Hokey pokey ice cream is a beloved New Zealand treat that has captured the hearts and taste buds of dessert lovers around the world. Its creamy vanilla base combined with golden nuggets of honeycomb toffee makes it both comforting and uniquely exciting. While the name might sound playful or even puzzling to some, hokey pokey ice cream has a deep-rooted identity in Kiwi culture and has grown to become a symbol of sweet indulgence. Understanding what makes this ice cream so special involves exploring its origins, ingredients, how it’s made, and the best ways to enjoy it.
What is Hokey Pokey Ice Cream?
Simple Ingredients, Memorable Flavor
At its core, hokey pokey ice cream consists of two main elements: creamy vanilla ice cream and small, crunchy chunks of honeycomb toffee. The honeycomb toffee is made by heating sugar and golden syrup before adding baking soda, which causes the mixture to foam up and form a bubbly, brittle texture. Once cooled and broken into bits, it’s mixed into the ice cream to create the classic hokey pokey experience.
The Sweet Science Behind the Toffee
The magic of hokey pokey lies in the texture contrast. The honeycomb toffee is light, crunchy, and slightly sticky, which plays perfectly against the smooth and rich texture of vanilla ice cream. The toffee also has a mild caramelized flavor that adds complexity to the sweetness, making each bite more than just sugary it’s layered and interesting.
Origins of Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
A New Zealand Icon
Hokey pokey ice cream was first introduced commercially in New Zealand in the 1950s. Since then, it has become one of the country’s most popular ice cream flavors, second only to classic vanilla. The term ‘hokey pokey’ has been used in New Zealand and the UK to refer to honeycomb toffee, and it likely comes from older slang related to street vendors selling sweets.
Global Spread
While originally a New Zealand specialty, hokey pokey ice cream has found fans around the globe, particularly in Australia and the United Kingdom. It’s not as common in North America or Asia, but adventurous ice cream lovers and small artisanal ice cream shops have started to experiment with the flavor, contributing to its growing popularity outside New Zealand.
Making Hokey Pokey Ice Cream at Home
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make homemade hokey pokey ice cream, you’ll need ingredients for both the ice cream base and the honeycomb toffee:
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Sugar
- Egg yolks (optional for a custard base)
- Vanilla extract
- Sugar (again, for the toffee)
- Golden syrup or corn syrup
- Baking soda
Steps to Create the Magic
Start by preparing the vanilla ice cream base. You can make a custard-based ice cream by heating milk, cream, and sugar, then tempering in egg yolks and cooking the mixture until it thickens. Add vanilla extract and chill the mixture thoroughly before churning in an ice cream maker.
While the ice cream is churning, make the hokey pokey toffee. Heat sugar and golden syrup in a saucepan until melted and amber-colored. Quickly stir in the baking soda, which will cause the mixture to foam up. Pour it onto a lined baking sheet and let it cool completely before breaking it into small pieces.
Once the ice cream is churned, gently fold in the toffee bits before freezing it until firm. This gives the final product the ideal balance of smoothness and crunch.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Best Ways to Enjoy Hokey Pokey
While hokey pokey ice cream is delicious on its own, there are several ways to elevate your dessert:
- Serve it in a waffle cone for added texture.
- Top it with warm caramel or butterscotch sauce.
- Pair it with a slice of chocolate cake or brownies for contrast.
- Use it in an ice cream sandwich with buttery cookies.
- Create a hokey pokey milkshake by blending it with a splash of milk.
Perfect Occasions
This flavor is perfect for summer picnics, birthday parties, or as a nostalgic treat for those familiar with New Zealand’s dessert culture. It’s also a fun conversation starter for gatherings and food events, especially when served to guests who have never tried it before.
Where to Find Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
In New Zealand
If you’re traveling in New Zealand, nearly every ice cream shop or grocery store will carry hokey pokey. Brands like Tip Top have made it a national favorite, and it’s often available in both scooped and pre-packaged forms.
Outside New Zealand
In other parts of the world, it may take a bit more effort to find. Specialty dessert shops, international grocery stores, and artisanal ice cream parlors are good places to start. If you can’t find it, making it at home is a fun and rewarding alternative.
Health and Nutrition Information
A Sweet Treat to Enjoy in Moderation
Like most ice cream flavors, hokey pokey is a treat best enjoyed in moderation. It’s high in sugar and fat, especially with the addition of the honeycomb toffee. That said, it’s perfectly fine to indulge every now and then, especially when balanced with a healthy diet overall.
Making It Slightly Healthier
If you’re concerned about calories or dietary restrictions, you can experiment with lower-fat dairy options, sugar alternatives, or smaller portion sizes. Some people also make vegan versions using coconut milk or almond milk as a base, which can be both delicious and suitable for plant-based diets.
Fun Facts and Trivia
- Hokey pokey ice cream has been around for more than 70 years in New Zealand.
- Hokey pokey also refers to a children’s dance in some countries, but the name in this context is unrelated.
- The honeycomb toffee used in hokey pokey is similar to cinder toffee in the UK or sponge candy in the U.S.
- Some gourmet versions of hokey pokey ice cream include swirls of caramel or chocolate.
Hokey pokey ice cream is more than just a frozen dessert it’s a celebration of texture, flavor, and tradition. With its creamy vanilla base and signature crunchy toffee pieces, it continues to delight both locals in New Zealand and dessert enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you’re trying it for the first time or reliving sweet childhood memories, hokey pokey ice cream delivers a unique and satisfying experience that’s hard to forget. From homemade batches to store-bought tubs, it’s a flavor that deserves a place in every ice cream lover’s freezer.