Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Topped with chopped, candied pecans, this Butter Pecan Ice Cream is a classic ice cream flavor!

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Topped with chopped, candied pecans, this Butter Pecan Ice Cream is a classic ice cream flavor!I can remember it clearly.  It was a round green container of ice cream, and I could always count on finding at least one in the freezer.  Growing up, my Mom always bought Healthy Choice ice cream.  On a side note, I don’t think Healthy Choice makes ice cream anymore.  Put that into the same category with Jello Pudding Pops, Hi-C Ecto Coolers and other childhood favorites that have gone the way of dinosaurs.  (Although I did see that Hi-C brought back Ecto Coolers recently to celebrate the new Ghostbusters movie.  I mean every generation of American kids needs to enjoy a fluorescent green juice drink, right?)

Topped with chopped, candied pecans, this Butter Pecan Ice Cream is a classic ice cream flavor!But back to the ice cream.  If Mom had been to the store recently, then there were usually 2 flavors to pick from.  Sometimes it was Mint Chocolate Chip (my sister’s favorite) or Pralines ‘n Cream.  But my favorite was always Butter Pecan or Cookies ‘n Cream.  If I opened the freezer and found a container of Butter Pecan Ice Cream…well, that was a good day!

Topped with chopped, candied pecans, this Butter Pecan Ice Cream is a classic ice cream flavor!I’d get my bowl of ice cream and sit down to watch Super Mario Brothers cartoons.  If you guys remember the Super Mario cartoons, then you’re a champ.  The show ran for all of about 4 months in 1989.  I mean it’s hard to beat two grown men dressed as Italian plumbers reenacting video game characters.  Mario was played by Lou Albano, a former professional wrestler from the 1950’s and 1960’s.  What?  You don’t remember this show?  Then I’ve linked an episode below.  And for the record, you don’t have to watch the whole thing.  It’s pretty bad.  But man, did I love that show as a kid!

Ok, enough of the Mario talk.  Let’s talk ice cream.  I mean, that’s the real reason you’re here, right?  So do you know how Butter Pecan Ice Cream gets it’s name?  Nope, there is no actual butter in the ice cream.  But there are buttered pecans.  It’s essentially just a standard ice cream base, but you use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.  And then you just whip up some buttered pecans to toss into the ice cream once it’s almost done.  Easy…and delicious!

Topped with chopped, candied pecans, this Butter Pecan Ice Cream is a classic ice cream flavor!Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get a big bowl of Butter Pecan Ice Cream and go relive my childhood years via YouTube.  Cheers!

Topped with chopped, candied pecans, this Butter Pecan Ice Cream is a classic ice cream flavor!

Topped with chopped, candied pecans, this Butter Pecan Ice Cream is a classic ice cream flavor!

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Topped with chopped, candied pecans, this Butter Pecan Ice Cream is a classic ice cream flavor!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Refrigeration Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 9 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 341kcal

Ingredients

For the Ice Cream

For the Buttered Pecans

Instructions

For the Ice Cream

  • Place the milk in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until milk just begins to simmer.
  • While the milk is heating, whisk together the brown sugar and egg yolks in a medium bowl.
  • Gradually pour the heated milk into the egg yolk mixture; whisking vigorously the entire time.
  • Transfer this custard back into the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until custard thickens noticeably and coats a wooden spoon. (~4-6 minutes)
  • Remove custard from heat and add the heavy cream and vanilla extract; stir until well combined.
  • Pour/gently press the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean container. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic directly onto the surface of the mixture, and refrigerate overnight.
  • Pour the ice cream mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions.
  • Meanwhile, make the buttered pecans. Using a small skillet, add the chopped pecans, butter, salt and sugar. Cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until sugar has completely melted and coated pecans. Transfer pecans to a piece of aluminum foil; let cool. Once cool, break pecans into bite-sized pieces; set aside.
  • Once ice cream is almost done, stir in Buttered Pecans.

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39 Comments

    1. What? You’ve never heard of this cartoon that only ran for several months back in the late 1980’s? Shocking! 🙂 Seriously, though, that cartoon was one of my faves. Also up there on the list is this ice cream…it really is one of my favorite ice creams ever!! Laura and I carefully doled this ice cream out until it was all gone…which happened way too fast! Thanks, Dawn!

    1. Sam! I didn’t realize you have a blog…checking it out shortly. As far as Butter Pecan, I’m right there with ya. It’s one of my favorite flavors for sure! And this version is definitely one of the best ice creams I’ve ever made. It’s worth making a batch…trust me! (Well, it might lead to eating more butter pecan ice cream than you thought possible…but is that a bad thing??) Thanks so much for commenting here, Sam! 🙂

  1. Oh good gawsh, I feel like such a nimrod – I always thought it was called “butter pecan” as there was buttermilk and pecans in it and not buttered pecans! Gah – at this rate, I’ll never stop learning something new – especially when I stop by your space, David!
    I wish I could say I watched Super Mario bros – or that I enjoyed a fluorescent green juice drink – but no on both counts – though recently I did come across navy blue Butterfly Pea Tea that changes color to purple when a lemon is squeezed into it on Instagram!
    Now am off to find me a non-dairy variety of butter pecan that looks (hopefully) half as creamy dreamy as yours does!

    1. I actually assumed there was butter involved in there somewhere…so I think your idea of buttermilk makes more sense anyways! Then when I realized it was just buttered pecans, I totally did a faceslap. Doh!

      And I can’t say you’re missing much with either Mario cartoons or fluorescent green drinks. Just a typical American childhood right there! Haha! 🙂 And now I’m curious about this Pea Tea…off to Google it!

  2. You’re killing me today with your ice cream. Who can say no to butter pecan ice cream? I shared this post to my friend who is a big fan of pralines. Too bad he now lives on the other side of this world and can only scream Pralines ‘n Cream, lol.

    1. Oh no! I think you should invite your friend to come back and visit…and make a huge batch of this Butter Pecan Ice Cream. Of course, you’ll have to avoid eating it all yourself first, Linda. I’m pretty sure I would eat it all myself. No shame in my game. 🙂

  3. Hi David! What a wonderful summer treat! And those pecans…I’m quite sure they would not all make into the ice cream! I’m also not sure how much of this I would get, ice cream does not last long around Gary!

    1. I totally had to sneak a pecan or two before putting the rest into the ice cream! I love that we think the same way when it comes to food…and I think we would be dangerous partners in the kitchen, Dorothy. Dangerous because we’d eat everything before it ever made it to the table! We could just entertain Gary with stories of how good everything tasted instead. 🙂

  4. When I was growing up (And as you remember, unfortunately that wasn’t happening in Canada), we didn’t have butter pecan ice cream in the stores. We didn’t have chocolate mint ice cream either. Well, it’s easier to count what you could buy – plain vanilla, chocolate, cream brûlée, and fruit ice cream. And for the record, I wasn’t growing up in the 19th century as some may assume. Indeed, I’ve tried pecans in ice cream only in Canada. It’s definitely one of my favorite flavors (And you’re right about incorporating brown sugar – works fantastically). Recently I tried Butter pecan tarts ice cream, and it was delicious but unbearably sweet. Now I’m thinking of making it at home. Or there’s even a better idea: make this one and share with us, please:)

    1. Yeah, that’s the thing about America…we have lots of ice cream. Perhaps too much? But hey, at least you had several varieties to pick from over there in Russia. Creme brulee ice cream sounds amazing actually…I’m not sure we can get that one here?

      Totally make a batch of this one at home, Ben. Trust me. It’s worth it. I’d mail you some, but ours is looong gone. Haha!

    1. Wait…someone else in the world watched those Super Mario cartoons besides me?? 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, Matt. And yes, cheers to delicious butter pecan ice cream!

    1. Thank you so much, Kushi. We loved this cream…like it barely lasted a couple of days in our freezer. I’d make more, but I’m afraid we’d just eat it even faster next time! Definitely a good treat for a hot summer day. 🙂

  5. There was an actual super mario SHOW? I was totally missing out on this goodness!

    So Australia sucks…we didn’t have butter pecan (nor do we still do?) but we did have CARAMEL pecan which they claim to be an Australian favorite (like PB is to you guys). I could go the whole pint of this!

    1. Yes, there was indeed a show! Nothing like grown men pretending to be cartoon plumbers, right? Seriously, go spend some time on YouTube watching these old cartoons. They’re terrible…but in the best way possible!

      Caramel pecan sounds amazing…I might have to try that one soon. Also, make yourself some ice cream while watching those Mario cartoons. You’ll thank me later. 🙂

  6. Next week there are some guest coming into my house and I think nothing could be better then homemade Ice-cream. Loved the addition of pecans in it. Thanks for sharing David!!!

    1. Oh, yes, you should totally make some homemade ice cream for your guests, Puja! And I strongly recommend this Butter Pecan flavor…it seriously was one of our favorite ice creams that we’ve made lately. It didn’t last very long in the freezer at all! 🙂

  7. Butter pecan was my mom’s favorite ice cream flavor, and I’ve always like it, too. I didn’t realize it was “buttered pecans” and not “butter” and “pecans.” And brown sugar – no wonder I like it!

    1. Brown sugar makes everything better! And yes, I thought butter had to be involved in the ice cream somehow…but nope, just buttered pecans with a brown sugar ice cream. Totally tasty!

    1. Ooo…mint chocolate chip is a good one. Laura hates that flavor, but that just means I get more of it when we have it around. 🙂 Thanks, Kathy!

    1. Yes, definitely give this ice cream a shot, Smitha! It’s perfect for these really hot summer days right now. I hope you (and the kids!) enjoy! 🙂

  8. I definitely think I need to sit down in front of some nostalgic children’s TV and eat a big bowl (or two) of this.
    I am happy with anything that has pecans in it, but I have never had pecan ice cream before. WHATTT?? I need that change that soon!

    1. Hey, nostalgic kid’s tv is where it’s at…as long as ice cream is involved! And if it just so happens to be Butter Pecan Ice Cream? Well, you know you’ve got a good day ahead of you! 🙂 Thanks, Dannii…hope you’re feeling well!

  9. Moms that keep freezers stocked with ice cream are pretty darn cool 😉 In my youth, I was known to sneak large quantities of ice cream. I’d carefully smooth the top so no one would know I took some (who was I kidding?!?) With this ice cream, I’ll try my best to take a little at a time to make it last longer. It looks so delicious!!

    1. Yes, I couldn’t agree more, Megan! Although with the rate that my sister and I ate ice cream when we were kids, I don’t know how my Mom did it! Ooo…smoothing the top of the container out after digging in? That is straight sneaky! And I like it! I might have to remember that little tip. 🙂 Thank you, and I hope you have an awesome weekend!

  10. I’m definitely all for reliving happy childhood memories through food and videos on you tube 🙂 I might have missed out on Super Mario Brothers cartoons – one of my favourite were the pink panther cartoons. A rather long time ago … Your Butter Pecan Ice Cream sounds highly addictive – would love to have a big bowl of it right now 😉 Have a nice weekend!

    1. Oh, the Pink Panther cartoons! I loved watching those, Miriam! I do remember it was hard to find them…but he was the best. I still remember that Pink Panther theme song! I hope you have a great weekend yourself…go out and get some ice cream (or make it). You deserve it!! 🙂

    1. Yes! New York is crazy hot and humid right now. I’m not rushing the winter here…but I sure could use a nice break from this weather. That’s ok…at least we have delicious ice cream! And yes, I’m with you, Muna…I love custard-based ice creams!! 🙂

    1. Why thank you, Nicole! The only challenge with posting delicious desserts is not eating them all in one sitting. I just froze an entire batch of brownies for a future post. 🙂 Willpower for the win!!

    1. Hey there, Emilia! Thank you so much for the kind words. 🙂 This ice cream really is delicious…and it’s one of my favorite flavors! (Of course, I have a LOT of favorite flavors of ice cream. Haha!) Enjoy!!

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