Ice Cream Dragon Eggs Inspired by Game of Thrones
The Starving Chef is supported by Hungry People like you. When you make a purchase through an affiliate link on my site, I may earn a little bit of cash on the side (at no extra cost to you) to help keep my kitchen running. Read our disclosures here.
“No one will take my dragons.”
– Daenerys Targaryen
What’s Up, Hungry People
Ever wondered what it’s like to hold the power of Daenerys Targaryen, Mother of Dragons, in your very own kitchen? Well, Hungry People, today’s your lucky day. We’re diving into the heart of Westeros with a Game of Thrones inspired treat that’s bound to get you closer to the Iron Throne, one bite at a time.
Dragons might rule the skies in George R.R. Martin’s epic saga, but here, we’re bringing them into our realm in the coolest way possible – through ice cream dragon eggs. Before we go any further, beware, this post might contain mild spoilers if you’re not up to date with Game of Thrones.
The magic of Daenerys’s dragon eggs is legendary, surviving centuries and symbolizing true power. In one of the series’ pivotal moments, through a mix of loss, sacrifice, and blood magic, Daenerys brings dragons back into the world, marking her rise as the Unburnt, the Mother of Dragons.
However, our dragon eggs stray from the path of fire and venture into the realm of ice. No need for blood magic here; we’re making our dragon eggs accessible to all, no witchcraft required. Wrapped in a shell of crystallized sugar scales and filled with your ice cream of choice, these dragon eggs are a fantasy turned delicious reality.
Crafted without fire, these eggs rely on the cold to keep their secret. And when you’re ready to unveil the mystery, slicing one open reveals not only the ice cream treasure within but also turns the shell into a unique, edible bowl.
Here’s What You Need
- Candy melts: Used to create the outer shell of the dragon eggs, providing a smooth, customizable finish.
- Fondant: Enables the crafting of colorful, edible scales to decorate the dragon eggs.
- Ice cream: Fills the center of the dragon eggs, adding a delicious, creamy core.
- Latex-free party balloons: Serve as the mold for the dragon egg shells, shaping the candy coating.
Let’s Cook
First up, grab those latex-free party balloons. Inflate them just a quarter of the way to get that egg shape we’re after. Make sure not to overdo it; we don’t want any popping incidents. Once they’re inflated, tie or tape the balloon ends to something like a skewer—anything that’ll let them hang out in the freezer without touching each other.
Melting Your Candy
Next, it’s time for the candy melts. Pop them in the microwave, zapping them in 30-second intervals. Stir in between until you’ve got a smooth consistency. Give it a minute to cool down just a tad after melting. If it’s too hot, you might end up with a balloon pop rather than a dragon egg.
Coating the Balloons
Now, the fun part. Take a balloon by the tied end and spoon over your melted candy. You’ll want to cover it nicely but leave a bit near the tie uncovered—that’s your escape route for the balloon later. Shake off any extra drips to get a nice even shell.
Freezing Time
Once they’re all coated, into the freezer they go. Hang them up for about an hour until that candy shell has set solid. After the wait, carefully pop the balloons and use tweezers to pull them out from your now solid candy egg shells. Keep these frozen till the next step.
Fondant Scales
While those shells are chilling, let’s tackle the fondant. Mix your colors to get the shades you want. Roll it out thin and start cutting out scale shapes. A flower cookie cutter works, but you might need to trim to get that perfect dragon scale look.
Attaching the Scales
Take a few more candy melts and melt them down—this will be your glue for the scales. Working on one egg at a time (keep the others cold), start at the bottom with the larger scales and work your way up, attaching each scale with a dab of melted candy. Remember to leave a spot at the bottom open; that’s where the ice cream will go.
Filling With Ice Cream
By now, your ice cream should be just soft enough to work with. Scoop it into a gallon baggie or a piping bag, and fill up each egg shell through the bottom opening you left. Aim for about a pint of ice cream per egg. Back into the freezer they go until everything’s firm.
Serving Your Dragon Eggs
When it’s time to serve, get a knife hot and carefully slice each egg in half vertically. This turns your dragon egg into two neat bowls of ice cream. Serve them up right away—no waiting, or you’ll have a melty mess on your hands.
Crafting the Perfect Ice Cream Dragon Egg
- Choosing the Right Balloons: Ensure the balloons are thick-skinned and latex-free to prevent popping during the candy coating process. Water balloons are too thin and should be avoided.
- Melting Candy Melts Properly: Heat the candy melts in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between each interval to ensure a smooth, evenly melted coating. If the candy is too hot, it can cause the balloons to burst.
- Working with Fondant: Fondant dries out quickly, so work fast when rolling and cutting your scales. If the fondant becomes too hard to work with, kneading it slightly can help restore its pliability.
- Attaching the Scales: Apply the scales starting from the bottom up, overlapping them slightly to achieve a natural, dragon-scale look. Use melted candy melts as ‘glue’ to attach each scale securely.
- Filling with Ice Cream: Allow the ice cream to soften slightly before scooping it into the shells. This makes it easier to work with and ensures a smooth fill. Use a piping bag or a plastic bag with a corner cut off for more precision.
- Slicing the Eggs: Use a hot knife to slice the eggs open. This melts through the candy shell smoothly, creating clean cuts without cracking the shell.
- Freezing Stages: Freeze the candy-coated balloons thoroughly before adding scales or filling with ice cream to ensure the shell doesn’t collapse or melt.
- Serving Immediately: Once cut open and filled, the ice cream will begin to melt quickly. Have your guests ready to enjoy these edible dragon eggs as soon as they’re prepared.
“When my dragons are grown, we will take back what was stolen from me and destroy those who wronged me! We will lay waste to armies and burn cities to the ground!”
– Daenerys Targaryen
With your ice cream dragon eggs now ready to serve, you’ve successfully combined a bit of Westerosi magic with real-world culinary craft. Each step, from crafting the candy shell to filling it with your favorite ice cream flavor, has been about bringing a piece of the Game of Thrones saga into our kitchens and, eventually, to our taste buds. These eggs are a testament to the creativity and fun that cooking can offer, especially when inspired by the fantastical.
Whether you’re serving them at a themed party or just looking to treat yourself, these dragon eggs are a sure way to add a bit of fantasy flair to your dessert lineup. So, Hungry People, grab your spoons and let’s enjoy a taste of Westeros.
Ice Cream Dragon Eggs | Game of Thrones Inspired Recipes
Equipment
- freezer space
Ingredients
- 3 cups candy melts
- 1 package fondant colors: red, black, blue, purple, etc
- 3 pints ice cream flavors of choice
- 3 latex-free party balloons NOT water balloons
Instructions
- Inflate the balloons about a quarter of the way to form egg shapes. DO NOT inflate the balloons entirely to avoid popping. Use only thick-skinned, latex-free party balloons, not thin-skinned balloons like water balloons, as they will pop. Secure the balloon ties to a skewer or a similar object to hang the balloons in the freezer, ensuring there's enough space for the number of balloons you plan to create.
- Microwave the candy melts in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes to prevent the balloons from popping upon contact. Holding the balloon by the tie, use a spoon to pour the melted candy over it, covering the balloon completely while leaving space near the tie open for popping and removal later. Shake off any excess melted candy to form a solid coating around the balloon.
- Place the candy-coated balloons in the freezer for an hour to solidify the candy shell. Carefully pop the balloons and gently remove them from the candy shell with tweezers, keeping the shells frozen.
- Combine the fondant colors as desired. The example uses a mix of red, purple, and black to achieve a specific look. On a clean surface, roll out the fondant thinly, working quickly to prevent it from drying out.
- Use the tip of a spoon or a flower-shaped cookie cutter to cut out individual scales. If using a flower cookie cutter, modify the shapes into scales as needed.
- Melt a few additional candy melts, and use a toothpick to apply a dab of melted candy to each scale. Attach the scales to one egg at a time, starting with larger scales at the bottom and progressing to smaller scales towards the top, ensuring the eggs remain frozen during this process. Leave an opening at the bottom of the egg for ice cream insertion later. Return the scale-covered eggs to the freezer and chill until the fondant hardens, approximately an hour.
- While the fondant sets, allow the ice cream pints to soften. Once the shells are ready, scoop the softened ice cream into a gallon-sized baggie or a piping bag. Fill each shell with ice cream until it's about a pint per egg. Freeze until the ice cream solidifies.
- To serve, slice the egg in half vertically with a hot knife to create edible candy "bowls". Serve immediately and enjoy with your Unsullied guests.
