A rich and creamy hokey pokey ice cream recipe with chunks of homemade honeycomb. It’s absolutely delicious!
Known for its kind hospitality, very friendly people, crystal clear blue waters and lush green mountains, New Zealand has been on my travel list for a while.
It’s been on my husband’s because they shot the breathtaking Lord of the Rings Trilogy there! After watching this absolutely gorgeous video, I know I need to see it in person one day soon.
I would love to spend a few days eating, shopping and exploring the metro areas of Auckland and Wellington and then off to the countryside to take it ALL in.
What a beautiful world we live in, right? And not to take away from the vast scenery of New Zealand (because really what compares?!), but I heard of a very popular flavor of ice cream in New Zealand called Hokey Pokey.
Pretty much everything I’ve read and what people have said is that it’s a staple flavor at every ice cream shop in New Zealand and it’s something you MUST try when you’re there.
I am one of those people who search for the local faves when traveling, especially sweets! So in honor of New Zealand and my future vacation there (not booked, but fingers crossed!), I decided to make a homemade Hokey Pokey ice cream recipe and OH MY GOODNESS is it AMAZING! It makes you want to do the Hokey Pokey, turn yourself around and eat more!
Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
The photos don’t even do it justice. It’s a super creamy vanilla-based ice cream that I used from Jeni’s recipe and it’s mixed in with a homemade honeycomb. The honeycomb creates a delicious, rich caramel taste with a light crunchy texture.
When the honeycomb is mixed into the ice cream, some of it melts and creates the most delicious swirl throughout the ice cream. I really can’t tell you all enough how much you need to make this recipe!
I promise you won’t be disappointed! New Zealand, I’m coming for you and your Hokey Pokey.
More Ice Cream Desserts You’ll Love!
Cereal Ice Cream with Lucky Charms
Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Ice Cream
Let us know if you make this recipe by leaving a comment and review below!
Hokey Pokey Honeycomb Recipe
Ingredients
Homemade Honeycomb
- 1 cup caster sugar, super fine sugar
- 1/2 cup golden syrup, find this at Whole Foods or online
- 3 Tbsp baking soda
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and set closely to the range where you’ll be melting the sugar and syrup.
- Place the sugar and the syrup in a medium sauce pan and stir until the mixture melts. It will become thick first, but as it heats it will melt into a gooey syrup. It takes about 5 minutes.
- Once the mixture is bubbling and richer in color, like a dark golden brown add in the baking powder and whisk quickly. Immediately pour the mixture on to the parchment paper while it’s still fluffy.
- Let it sit for about 15 minutes then bash it to pieces! The inside will resemble a honeycomb.
- Make the vanilla ice cream and add the homemade honeycomb to the base about 5 minutes before the ice cream is done in the ice cream maker.
- Leave some thicker ones for an extra crunchy ice cream texture! AND a few to sprinkle over the top.
Louisa says
Just to let you know, hokey pokey ice cream is a New Zealand invention, we’re very proud of it. It’s not an American cuisine.
Colleen says
I made this recipe twice—once with 3Tablespoons of baking soda and once with only one Tablespoon. The ONE Tablespoon is the way to go! With three, the honeycomb wouldn’t harden so I could break it up, and it didn’t taste the best!
Ally says
Where is the recipe for Jeni’s vanilla ice cream?
Eden says
Hi Ally! Sorry about that, the link must have been removed when we migrated the site! I re-attached it in the recipe card and post. It’s really a good vanilla ice cream base!
jenmont@gmail.com says
Is the second ingredient on the ice cream recipe sugar? It says ” 1 tablespoon plus.” I’m buying ingredients to make this (and an ice cream maker. haha). Can’t stop thinking about it. Looks so good!
Eden says
Oh my goodness!! Thank you Jen! I noticed a few mistakes in there and I have know idea what happened!! It’s all fixed now and should be great! As for an ice cream maker, I have this one and love it!! http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/cuisinart-stainless-steel-electric-ice-cream-maker/
Jodi says
Is it baking soda or baking powder for the pokey? It’s listed both ways…
Dianne Barnden says
Hi there
yes New Zealand is the place to be.
Let me know when you do come here, we would love to host you and show you the sights of Wellington.
Dianne
jen says
Your photos just keep getting better. Never thought to make honeycomb myself. Ryan loves it! I think I will order ingredients today to make this. Do you have an ice cream maker recommendation?
Heather says
Yummy! I was so excited when New Zealand Natural ice cream came to Los Angeles several years ago, only to discover that they decided to leave out the chunks of hokey pokey in the American recipe. I don’t know if that’s still true as the downtown location has since closed, but I am happy you posted this recipe!