirror and began laughing. 🙂
Oh it is SOOO wonderful being a kid again. 🙂
All of your pictures of this gorgeous ice cream are beautiful Maureen, but the one of Maine in the fall is breathtaking! We’ve always wanted to take a fall trip to the northeast and now I see why. 🙂 So what’s “buhdados”? I was able to interpret everything else. 🙂 I love licorice, but like John, Bobby doesn’t so I would definitely have a batch of this all to myself. Yay!!!! I noticed that you and your FIL loved it. Did John even taste it? 🙂 Enjoy the post!
Oh I can’t believe you didn’t get “potatoes” LOL
and no, John didn’t taste it, he’s a brat like that.
Maureen, can’t say I’m a huge fan of licorice icecream, but I LOVED reading your reminiscences of Maine. And John’s sister used to dress him while he was asleep? Like a doll? Hehehe…oh, I’ll be he’s soooo happy you told us that, darling… 😉 xxx
I don’t think he’s read this one because he hasn’t said anything. 🙂 Cathy told me that she’d dress him and put his shoes and socks on and then wake him up. I just rolled my eyes and said he’d never get that treatment from me.
I’m with John on the dislike of black licorice so I’d like a scoop of the vanilla please. 🙂 Twizzlers on the other hand, which is a red licorice, I love. Totally different taste.
yeah twizzlers is candy and licorice is well… licorice
But Twizzlers claim to be red ‘licorice’. I guess it’s false advertising. 🙂
Maureen, this is such an entertaining post… loved your descriptions and reminiscences. Would I love liquorice ice cream? I don’t know… but I think I will try this in Summer. Gorgeous photos!
John doesn’t like it so it’s probably an acquired American taste. 🙂 Sort of like Vegemite.
I love liquorice, but my husband can’t stand it, so I doubt I’ll have an excuse to make this one any time soon! 🙂
I know. Sometimes you just have to push through their resistance. I said, “I’m making it for me, any questions?” 🙂
I’ve never been to Maine and so I loved your description of it. What a contrast to drought-stricken Australia. I think I would have loved to have worked in an ice cream parlour as a teenager. There used to be a parlour near us that sold licorice ice cream. It was my favourite! Yes, there was a black tongue situ too. I love your presentation! xx
Thanks, Charlie. All my life I wanted to own an ice cream parlour but it never happened.
I’m starting to really enjoy licorice! And I had no idea that people from Maine spoke differently. If I sound it out it reminds me of the Boston accent. Is it similar?
Boston is in New England too and the accents are similar. Maine is probably more redneck and severe and a few words are different. A frying pan is a spider (spidah) for instance. Wicked good = very good. There are a lot of wicked things in Maine and all are good. 🙂
I adore licorice but I’ve never had licorice icecream! I must try this one. And thanks for the tip about the zip lock bag.
I’m definitely going to use the bag trick again. We (I) make ice cream frequently because we (he) loves it.
Maureen, your ice cream ‘balls’ are so beautifully photographed and thanks for the licorice recipe! At least you didn’t have a Boston accent (like the Kennedy’s)!
I don’t think I’ve ever had licorish ice cream before, I’d love to try a scoop, Maureen, black tongue and all! We’ve been at a friend’s cottage this weekend and tomorrow we’re back in the city and heading up to our cottage on Wednesday. It’s been a little chilly for ice cream today, but yesterday was perfect.
What a perfectly enjoyable post. I relate on so many levels. The first time my Aussie husband visited my hometown in Iowa we were in a freezing blizzard with a wind chill factor of minus 45 degrees below zero. I simply had to smile and say, yes dear, this is typical Christmas weather. It was a far cry from his usual “spend the day at the beach for Christmas” his family was familar with.
He LOVES Darrell Lea’s black licorice that I buy at Trader Joe’s and at World Market. I can’t wait to surprise him with this wonderful recipe!
Thanks for sharing this treasure.
Hi Cathy and thanks for letting me know we have a similar background. I’ve never been to Iowa but I can still vote for the President and the prime minister. 🙂 I still don’t feel Christmasy until the lights go up and even then, where’s the crunch of the snow under their paws so you know that Rudolph has landed on the roof??
What gorgeous bowls of ice cream! I have the worst time photographing it…or maybe I’m just impatient. I love cherry licorice, but would be happy to try a scoop of your black licorice ice cream just to test it out 🙂
I just found some completly gluten free licorice so I can actually make this Maureen! I may wait until it warms up just a little though….
Maureen, My mom who grew up in Maine, now lives in Massachusetts, LOVES black licorice! I kinda like it but will share this recipe with her. I have an ice cream maker so we will make it.
Thanks for sharing your story, loved it!
Love your licorice ice cream – it’s such a gorgeous colour. Licorice is always on our shopping list when we go home so this is getting bookmarked!
Hi Maureen! My sister shares your name. She also worked at an ice cream shop at 16 🙂 My hubby would love your ice cream. He loves black licorice! Gorgeous photos!!
Your sister Maureen and I would get along just fine then. We’d have lots to talk about. 🙂 Thanks so much for coming by and leaving a comment, Sandra.
Dear Maureen, food brings back the fondest of memories. I would very much love this ice cream. I love black licorice. Blessings dearest. Catherine xo
Thanks, Catherine. I know what you mean about food memories.
I loved hearing about Maine – it looks glorious! Sometime in my future is a 6-month trip to the US so we can explore the country. I will remember about Maine.
I have never tried liquorice ice cream but you have sold me on it.
6 months? I’m envious!
I’m not a huge liquorice fan but this does look wonderful. I’ve never heard that tip about the ziplock bag but I’ll be using that for sure!
yeah, either you’re a licorice fan or you’re not 🙂
Sorry pressed submit before I’d finished. I worked in an ice-cream shop when I was 16 (maybe 17) too! Best job ever although they’d only let us have one small ice-cream per shift.
I loved my first job. I was eager to go and reluctant to leave.
Exotic looking ice creams .I am sure must be yummy sure to try this one out 😀
Oh Maureen what a great story. I would have liked to work in an icecream parlour. I absolutely love liquorice ice cream so salty and sweet and moreish. What an exciting trip for you darling John. Thank goodness he found you ! x
He loved it. My mother enjoyed taking him to the shore for lobster. He wasn’t used to eating it with “drawn butter” but he learned to love it.
It was the best job for a 16 year old. I learned how to work, that’s for sure.
What a great post, it is so interesting to hear about your time in Maine. I love liquorice but I have never tried liquorice ice cream it sounds delicious.
I’ll trade you some licorice ice cream for some red velvet cake! Your cake is gorgeous!
What a fun post to read, I too thought it was blueberry ice cream when I saw the photo.
Maine is such a beautiful place and the coast lines are just so gorgeous, your photo brings back fond memories, thanks.
I do have such fond memories of growing up in Maine. 🙂
I have never had licorice ice cream before – but you have me curious now!
I have never had licorice ice cream before – but you have me curious now! beautiful pictures!
I’m not a licorice fan but my hubby is. So, I’m with John on this one – lol! I love reading your stories Maureen. I’ve never been to Maine but it’s on my “bucket list”. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of it with us 🙂
You should visit Maine and in the summer. Maine corn is the best I’ve ever had. 🙂 The lobstah ain’t bad neitha.
I adore licorice. I adore ice cream. Thus it follows I will adore this. I love the look of it. You must be expert at making sodas and other fountain treats; my husband worked at Carnation Dairy Showroom and Restaurant here in Los Angeles as a teenager and through college. Even still he makes the most perfect scoops, and wonderfully beautiful sundaes and treats. I guess one never forgets how to work the scoop! This is a terrific post, and your photoraphs of Maine are really gorgeous. Thanks!
Oh my goodness, my hubby would die of happiness if I made this for him! I’m going to pin it and might try to do it without an ice cream maker. I don’t like ice cream so Dennis just buys ice cream when it suits his fancy. He loves black licorice (and has turned me onto it as well) and he’d adore this.
I loved reading about your home state a little bit, and the way they talk. Are you a Stephen King fan? Since he lives there (you didn’t ever see him in real life, did you?), a lot of his books are based out of Maine and the townsfolk talk that way, just like you said! 🙂 I listen to audiobooks at work and King reads many of them himself, so I could hear him pronouncing the words you were writing out. 🙂
Oh, I must have this! I always thought I hated licorice until I had licorice gelato in Florence and – switch flicked. Bring on the ice cream clothes stains 😉
Prettiest ice cream styling ever! Two thumbs-up images, your excellency 🙂
How come every time I read your post, I feel like I’m back to my ‘sane state of mind’ ? – You’re a powerful, lovely writer as well, your sweetness 🙂
I never have heard of a sister who would dress her baby brother in sleep so that he would not get yelled at…what an awesome, fabulous sister is that!!! I love the way Mainers talk, lol!! It’s hard for me to at time understand what they are saying, but I get the hang of it. The ice cream looks fab. Never had licorice ice cream. Must try it.
I will trust that this tastes good, as I’m not a fan of licorice.
OMG! My mum would love this – have just sent her the link to have a go! Hopefully she’ll make extra for me! 🙂
Wow… Love the idea of licorice ice cream. Don’t know why but I just LOVE that color. you definitely don’t see that color and flavor at your local Baskin Robbins. Great recipe Maureen! 🙂
Oh my gosh Maureen….I never knew you were a fellow New Englander! Being from Boston, I’ve had plenty of wicked good chowdah in my day. But I must admit I’ve never had black licorice ice cream! The color is really beautiful, despite what it would do to my tongue! I’m all for such unique flavors in ice cream. Great tip on the baggie….and even in placing a piece of parchment on the ice cream, too!
I saw this being made on Masterchef Australia and stared in disbelief, but I’m getting used to some of the quirky flavours and this is definitely worth a try on your say so. Beautiful picture of Maine, such wonderful colours. GG
Ahh, I missed that. I went on memory alone. 🙂 The autumn foliage in Maine is breathtaking.
With accents being strong, it’s sometimes hard to believe that two people are both speaking English 🙂 This ice cream looks amazing and I just know I would love liquorice in ice cream form.
John couldn’t understand everyone in Maine. If he whispered, “What ARE they saying?” once he said it 100 times.
I grew up eating black licorice ice cream – the blacker the better. 🙂 This looks and sounds amazing! 🙂
I thought about going full black and then decided it was overkill. 🙂 I’m happy with the charcoal colour.
Oh I LOVE licorice! Never had it in ice-cream form though, I really must try this! I remember when I was little and went to parties, all the kids would go nuts for the coloured jelly beans and leave the black licorice one’s. I’d just sit back, wait and pounce on all the left over black jelly beans. I adore any aniseed flavour, licorice, ouzo, raki, black Sambuca…
I always waited at Halloween in the states for all the black jelly beans. When I got older you could buy only black and I was in heaven. 🙂 You get a black tongue from those too.
The ice cream looks so good..the texture has been captured so well. Loved the way you have styled it with with beautiful flowers
Thanks a lot, Shema. I had the purple and then saw the pot of flowers. 🙂
Maureen, what caught my eye were your photos (I’m not a black licorice fan) — wouldn’t change a thing. Might even be tempted to try a taste, as good as it looks! The history and regionalism in your story were marvelous. Ayuh.
Thanks heaps, Kim!
Hi Maureen,
I can’t wait to try this. I used to get licorice ice cream at Baskin Robbins about 50 years ago.
One question, do you heat up the 2 cups of cream with the milk, sugar, salt and licorice candy or when do I add it to the custard mix?
Thank you, I’ll let you know how it turns out.
When I heat the milk I add the candy and I don’t boil it. Just under the boil until the candy is dissolved. Then I add it to the eggs.
I’d like two ice cream cones tah go. Did I say it like Maine? 😛 After seeing the picture in fridgg, I had to come and check out the recipe! Not sure where I can get liquorice here, but I will be on the look out for it!
yes, that’s exactly right, Cindy. Here in Australia it’s always “for takeaway”. I had to get used to that.
Maine is so beautiful, on my travel list! My grandpa has loved black licorice for as long as I can remember; he’d love it if I made him a batch of your ice cream!
I bet he’d love it!
I love hearing about Maine, I’ve never been there but it’s on my “bucket list”. Sounds like I’ll have to educate myself to understand the locals “lingo”. 🙂 Your ice cream is just stunning, those pansies set it off just beautifully, I can’t stop staring at it even if I can’t have a lick (and a black tongue). Not quite the same but I’m enjoying it nevertheless!
My grandmother used to keep her ice cream in a little room off of her bathroom. We’d sneak a spoon, lock the bathroom door and have an ice cream party in the little back room. Good think she didn’t have licorice ice cream, we would have been busted, for sure, unless we kept our mouths sealed tight all day. 🙂
LOL I love that story! I would have gone in there with you.
I hope you get to visit Maine.. it’s worth a visit. They don’t call it Vacationland for nothing.
Beautiful picture of the river Maureen…
I never had licorice ice cream, sounds delicious and you presented so beautifully with the edible flower.
Have a lovely week 😀
Oh, I am soooo going to make this. I found licorice ice cream several years ago at Munnerlyn’s here in Pine Grove, CA. A very small ice cream maker in a very small town. Sooo good, but they don’t always have it. I recently got the ice cream maker attachement for my Kitchenaid stand mixer and have been wanting a licorice ice cream recipe!
Thanks!
Hi Sherrill,
This should be a snap in your new ice cream maker. I’m so glad you stopped by and hope to see you again soon!
Whoa, my friend licorice ice cream…that’s intense. No doubt I would love it.
Velva
If you like licorice you would. 🙂
Before reading the post,I really enjoyed the captures with cute pancy flowers….
licorice is something new to me,but love to have black tongue after having it…..Nice to read about lifestyle in Maine
Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment, Amy. The black tongue instantly brings you back to childhood. 🙂
Your ice cream is beautiful, especially with the pretty flower on the side. I’d love to visit Maine one day in the fall, maybe even try some licorice ice cream.
The autumn colors in Maine can be spectacular.
This is really beautiful Maureen. Love your little flowers. They contrast so well on the dark ice cream. I am a huge fan of licorice and every time I see licorice ice cream I still seem to go for the chocolate option. Might have to treat myself with this recipe!
You should try it or come on over and I’ll make some 🙂
Oye, these look amazing!!! Very beautiful.
Thanks so much!
I’m pretty sure I would adore this ice cream. I love black licorice and who doesn’t love cream?! i would love to try this unique recipe. Beautiful pictures too!
Thanks so much and I’m really glad to meet you! This is a delightful ice cream. 🙂
I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting Maine twice, Maureen and I must admit, it is one beauty of a state! I didn’t find the lingo that pronounced though but, I wasn’t really in the rural areas. I know it makes a difference here in PA:)
I don’t know about licorice ice cream since I am devoted to chocolate ice cream. I do adore Good & Plenties though, lol…I can just imagine a Good & Plenty type ice cream. I would definitely have to try it!
Thank you so much for strolling through Maine with us and your memories…
Love your Maine Drawl…It is almost like learning a foreign language. (LOL) I have never heard of liquorice ice cream but can picture now how your tongue would get numb both from the coldness of the ice cream and also the liquorice flavorings too. Interesting! Great tidbit on using the baggie methods for making ice cream, will have to give that suggestion a try.
I thought it looks like my black sesame ice cream, Maureen! And now I’m even more surprised that there is black licorice ice cream, and you like it! LOL. That’s something that I’m not used to it yet. I first tasted it in college as my room mate was eating it. It sounded…very unique. I thought I’d get used to it, but the texture seemed too weird and I just didn’t get used to the taste. Not sure now it’s been years (decades!). Thanks for the fun story, baggie tip, and interesting recipe!
“ayuh” Maureen, YUM, true!
Even though has been VERY cold here in Adelaide, could go for some of your licorice ice cream; LOVE Maine and have been many times too!
Cheers! Joanne
Oh this is seriously the most drool worthy ice cream photo I have seen in a while! brilliant. I’m not a fan of licorice per se but in ice cream it could be wild…
My ice cream wasn’t terribly strong in licorice flavor – and that’s just what I wanted. I got a black tongue and it tasted like licorice… job done. 🙂
Eek, I just can’t stand licorice, even weak flavours… makes my tongue curl, lol, but it’s a really beautiful colour Maureen – very nicely done and presented, even if I’m not sure if the flavour is for me! 😀
It’s okay, Charles. I made strawberry today with nice chunks of berries – will that do?
If i’m not mistaken, is’t licorice is the drugs we used to threat a cought patient???
this is a good infussion ice cream, i guess i’m on search for the licorice candy!
This is certainly an ice cream I never had tried before, nice post. I will try this when summer hits our place
It’s 26 here today and that’s warm enough for ice cream for me, Raymund!
I like your baking paper and ziplock bag idea – both brilliant!!
Hi
I have just tried this recipe, but my ice cream is brown, like dark caramel. What did I do wrong? I used licorice candy, would it be better to use flavouring and food colouring? Thanks
Judith
It must be the type of licorice you used. If that happened to me in the mix I would just add some black gel food coloring. It wouldn’t take much. Sorry! How did it taste?
Hi Maureen, I want to use this recipe in an icecream cake for my husband, what brand of licorice did you use?
I’ve used the one in the bag from the Coles lolly aisle and I’ve used licorice flavouring that I got at a cooking shop. I think they all have them. They come in little tiny bottles and it only takes a few drops. I liked that better than using real licorice. The first time I used black gel colour and the second I just left it vanilla coloured. I liked the coloured one best visually but if I closed my eyes, they tasted the same.
Thankyou
HI Maureen
Thanks, the taste is divine!
What kind of black licorice candy do you use for ice cream??
Hi Kim. Here in Australia we can buy small pieces of licorice but you could use the kind that comes in ropes or twists. It all works the same way. You might have to taste the ice cream solution to see if it’s ‘licoricey’ enough for you. That’s what I did and got it just the way I liked it.
Hi Maureen! I am also from Maine. The Waterville area. I found your blog because I was looking for a recipe on how to make Licorice Ice Cream. My husband and I live in Qingdao, China. Ice cream and good black licorice is hard to come by. Usually we stock up when we get back to Denmark. I am having trouble melting the licorice and it has trend a coffee color and not the beautiful purple you have. I had to take the partially melted pieces out because it was taking way too long. Nearly 45 minutes of constant stirring and half melted. I doubled the recipe maybe that could have been the problem? Anyway I had Anise flavoring as a backup but now have coffee looking ice cream. I am assuming once I add the cream it will lighten a bit. I am thinking after I stir in the cream I might stir in the licorice bits that are partially melted too. Anywway I wanted to say hi.. and thank-you for your recipe. Best, Rita
You’re probably a LOT younger than I am but my first licorice ice cream was at Rummel’s at the end of Silver Street in Waterville. I worked there as a teenager. I grew up in Winslow, across the river from you. I suspect the difference is the licorice. You can buy really good licorice flavoring and use a black gel color and it will work the same way. I’ve tried it and was really pleased with the results.
Love black licorice. Used to get it at Baskin-Robbins in the ’60s and ’70s. Will definitely be trying this. I’ll probably have to eat it all by myself, though!
Hey, Maureen –
Great article. I used to live in that house with my mother
and father!
How cool! Not to be intrusive but were you there in the mid 60s ?? Would I remember you? 🙂 There was someone just a tad older than me who sneaked me into the attic one day. LOL
Yes, I was there, used to work in the back making ice cream and doing chores.
Then it was you that showed me the pistachios in the attic You were quite a scoundrel back in the day. 🙂
“Scoundrel” – I’m flattered. That sounds like something I might’ve done — but I’m not going to confess to it.
Just between you and me. After all these years you wouldn’t remember a thing about it. I remember because you were the boss’s son. 🙂
That ice cream picture is so pretty – love the little violets (are they violets) on the icecream – deeelish…love the story too 😉
I didn’t say I didn’t remember, I just said I wouldn’t confess. 😉
I love it!
I remember this ice cream growing up and haven’t found it around for many years,and I miss it so much. It’s totally my fav. I just can’t figure out what kind of licorice to use or where to find the black gel or flavoring. Could u please share where to find I live in south Florida. Thank you?
Thank you for the recipe,I can’t wait to make it ! I’m 11 and love making my own ice cream (love eating ice cream too!) and about two years ago we where on a family road trip when we stopped at a wacky ice cream shop in San Lois Obispo and they had licorice ice cream! I ordered it and the guy behind the counter looked at me like I was crazy and asked me are you sure.my older brother reassured him yep shes weird.but I still eat licorice ice cream when I get my hands on it!
I can say with certainty I would not survive in Maine … I barely make it in Michigan 🙂 However, this ice cream sounds so unique. I really want to give it a try. I used to hate black licorice, but over the years I have developed a taste for it and actually crave it frequently.
Wow, it’s so pretty and I definitely haven’t tried an ice cream flavor like this one. Would love to try it, doubt it’ll look like your one though!
Watching an old episode of The Dick Van Dyke show and he accidently bought licorice icecream. Never heard of it so it will be a fun family experiment making it. Thanks so much for your recipe!!
I’m old enough to remember The Dick Van Dyke show as a first run. 🙂 I hope you like the ice cream. It was a childhood favorite of mine.
Wow! I know this is an old posting, BUT, so am I at 74. However, when a teenager from Nova Scotia, Canada, I worked two summers in Northeast Harbour, Maine. Loved the people, loved the accent, loved the state. I remember it all so well! PS. I vaguely remember licorice ice cream from somewhere, but I assure you I am going to fire up the ice cream maker, and make this recipe!! Thank you!!
Frank, you’re not a lot older than I am. I got this ice cream from Rummels that used to be in Waterville back when I was a kid. I hope it goes well for you!
Licorice ice-cream is a really nice idea. I really enjoy this recipe.
want to try, but wonder if would be ok without the sugar, as don’t eat sugar. sounds delicious!!! I love love love licorice
Licorice has sugar in it so unless you’ve got licorice flavoring, maybe not. Sorry!
Recipe did not work at ALL!! not a good recipe and a waste of ingredients. I followed all the instructions precisely
I’m very sorry. I have found from other people that the quality of licorice does differ and some makes some very crap ice cream. The one I made several times was wonderful.
Hi Maureen,
I tried to make this recipe tonight for my father, after searching every supermarket I couldn’t get flavouring only Coles branded black licorice – I put this in the saucepan with milk, white sugar, salt and the licorice which I put up even smaller – but within a few 5 minutes of the licorice breaking down the mixture became lumpy/split and looks oaty. I had to completely abort as it looked horrible. Any tips or advice on what I did wrong!
Gosh, that’s not what happened with my licorice. It must be the brand you used because mine melted and was smooth. 🙁
I cant wait to try this. I hate black licorice, except in ice cream form. It’s my favorite and nearly impossible to find in the stores. As a kid, I always enjoyed the fact that all the excessive green dye in it would go right through your system for a couple of days after eating… TMI, but funny.
I’ve been craving Licorice Ice Cream for, well, decades. My mom and I L-O-V-E-D black licorice and as a kid, going to Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors after dinner during the summer was such a treat! My grand-kiddos think I crazy and made it up lol. I’m going to try your recipe but I’m curious, what licorice candy did you use? Some of the specialty ones at the stores are so salty.
Just regular black licorice candy.
My favorite ice cream is licorice. Growing up in Montana it was fun to eat because it was black. Then there was some controversy over the dye then it ended up gray. The last time I was back in Helena MT, I could still get it. It is made by a company called Wilcoxson’s. Also, nine years ago I found it in a litthe town called Regent ND. It is stl my favorite but hard to find in Mayland.
Hi Maureen,
I just have a question. If you use candy you would not need the flavoring, and vice versa. Am I correct in assuming this?
This sounds so good even tho I am not huge fan of licorice, although wifey is.
I plan on giving it a try.
yes, flavoring or candy
Hi Maureen, the recipe has me really excited to try to make ice cream. In Canada it’s a hit or miss to find licorice ice cream. Quick question, which black licorice candy do you use? Thanks for the amazing post and your dad sounded like an amazingly hilarious human!
Thank you.
I use any licorice candy I can find. Here in Australia it’s Darrell Lea 🙂
Hello, Maureen! I love black licorice. I once owned a recipe for Licorice Pudding, which is made in Sweden. Unfortunately, I lost it 🙁
I am going to try your recipe early next week (busy this weekend). I know EXACTLY where Winslow, Waterville is and the Kennebec River is: our son and his family lived in Norridgewock, then bought a house in North Anson, rented it to one of their daughters and now live way up in Calais. We would take all of them to Gifford’s in Madison (next door to Ken’s Family Restaurant) during the summer.
We used to go up there for years, but as we got older and we moved south, it’s very hard to get up there. I also have a grade school girlfriend who lives in Damariscotta.
Anyway, sure is nice to see another Mainer!
I am rating this recipe as if I had it already–because I am pretty sure I know how it will turn out 🙂
Wow, I’d love to be there now. I spent time in Norridgewock as a kid. I am short but I played basketball and we played against them. 🙂 so nice to hear from you!
I don’t know if anyone’s still monitoring this page, but I LOVE black licorice ice cream and it’s difficult to find. The last time I had it was a great little local ice cream shop in the old downtown in Omaha, Nebraska. I did a search and came across this page.
I’m trying to figure out whether the licorice “candy” is a hard candy or the usual soft licorice candy found in stores?
I can’t wait to try this — yum.
It’s the soft candy licorice.
Hello!
As a very young child, I loved licorice ice cream. I’m quite sure I was the only 4-year-old asking for it at a local ice cream store in Duluth, MN. Then I moved along, as kids do, but as an adult I always choose it, still, if it’s available (which it never is).
I’m so grateful now to find this recipe so I can make it on my own. And not to need black licorice on hand is the winner in my world: I can just use LorAnn oil and make it easy-peasy.
This turned out really nice and custardy, didn’t turn my tongue black because I didn’t put any color in it, and I could control how strong the flavor is. I will make this again and again.
Thank you -this is such a winner!
Is there a particular brand of licorice you recommend? I have a similar recipe that calls for Callard & Bowser, but that brand has been discontinued. Have you tried it with Walkers?
I haven’t. I made it with a licorice from New South Wales and they’re out of business. Any soft licorice in fat rope style will do.
I haven’t. I made it with a licorice from New South Wales and they’re out of business. Any soft licorice in fat rope style will do.