Dastardly Mash Ice Cream (Ben and Jerry's)

This is a chunky, death-by-chocolate, incredibly rich ice cream lover's dream. As incredible as it is as written, next time I think I might try some rum flavoring to take it to the next level. With or without, however, this ice cream is truly one of the best.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 6-8
• Yields: 1 qt

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup raisins
• 1  cup water
• 1⁄2 cup pecan halves
• 1⁄2 cup  roasted almonds, salted, whole
• 1⁄2 cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2  ounces  unsweetened chocolate
• 1⁄3 cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 1  cup sugar
• 2  large eggs
• 1  cup heavy cream or 1  cup  whipping cream
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Soak the raisins in 1 cup water overnight in the refrigerator.
2. The next day, drain the raisins well and combine them with the pecans, almonds and chocolate chips in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
3. Melt the unsweetened chocolate in the top of a double boiler over hot, not boiling, water. Gradually whisk in the cocoa and heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. (If the chocolate clumps or "seizes", don't worry - the milk will dissolve it). Whisk in the milk, a little at a time, and heat until blended. Remove from the heat and let cool.
4. Whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the sugar, a little at a time, then continue whisking until completely blended, about 1 minute more. Pour in the cream and vanilla, and whisk to blend. Pour the chocolate mixture into the cream mixture and blend. Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 1 to 3 hours, depending on your refrigerator.
5. Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and freeze following the manufacturer's directions. After the ice cream stiffens (about 2 minutes before it is done), add the raisin mixture, then continue freezing until done. Bask in the decadence!