Vanilla Ricotta and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones

Ingredients:

12 sugar cones, store-bought

Ingredients for simple syrup:
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar

Ingredients for ice cream:
1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
1 cup whole milk
1 cup simple syrup, recipe follows
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips or flaked, shaved Scharffenberger or Valrhona semisweet chocolate

Ingredients for chocolate hazelnut cone filling:
2/3 cup of Nutella (chocolate-hazelnut spread)
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped Scharffenberg or Valrhona semsisweet chocolate

Optional: chopped hazelnuts for both the cone filling and the ice cream

Preparing the simple syrup:
In a saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Take the pan off the heat and allow the syrup to cool.

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Preparing the ice cream:
In a medium bowl, whisk together ricotta cheese and milk until smooth. Add the simple syrup and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Pour the ricotta mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Add the chocolate chips 10 minutes before the end of freezing.

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Preparing the cones:
Stand 3 sugar cones in each of the 4 glass tumblers. Mix the chocolate-hazelnut spread and chocolate chips together in a small bowl. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the pan does not touch the water. Stir until the chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is smooth. Spoon 2 teaspoons of chocolate mixture into each sugar cone. Place the glasses in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes until the chocolate becomes firm.

To assemble:
Using a 2-ounce ice cream scoop, place 1 scoop of ice cream on top of each sugar cone. Serve immediately.