Contest-Winning Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Name: Contest-Winning Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 1 quart.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped pecans; 1 tablespoon butter; 1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

This rich buttery ice cream sure beats store-bought versions. And with its pretty color and plentiful pecan crunch, it's nice enough to serve guests at a summer party. -Jenny White Glen, Mississippi

Ingredients

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon butter
1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a small skillet, toast pecans in butter for 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.
In a heavy saucepan, heat half-and-half to 175°; stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. Whisk a small amount of hot cream mixture into the eggs; return all to the pan, whisking constantly. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture reaches at least 160° and coats the back of a metal spoon.
Remove from the heat. Cool quickly by placing pan in a bowl of ice water; stir for 2 minutes. Stir in whipping cream and vanilla. Press plastic wrap onto the surface of custard. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Stir in toasted pecans.
Fill cylinder of ice cream freezer; freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Allow to ripen in ice cream freezer or firm up in the refrigerator freezer for 2-4 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts

1/2 cup: 298 calories, 18g fat (8g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 69mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

Originally published as Butter Pecan Ice Cream in Taste of Home June/July 2004

Reviews

My Review

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Average Rating:

Vanessa

Apr 22, 2018

Delish !!!! BUT YES HALF THE BROWN SUGAR IF YOU MEASURE IT PROPERLY BY "PACKING" IT!!!!!! AND YES - CANDY THE PECANS BEFORE HAND... DON'T JUST ROAST THEM! WOW IT IS SO MUCH BETTER THIS WAY!1. Candy the pecans and roast.2. Make custard, strain and place in ice bath then chill for 2 hrs or overnight.3. Make the ice cream according to your ice cream makers directions. Add pecans in last 5 min of process.4. Pack and freeze for 4 hrs - ENJOY!
Roberta

Apr 11, 2018

Best butter pecan ice cream I've ever had.BUT, I followed a reviewers advice about it being too sweet. I cut sugar to a half cup plus a couple tablespoons and even then it's extremely sweet. I'll use exactly one half cup in the future. Other than that it's amazingly delectable, creamy goodness.
cmotsinger

Jul 30, 2016

This was very creamy and tasted really good. I used Splenda brown sugar blend to lower the carb count but same measurements. I didn't realize how little it made until pouring into my ice cream maker, it didn't even fill it 1/4 the way. But in 20mins it was churned and very good. I will double or triple the recipe next time.
naps_brian

Apr 30, 2015

Kick this recipe up a notch by adding best pecans in the world to it. This recipe calls for 2 1/2 c. Pecans.Mix an egg white with 1tbs vanilla, coat pecans evenly. Add 1/2 c. White sugar, 1/2 c. Brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. Salt, 1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon in a ziploc bag and mix together. Next coat Pecans evenly in sugar mixture then spread evenly over a lightly greased pan. Bake for 1 hour at 225 degrees Farenheit, stirring every 15 minutes, and then let cool on pan.You can adjust the recipe accordingly to make it for a 1/2 c. Pecans like this ice cream recipe calls for, but trust me you'll want to make all of them. Add as many or as little you'd like to the recipe, but every spoonful you'll be wanting more.Enjoy
hurensohn

Nov 5, 2014

Too much sugar, almost disgusting so to say. If you take a little more than half of what is here then it's very good. 5 Stars
amsheffner

Jul 17, 2013

This recipe only made 2 cups so how do I fill container 2/3 full. Do I add milk to container then this recipe or do I triple the recipe? Feeling dumb!!!
lea8199

May 20, 2013

This was to die-for.. I am very new at making home made ice creams and the way this came out was as if I've been making ice cream for years. Will be making another batch tonight. I followed the recipe to the t.
shanahas

Oct 1, 2011

Great Recipe! Only change I made is added less of the pecans and chopped them up very finely.
jackie2830

Aug 11, 2011

I liked this....easier than most and the taste is good, though not excellent. I cut the sugar to 3/4 cup and will cut to 1/2 cup next time...way too sweet. I will also add butter extract to give more flavor and possibly more pecans....don't think 1/2 cup is enough. However, it's a good basic recipe to work from. I'm not sure why others would give this 5 stars when they intend on tweaking as well.
Kichler073

Jun 25, 2011

Great ice cream!!!! Very creamy and smooth!