🍦 Homemade Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Instructions:

1. Toast the pecans:

  • In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  • Add pecans and toast for 3–4 minutes until fragrant. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
  • Remove from heat and cool.

2. Make the custard base:

  • In a saucepan, heat milk + half the cream + sugar until warm (don’t boil).
  • In a bowl, whisk egg yolks. Slowly pour warm milk mixture into yolks while whisking (to temper).
  • Return to saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring, until mixture thickens slightly (coats the back of a spoon).
  • Remove from heat. Stir in remaining cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.

3. Chill & churn:

  • Let mixture cool, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • Pour into an ice cream maker, churn until creamy.
  • In the last few minutes, fold in the buttered pecans.
  • Transfer to a container and freeze 2–4 hours until firm.

👉 No Ice Cream Maker Version:

  1. After step 2, chill custard base fully.
  2. Whip 1 extra cup of cream until soft peaks form.
  3. Fold whipped cream into chilled custard.
  4. Stir in pecans, pour into container, freeze 6 hours (stir once or twice if possible).

Serving ideas:

  • Scoop into waffle cones or bowls 🍨
  • Drizzle with caramel or maple syrup for extra decadence 🥄
  • Sandwich between two cookies for a butter pecan ice cream sandwich 😍

Would you like me to also give you a quick 3-ingredient shortcut version (no eggs, no custard) for when you want ice cream fast?

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