Butter Pecan Ice Cream
46 comments » 
I’m continuing my celebration of National Ice Cream Month with a flavor that most would consider a classic and is found on the menu of just about every ice cream stand in towns both large and small. Butter Pecan was never a flavor I chose over other classics such as vanilla, chocolate, or cookies and cream, but it has always been a big favorite in my family – my mom and grandma both do back flips for great butter pecan ice cream. When thinking about what new flavor I could churn up for this week’s ice cream recipe, my Chief Culinary Consultant gave me some great ideas, including butter pecan. Smooth and creamy, the flavor reminiscent of melted toffee and just when you think it might be too sweet you get the contrasting crunch of toasted pecans. Perfection.
Perhaps because I have been under the weather this week and in the throes of a fever, after the ice cream was done churning, I licked the dasher and immediately thought, “This would make a fabulous ice cream float… with bourbon.” WHAT? Where did that come from?? I’m not a big drinker and I don’t know that I’ve ever even HAD bourbon. I definitely think it was the fever talking. But you know – butter, pecans, Southern flavors – for some reason bourbon just popped into my head. So I give to you the Butter Pecan Bourbon Float. No, I didn’t eat all of this, but I did try it and wow – the flavors are incredible together. This would be great for some grown-up parties. After all, who doesn’t love a good ice cream float?
I have entered this ice cream in the Ice Cream Social Challenge being hosted by ScottySnacks, SavortheThyme and Tangled Noodle. If you’ve made ice cream this month head on over and take part in the social to celebrate National Ice Cream Month!
Don’t forget! If you’re dying to make homemade ice cream and cursing yourself for not having an ice cream maker, head straight to this tutorial on how to make homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker!
Celebrate summer with more ice cream:
Tin Roof Ice Cream
Chocolate Ice Cream
Classic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
One year ago: Beef Wellington
Two years ago: Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins
Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Yield: 1 quart
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup packed light brown sugar
½ cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chopped toasted pecansDirections:
1. Combine the brown sugar, water and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil the syrup for 2 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, beat the eggs together in a medium bowl. Slowly beat in the syrup.
3. Cook in a double boiler over, not in, boiling water, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 175°F and coats the back of a spoon. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Add the unsalted butter and stir until melted. Strain into a medium bowl and refrigerate until cold.
4. Add the whole milk and vanilla extract and mix well to combine.
5. Beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Fold it into the egg mixture.
6. Pour into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Fold in the chopped pecans before transferring ice cram to a container.
(Adapted from Joy of Cooking)
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OOOO that looks so good! I love ice cream, I have a scoop for dessert almost everyday! I can’t wait till one day I can get an ice cream maker…
Sorry your under the weather, take meds and eat chicken soup! But make your boyfriend make it for you, you need to rest lol.
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My mom’s favorite ice cream flavor!! And I love it too
Wishing you a quick, full recovery!!
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Oh my, we love this one. We will do it this weekend for a fun dessert the kids can work on. We will save the Bourbon for the Juleps. great idea, thanks, s
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Ooooh, this looks amazing! My mom loves butter pecan. I love the ice cream float you made
Hope you feel better soon!
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Butter pecan is one of the top 5 favorite flavors. Oh so good.
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Need to make this one soon. Butter pecan is one of my favorites. And I love the bourbon idea!
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This is one of my fav kinds of ice cream, and now I have a recipe
Looks SO good, thanks greatly!!!
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Wish I had a bowl right about NOW!
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I always used to make fun of my best friend for ordering butter pecan ice cream every time we went to Baskin Robbins (we called it the Grandma flavor) but then I fell in love with butter pecan frozen yogurt so I guess I’m a grandma too!
I don’t think I’ve ever had bourbon either, but that looks great!
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I love ice cream and I wish I had my own ice cream maker too!
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I’ve never made homemade ice cream, only eaten it.
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This has always been one of my favorite ice cream flavors! I can’t wait to try this recipe.
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oh, how I love your blog!!! Homemade ice cream is the best, completely spoils you for the store bought junk.
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I’m salivating over the picture. It looks so good! I think I ‘m gonna have to try it so I won’t get my computer all wet. Thanks for sharing.
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I don’t know how you come up with butter pecan ice cream floating in bourbon. But it does sound interesting. Maybe next time you should add bourbon in to the icecream mix.
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all this ice cream and here I am without an ice cream maker. so I’m going to cheat only cuz I really want to try this flavor combo…I’m going to buy butter pecan ice cream and bourbon! LOL
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I never liked butter pecan, but I’m looking at the ingredients and don’t know why. I like pecans. Hmmm maybe I’ll try it homemade. After all, I love homemade vanilla ice cream but not from the store.
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That looks delicious! Beautiful pictures as always!
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Ya killin’ me! I love this flavor. My husband thinks it’s gross. Crazy man! It looks great.
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Butter Pecan Bourbon Float? You. Are. My. Hero. (Wonder what it says that I didn’t have to have a fever to think this sounded positively brilliant?)
I’ve been craving Butter Pecan ice cream lately… I’m definitely giving this a try!
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My favorite flavor!
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Looks delicious, desperate to try it. You can’t get heavy cream where I live, do you know what I could use as an alternative?
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Michelle on December 6th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Hi Sana, There really isn’t a true substitute but you could use whole milk (or anything thicker/creamier that I may not be aware of). If you use whole milk the ice cream just won’t be as thick and creamy, but still delicious nonetheless
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This is the best looking recipe for butter pecan! I am making it as we speak! Oh I can’t wait to try it! Thanks bunches my favorite!
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This is a delicious ice cream. Made it last night in my new ice cream bowl. First attempt at ice cream, fantastic!! Thank you;)
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Thank you for the instructions on how to make this without an ice cream maker. I love butter pecan and can’t wait to try this. Previously, I would have passed this recipe up.
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Michelle, is heavy cream 35% cream? I had read you could use lower fat, it just won’t be as creamy …
Secondly, do you know how long I can freeze this (few weeks…)?
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Michelle on July 11th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Hi Rubya, I actually don’t know what the percentage is in heavy cream; here in the States it is just sold as heavy cream. If that is your typical substitute I would go with it. You could definitely freeze it for weeks or even a month or two.
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Cheryl on September 16th, 2011 at 10:12 am
Rubya, I’m not sure where you’re at, but if you have double cream, my understand is that’s the same as what we call “heavy cream” or “heavy whipping cream”.
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This ice cream was so, so, so, so, so delicious. mmmm
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What if I don’t have a ice cream maker could I just pour it I into a container and freeze?
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Michelle on July 27th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Hi Alphia, Check out my post on how to make ice cream without an ice cream maker: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/06/21/how-to-make-homemade-ice-cream-without-an-ice-cream-maker/
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Tried this one and delicious flavor. Strange, though, this recipe only called for two cups of liquid where the other recipes I have tried…chocolate, strawberry, mint chip(ALL INSANELY DELICIOUS BY THE WAY!) called for three cups of liquid. After processing in my ice cream maker, didn’t thicken up at all like the others. Was this a typo? Should therenhavembeen 2 cups of heavy cream? Butter pecan is a favorite! Thank you!
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