Butter Pecan Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

Ice Cream Base:

• 6 large egg yolks

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 cups heavy cream

• 2 cups whole milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pecans:

• 1 cup pecans

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

• Pinch salt

1. Whisk egg yolks:

   In a medium sized heat-safe bowl (metal, ceramic, or glass), whisk together the egg yolks until well blended. Set aside.

2. Set cream in bowl over ice, with a sieve on top:

   Pour the cream into a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and set a medium-mesh sieve on top. Set aside.

   

3. Brown the butter, add brown sugar and salt:

   In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan on medium heat, melt the butter cook it, stirring constantly, until it just begins to brown.

   Add the brown sugar and salt. Stir until the sugar completely melts.

   

   

   

4. Add milk slowly, dissolve sugar:

   Slowly add the milk, stirring to incorporate. It will foam up initially, so make sure you are using a pan with high enough sides. Heat until all of the sugar is completely dissolved. Do not let boil or the mixture may curdle.

   

   

5. Temper the eggs:

   Whisk in hand, slowly pour half of the milk and sugar mixture into the eggs, whisking constantly to incorporate.

   Then add the warmed egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk sugar mixture.

6. Stir until custard base thickens:

   Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a wooden or heatproof rubber spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula, about 5-7 minutes.

   

7. Pour the custard through the sieve and stir it into the cream:

   Add vanilla and stir until cool over the ice bath.

   

8. Chill mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator.

9. Preheat the oven to 350°F and toast the pecans:

   While the mixture is chilling, preheat the oven to 350°F. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Toss with pecans and a pinch of salt.

   Spread pecans out on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, until the pecans are lightly toasted. Set aside to cool.

   Once cool, roughly chop the pecans and set aside.

   

10. Churn in your ice cream maker:

    Once the ice cream mixture is thoroughly chilled, churn in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

    

11. Fold in chopped toasted pecans:

    Once the ice cream has been formed in the ice cream maker, it will be fairly soft. Fold in the chopped pecans.

    

12. Freeze:

    Put in an airtight plastic container and place in the freezer for at least an hour, preferably several hours.

    If it has been frozen for more than a day, you may need to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften it before serving.

    

    

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.