Description
Creamy homemade butter pecan ice cream delivers pure Southern comfort with rich, toasted pecans dancing through smooth, velvety cream. Rich vanilla notes and caramelized nut crunch make this classic dessert a sweet celebration of indulgent summer memories you’ll savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy and Base Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter
Sweeteners:
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) sugar
- 1/2 cup (110 grams) brown sugar
Flavor and Nuts:
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) roasted pecans
Instructions
- Caramelize the butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, stirring frequently. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
- Whisk together heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until the sugar fully incorporates and the mixture becomes smooth.
- Gently fold the cooled butter-brown sugar mixture into the cream base, ensuring thorough integration of flavors and creating a uniform consistency.
- Incorporate the roasted pecans into the ice cream base, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture to guarantee a balanced nutty flavor in every bite.
- Transfer the combined mixture into an ice cream machine and churn at 25°F for approximately 20-25 minutes, monitoring until the texture reaches a soft, creamy consistency.
- Carefully pour the churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container, smoothing the surface with a spatula to eliminate air pockets and create an even texture.
- Freeze the ice cream for 4-6 hours or overnight until it becomes firm and scoopable, allowing the flavors to fully develop and intensify.
- Remove from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly, then scoop and garnish with additional roasted pecans if desired.
Notes
- Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Use high-quality unsalted butter for a richer, more authentic butter pecan experience.
- Consider adding a pinch of sea salt to balance the sweetness and bring out the caramel notes in the brown sugar.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut cream and almond milk, keeping the same creamy texture and indulgent flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 482 kcal
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 74 mg
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg