Description
Creamy and indulgent, this spring-inspired butter pecan ice cream features a luscious swirl of caramelized roasted peaches. The rich nuttiness of buttered pecans perfectly complements the soft, sweet bite of stone fruit—making it an ideal dessert for warm, breezy days.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Ice Cream Base
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 5 large egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- For the Buttered Pecans
- 3/4 cup pecan halves
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Pinch of salt
- For the Roasted Peaches
- 2 ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Roast the Peaches:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss sliced peaches with brown sugar, honey, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes until caramelized and tender. Cool, then mash lightly or puree if desired.
- Prepare the Buttered Pecans:
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add pecans and toast, stirring frequently for 3–5 minutes until fragrant. Sprinkle with salt and set aside to cool. Chop coarsely.
- Make the Ice Cream Base:
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant. Add cream and milk; heat until just steaming. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, brown sugar, and salt. Gradually pour the hot cream mixture into the yolks to temper, then return to saucepan and cook over low heat until thick enough to coat a spoon. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and strain into a bowl. Chill thoroughly (at least 4 hours or overnight).
- Churn the Ice Cream:
- Pour chilled custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions. In the last few minutes, add buttered pecans.
- Assemble and Freeze:
- Layer churned ice cream in a container with roasted peaches, swirling gently. Freeze for 4+ hours until set.
Notes
- Roasting the peaches enhances their natural sweetness and adds depth.
- Brown butter in the custard base elevates the nutty flavor of the pecans.
- You can puree the peaches for a smoother swirl or leave them chunky for texture.
Nutrition
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
