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?
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.
This was SO good. I mean really, really good. I was somewhat skeptical because it was different than I how I usually make custard-based ice cream, but don’t let that keep you from trying it. The texture was so rich and creamy, and the flavor was spot on. This is definitely a keeper!
I made this as a birthday gift for a friend and it was AMAZING! I was a little hesitant because the process was different from my usual ice cream recipe (you use whole eggs, whereas before I’d only ever used egg yolks, and I’d never whipped the heavy cream before mixing it in before) – but it all created the most wonderfully smooth and absolutely delicious ice cream ever! Thank you so much for sharing. I’ll definitely be making this one again.
Wanted something different from vanilla to go with apple pie. Never had butter pecan before because as a child I somehow thought the name was gross… who would want butter in their ice cream?? Lol. But once I heard the word “toffee” associated with this one I was willing to throw aside that childhood judgement. Glad I did. It is SUPER delish!! Had an issue with the toffee mixture forming a thick skin when refridgerated… was i suppose to cover the surface with saran (?). After some earnest stirring I got it back to an acceptable consistency. The end result scooped onto a streudel topped apple pie was heavenly. Hubby isnt a fan of nuts in desserts but loves this. Great recipe. Might sneak in a splash of rum next time too ;)
You are my go too for ice cream recipes and ideas. I deglazed the brown sugar syrup pan with rum and then added it to the egg mixture. It gave the ice cream a lovely buttered rum flavor. Thanks!
I made this recipe according to the directions and accidentally over-whipped the whipped cream. The texture was a little off (almost grainy, even though I strained it before putting in my ice cream maker) but the flavor was still fantastic! Overall, great recipe.
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!
I totally agree with Noreen about 2 cups of cream. While I was churning it in my Kitchenaid Ice Cream Attachment, it would not thicken up, just stayed really liquidy. I added a cup of cream while churning and sure enough, it turned out perfect.
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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.
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”.
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.
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 :)
My batch turned out a little bit too icy. Do you have any tips to prevent that? I am thinking I didn’t churn it long enough in the kitchenaid ice cream attachment. How long do you recommend? I want to retry it to see if I can get it creamier but I want to make sure I do it right!
Hi Meghan, I usually go by the KitchenAid ice cream attachment manual, which states to listen for a “clicking” sound to indicate that the ice cream is done churning. That’s what I always do and depending on how much custard there is and how thick it is, the time can vary… sometimes up to 30 minutes.
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.
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
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.
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!
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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This was SO good. I mean really, really good. I was somewhat skeptical because it was different than I how I usually make custard-based ice cream, but don’t let that keep you from trying it. The texture was so rich and creamy, and the flavor was spot on. This is definitely a keeper!
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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.
I made this as a birthday gift for a friend and it was AMAZING! I was a little hesitant because the process was different from my usual ice cream recipe (you use whole eggs, whereas before I’d only ever used egg yolks, and I’d never whipped the heavy cream before mixing it in before) – but it all created the most wonderfully smooth and absolutely delicious ice cream ever! Thank you so much for sharing. I’ll definitely be making this one again.
This is a delicious recipe. It’s a keeper. Thank you
Might sneak in a splash of rum next time too
This is the first ice cream recipe I’ve seen that uses the egg whites. Is that a typo in the recipe?
Hi Leo, No, not a typo!
This is the first ice cream recipe I’ve seen that uses the egg whites. Is that a typo in the recipe?
Hi Brahm, Not a typo!
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Wanted something different from vanilla to go with apple pie. Never had butter pecan before because as a child I somehow thought the name was gross… who would want butter in their ice cream?? Lol. But once I heard the word “toffee” associated with this one I was willing to throw aside that childhood judgement. Glad I did. It is SUPER delish!! Had an issue with the toffee mixture forming a thick skin when refridgerated… was i suppose to cover the surface with saran (?). After some earnest stirring I got it back to an acceptable consistency. The end result scooped onto a streudel topped apple pie was heavenly. Hubby isnt a fan of nuts in desserts but loves this. Great recipe. Might sneak in a splash of rum next time too ;)
You are my go too for ice cream recipes and ideas. I deglazed the brown sugar syrup pan with rum and then added it to the egg mixture. It gave the ice cream a lovely buttered rum flavor. Thanks!
This is a delicious recipe. It’s a keeper. Thank you
I made this recipe according to the directions and accidentally over-whipped the whipped cream. The texture was a little off (almost grainy, even though I strained it before putting in my ice cream maker) but the flavor was still fantastic! Overall, great recipe.
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I made my first ever Ice-cream last night and I picked this one – it was amazing and I loved it, thank you so much for sharing the recipe! :)
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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!
I totally agree with Noreen about 2 cups of cream. While I was churning it in my Kitchenaid Ice Cream Attachment, it would not thicken up, just stayed really liquidy. I added a cup of cream while churning and sure enough, it turned out perfect.
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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?
Hi Alphia, Check out my post on how to make ice cream without an ice cream maker: https://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/06/21/how-to-make-homemade-ice-cream-without-an-ice-cream-maker/
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This ice cream was so, so, so, so, so delicious. mmmm
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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…)?
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.
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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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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This is a delicious ice cream. Made it last night in my new ice cream bowl. First attempt at ice cream, fantastic!! Thank you;)
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!
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?
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 :)
My batch turned out a little bit too icy. Do you have any tips to prevent that? I am thinking I didn’t churn it long enough in the kitchenaid ice cream attachment. How long do you recommend? I want to retry it to see if I can get it creamier but I want to make sure I do it right!
Thank you!
Hi Meghan, I usually go by the KitchenAid ice cream attachment manual, which states to listen for a “clicking” sound to indicate that the ice cream is done churning. That’s what I always do and depending on how much custard there is and how thick it is, the time can vary… sometimes up to 30 minutes.
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My favorite flavor!
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!
Ya killin’ me! I love this flavor. My husband thinks it’s gross. Crazy man! It looks great.
That looks delicious! Beautiful pictures as always!
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.
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
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.
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.
oh, how I love your blog!!! Homemade ice cream is the best, completely spoils you for the store bought junk.
This has always been one of my favorite ice cream flavors! I can’t wait to try this recipe.
I’ve never made homemade ice cream, only eaten it.
I love ice cream and I wish I had my own ice cream maker too!
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!
Wish I had a bowl right about NOW!
This is one of my fav kinds of ice cream, and now I have a recipe :) Looks SO good, thanks greatly!!!
Need to make this one soon. Butter pecan is one of my favorites. And I love the bourbon idea!
Butter pecan is one of the top 5 favorite flavors. Oh so good.
Ooooh, this looks amazing! My mom loves butter pecan. I love the ice cream float you made :) Hope you feel better soon!
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
My mom’s favorite ice cream flavor!! And I love it too :-)
Wishing you a quick, full recovery!!
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.