What's the Scoop? - Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Butter Pecan is Nathan's favorite ice cream flavor. Before I made this ice cream (I've been making this recipe for him for a few years), I never really cared for Butter Pecan. It's not that I didn't like it, but it is an ice cream that wouldn't tempt me and that I would never order or make for myself.

But this Butter Pecan changed my world forever. I want to hide this ice cream from Nathan and eat it myself. It is so incredibly delicious. I think the key is the butter. The pecans are cooked in butter with generous helping of salt (don't skip the salt... it is essential in the flavor!). Once the pecans are browned, they are removed from the butter and that butter is put to use again. The delicious pecan flavored/salted butter is mixed in with the cream and then churned. Holy moly... this ice cream is fantastic!

Enjoy!

Ben & Jerry's Butter Pecan Ice Cream


1/2 cup butter
1 cup pecan halves
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk


Melt the butter in a heavy skillet over low heat. Add the pecans and salt and saute, stirring occasionally, until the pecans start to turn brown. Drain the butter into a small bowl and transfer the pecans to another bowl and let cool.


Whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk the sugar, a little bit at a time, then continue whisking until completely blended, about 1 minute more. Pour in the cream and milk and whisk to blend. Add the melted butter and blend.


Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and freeze following the manufacturer's instructions.


After the ice cream stiffens (about 2 minutes before it is done), add the pecans, then continue freezing until the ice cream is ready.


Makes generous 1 quart.