Today's Case:
Howard Johnson's Mocha Chip Ice Cream
Re: HoJos mocha chip ice cream
From: Diana
To: Phaedrus
Date: 7/11/2025, 8:52 AM
On 7/10/2025 7:06 PM, Diana wrote:
Hi.
I've done everything find the ice cream I loved most. Mocha chip. I want to make it but
no recipe is like Howard Johnsons. Ours closed in 2015...well the restaurant was torn
down, the hotel remains. Can you help me find this recipe? No ice cream has ever matched!
Truly & TY,
Diana
Bangor Maine.
Hi Diana,
I've never tasted HoJo's Mocha Chip ice cream, but I have dined at the Bangor, Maine, Howard Johnson's restaurant. We stopped there a few years ago, before it closed, on our way to Presque Isle. I had the clams.
The actual HoJo's recipe for their Mocha Chip ice cream is not available, but the below recipe is an AI-recommended copycat recipe. I'm afraid this is all that's available.
Phaed
Howard Johnson's Style Mocha Chip Ice Cream
Yields: Approximately 1.5 quarts
Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Chill Time: At least several hours (or overnight)
Churn Time: 25-30 minutes (varies by machine)
Freeze Time: 2 hours to ripen
### Ingredients
* 2 cups heavy cream
* 1 cup whole milk
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process for richer flavor)
* 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder (or strongly brewed and cooled espresso)
* 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup mini chocolate morsels (or chopped bittersweet chocolate for a bolder chip)
* Pinch of salt (optional, for enhancing flavor)
### Instructions
1. **Combine wet ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar,
espresso powder, and cocoa powder until the sugar is dissolved and the powders are
well incorporated.
2. **Add cream and vanilla:** Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract.
3. **Chill thoroughly:** Refrigerate the mixture for at least several hours or overnight until
it's very cold.
4. **Churn the ice cream:** Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker's freezer bowl
and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually takes around 25-30
minutes, {Link: according to Cuisinart: Cuisinart}.
5. **Add chocolate chips:** During the last 5 minutes of churning, add the mini chocolate
morsels or chopped chocolate chips.
6. **Ripen (optional):** For a firmer texture, transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight
container and freeze for at least 2 hours to "ripen".
### Notes
* **For a richer chocolate flavor**, consider using Dutch-process cocoa powder.
* **Adjust sweetness** to your preference by adding slightly more or less sugar.
* **If you don't have an ice cream maker**, pour the chilled mixture into a shallow
freezer-safe container. Freeze for an hour, then stir. Repeat every hour for several
hours, until the desired consistency is reached. Note that this method will result
in a slightly less creamy texture than using an ice cream maker.
This recipe aims to provide a delicious mocha chip ice cream reminiscent of the
classic Howard Johnson's flavor, {Link: which was one of their original 28 flavors: Reddit}.
