A few weeks ago, we saw that Haagen-Dazs new flavor was to be Sticky Toffee Pudding, which bested the Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle and Cannoli flavors. While the Toffee seemed to have its fans among our commenters, most people seemed to be pulling for the Coconut or Cannoli ice creams. Thanks to Jim Caccamo, an ice cream lover from Kansas City, you can try your hand at making cannoli ice cream at home. He has concocted a recipe that captures the flavor of the Italian treat as perfectly as possible, with a blend of ricotta, chocolate chips, pistachios and some candied fruit added to an egg-rich ice cream base.

If you don't have the equipment to make good ice cream at home, Jim has submitted the ice cream to a Ben & Jerry's recipe contest, so even though Haagen-Dazs missed their chance at the flavor, we could still see it on store shelves in the future.

Cosmic Cannoli Ice Cream
(recipe by Jim Caccamo)

2 cups plus 2 tbsp half-and-half, divided
6 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Zest of 1 lemon
1 pound (about 2 cups) fresh ricotta cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup candied fruit (or dried fruit), in 1/4 -inch dice
1/3 cup pistachio nuts, coarsely chopped
Cannoli pieces (for garnish)

Bring 2 cups half-and-half just to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat.

In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon and lemon zest. Slowly, pour the hot half-and-half into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat. Stir slowly and continuously with a wooden spoon until the custard thickens, about 5 minutes. (The custard will hold a path on the back of the spoon when a finger is drawn across it when it is thick enough). Do not boil. Pour the custard through a medium-mesh sieve set over a bowl.

Place ricotta and vanilla in bowl of a food processor. Pulse to mix. Add up to 2 tablespoons half-and-half, as needed, and pulse until the mixture is smooth. Add ricotta mixture to the custard and whisk together. Cover and refrigerate mixture until cold (at least 1 hour).

Transfer the cold mixture to an ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Add chocolate chips, fruit and nuts during the last minute. Transfer ice cream to a container; cover and freeze until firm before serving.

Serve in a waffle cone (because it's more like a cannoli shell than a bowl!)

Makes 1 1/2 quarts