Rich, creamy, luscious Candied Pecan Maple Ice Cream is sweet, super creamy, rich and smooth – like the perfect ice cream should be. If you worry about things like “does maple syrup go bad?” and you’ve got a bottle you’ve had for a while, this is a great way to use it up!
Warning!!! You don’t have eatin’ pants big enough for this ice cream.
Be sure to read the Public Service Announcement at the bottom of this post (from The Husband).
I’d like to tell you this is a low fat recipe. It’s not.
I’d like to tell you that this recipe has no calories. It does.
I’d like to tell you that it’s awful and you shouldn’t eat it. But, you should. You totally should.
I blame this completely irresistible and fabulous recipe on lovely Marcie @ Flavor the Moments.
She had this brilliant idea (seriously brilliant) to make real Mint Ice Cream. Which made me drool. And, the next thing I knew, I was heading to Bed, Bath & Beyond to pick up the same ice cream maker. Dang that Marcie! (p.s. Marcie, I love you!) 🙂
Which ice cream I’d make 1st, plagued me for less than 2.5 seconds, when of course, my all-time favorite Pralines & Cream Ice Cream danced through my head.
Why not candied pecans? See why I had you make them last week? 🙂
A plan was formulating!
Churn, baby, churn!
Why do I want to sing “Disco inferno” right after that? every.single.time.
Now, when you rush from this post to make this recipe, just remember that when you’re prepping the candied pecans for your ice cream maker, your pieces should be no larger than chocolate chips. I know… the temptation to throw them in whole, by the handfuls, will be difficult to resist… Just do it!
Cut them up like this…
(Nooooo, not the pecans on the right…the ones on the left!)See?…, I told you it would be tempting!
I seriously had to take up running (again) after this recipe. I couldn’t keep my spoon out of it, even while the paddle was still churning and burning! To say I’ve now had it in liquid, soft-serve and hard-packed form is not a stretch! I knew no bounds with this ice cream.
First order of business ~ pour it into a glass while it’s still in the soft serve stage! Drink heavily. 🙂
The comments I got from friends who tried it?
- “That is better than Haagen-Daz!”
- “Oh my gosh…that is ssssoooo good, I can’t stop eating it.”
- “This is seriously the best ice cream I’ve ever had in my life.”
- And my favorite…a Public Service Announcement from The Husband: “Say goodnight to your diet. No!!! Say die to your diet!” 🙂
I’d say that’s purty darn good ice cream ~ wouldn’t you?
Enjoy!
Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 3 cups pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons butter softened, divided
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place pecans in a shallow baking pan in a 250° oven for 10 minutes or until warmed.
- Grease a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with 1 tablespoon butter; set aside.
- Grease the sides of a large heavy saucepan with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add sugar, water, salt and cinnamon and cook over low heat, stirring frequently until sugar is dissolved.
- Turn heat to medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cover and cook for 2 minutes to dissolve all sugar crystals.
- Continue to cook (without stirring) until a candy thermometer reads 236° (soft-ball stage). Remove pan from the heat and add vanilla. Stir in warm pecans until evenly coated.
- Spread pecans onto the prepared baking pan. Bake at 250° for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove and spread pecans onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet to cool.
- Serve!
Before making the Ice Cream, prep the Candied Pecans as indicated in the recipe above!
Candied Pecan Maple Ice Cream
Candied Pecan Maple Ice Cream
Ingredients
Candied Pecans
- Prep Candied Pecans as indicated in recipe above. Set aside until ready to use.
Ice Cream
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 2 cups heavy cream
Instructions
Ice Cream Custard
- Whisk the egg yolks, sugar and salt in a bowl until pale yellow. Transfer to a saucepan and whisk in the milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until almost simmering (the mixture should be thick enough to coat a spoon). Stir in the maple syrup. Transfer to a bowl.
- Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes up to overnight.
Ice Cream
- Stir the heavy cream into the chilled custard. Churn in an ice cream maker *(see note). Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.
Notes
Base ice cream recipe from Food Network @ Maple-Bacon Crunch Ice Cream.
Candied pecan recipe from Taste Of Home @ Candied Pecans.
Marcie says
I’ll take the “blame” for this ice cream any day, Kristi — what an awesome flavor to start off with! I love your pretty white Cuisinart, too.
Kristi says
Thanks Marcie. I’m so glad you convinced me to get an ice cream maker. 🙂
Marcie says
My first comment was so long it cut off half! I also said I’ll run more for this ice cream to stay in my pants, and I love ya back, sister!
Kristi says
Hahahaha! That’s funny Marcie! 🙂
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
Yes, I want all this ice cream. No, I do not intend on sharing with ANYBODY. This is definitely Monday food at it’s finest, Kristi! I want a huge-ish bowlful for lunch. 😀
Kristi says
Me too Sarah – me too! I’ll just have to make another batch! 🙂
Cailee @ http://hellohealthyeating.com says
YUM! This looks so amazing!! What a great recipe!! I love love LOVE ice cream and eat it ‘on the regular!’ I’ll bet this is so fresh and delicious! Great recipe!!
Kristi says
Thanks Cailee. This was definitely one of the best ice creams I’ve ever made. I had to share it, otherwise, I would’ve eaten it all myself!
Caroline says
Kristi! This looks heavenly! I’m going to need a lot of self control to NOT eat all of the pecans before they make it into the ice cream! Gorgeous photos too!
Kristi says
Thanks Caroline! That’s what makes this recipe so lethal. First the candied pecans. Check! Then, well of course, there’s the ultra creamy ice cream with heavy whipping cream! Yea, that helps!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
This looks seriously amazing!!! The candied pecans, the maple, the creamy ice cream… I want all of it!
Kristi says
I wish I could share it with you Kristine! It would keep me from eating all of it and being very sorry later! Hahaha!
Judit + Corina @ Glamorous Bite says
We would really like a spoonful, or two…or three right about now! Those crunchy pecans are just perfect with the maple flavors and we are now dreaming of ice cream on this warm afternoon.
Kristi says
Hahahaha! Thanks Judit & Corina! I’m so glad you like it. It is perfect for a summer day!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
Lady, I am loving this ice cream. Those candied pecans looks so yummy. My method of making this ice cream would probably be one pecan for me, one for the ice cream, one more for me, and another…
Congrats on the new ice cream maker! I can wait to see what else you come up with.
Kristi says
Thanks Cindy! I know what you mean about the pecans. They know your name and they just keep calling it! Hahaha!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Hehe those comments from friends are definitely huge endorsements! I love candied pecans so I see what you did there making them already 😉
Kristi says
Thanks Lorraine! Yes, the fans that love it give the best feedback, yes? 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
i could SO devour a bowlful of this ice cream right now.. love pecans and maple together, definitely making this recipe – but i will probably be adding a candied bacon!
Kristi says
Yes!!! Great idea Thalia! To be honest, I tried to add a candied bacon to this first, but I failed miserably with the candied bacon – so I tossed it out and started over! I’d loveto know how yours turns out!
Kelly says
Hahaha oh my, those are the best comments ever – especially loved what your husband said – hilarious!!! Yay for a new ice cream maker – have lots of fun with it girl 🙂
Ice cream is my all time favorite treat – love that you used the yummy candied pecans in here, it sounds heavenly! Low fat or not, I want me a ginormous bowl of some of this deliciousness for breakfast and we can worry about the running part after I’m done haha 🙂
Kristi says
Hahahaha! Why didn’t I think of having this ice cream for my breakfast this morning??? 🙂 Have a beautiful day Kelly!
whatjessicabakednext says
This ice-cream looks amazing, Kristi!
Kristi says
Thanks Jessica! The pecans and maple go together beautifully!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
HAHA! Kristi this is hilarious – your husband’s public service announcement made me laugh. And I’m sure my diet would die with this ice cream – it looks so creamy and good! Love these flavors!
Kristi says
Hahahaha! He’s a riot all right. And, he was right about the PSA too! Have a great week Chelsea!
Jackie {The Beeroness} says
This looks fantastic!
Kristi says
Thanks Jackie! You’ve got me thinking you should make a beer infused version! 🙂 Now THAT would be tasty. I love love love the Stout at Bellevue Brewing Company – try it! They’ve got an awesome Stout ice cream too.
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
We are THE SAME person! I was sooooooo tempted to make butter pecan ice cream as my first but I resisted bc my brother doesn’t like it. Strawberry it was! This ice cream looks seriously addictive! I don’t know how you managed to A) have any pecans left to photograph or B) Have any ice cream left to photograph. You made 2 batches didn’t you?!!?
It is probably best that I don’t have any of this ice cream in my freezer, because there is no way I would be able to stop at just 3 scoops! Pinned!
Kristi says
Hahahaha. I ssssoooo love being the same person with you Miss Lindsey. Are you kidding? I gave this batch to friends right after I tasted it because I’ve been on a diet. There is NO WAY I could have resisted. It was seriously that goo.d
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
Hahah! I have to do that too! Make cupcakes, photography cupcakes, eat more than I should, freeze one for Hubs, give away cupcakes as fast as possible! If only I could cut out that third step, I would be 10 lbs lighter!
Kristi says
Hahahahaha! I sssssooooo get you my sistah. I so get you. 😉
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
I am in total ice cream all the time mode so I need to introduce myself to a bowl of this beauty!
Kristi says
Me too Pamela – me too! Ice cream is the best! 🙂
Juliana says
Oh Kristi…what a beautiful ice cream…I like the candied pecan in it…it sure looks creamy…make me want to dig my spoon in it.
Thanks for the recipe…have a great week 😀
Kristi says
Thanks Juliana! It is the creamiest, richest ice cream I’ve ever had for sure – then with the candied pecans on top. Oh my!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I never turn down a delicious scoop of homemade ice cream !I’ll take a double scoop, please!
Kristi says
I can’t turn it down either Ashley! 🙂
Annie @Maebells says
Oh yum! I love everything about this! Butter pecan is my absolute fave, so I know I will love this! Everything is better with candied pecans! 🙂
Kristi says
I agree Annie! Butter pecan is one of my favorites too and LIFE is just better with candied pecans! 🙂
Ashley says
Holy cow amazingness! I LOVE that you have so much maple in this ice cream … and I mean with the candied pecans. I seriously am kicking myself for never eating them with ice cream before!
Kristi says
Hahahahaha! I LOL’d at your comment Ashley – I love it –>Holy cow amazingness! And, don’t be kicking yourself – there’s still plenty of time to try them on ice cream. 😉
Erren @ Erren's Kitchen says
Wow, LOVE it!
Kristi says
Thanks Erren – you’ll love it! 🙂
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
Kristiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!! ICE CREAAAAM!!!!!! <3 What a perfect way to put those DELICIOUS candied pecans to use! I've been feeling toooooo lazy to exercise anyways, so bring it ONNNNN!!!! I can have bowls and glasses of this ice cream in solid and soft serve form without any regrets AT ALL! I mean, seriously??? Who can say no to that beauty??? Certainly, not me !!!!! 😉 😀 I haveeeee to ask you what ice cream machine you've used here. I've spent so much of my money buying ice cream machines here and none of them work. We don't have good manufacturers for ice cream makers here so even if I have to pay a chunky amount for shipping charges all the way to Mumbai, I wouldn't mind!!!!! I'm just so scared to make any more local purchases! 😛
Kristi says
Hahahaha! I love when you visit Samina – but you already know that. Yes, this ice cream is AMAZING. The ice cream maker I bought is: Cuisinart ICE-21 Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker, White. And, I love it! It was SO SIMPLE to use and it made the ice cream perfect. I hope you get one!!!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Ok. I can’t resist. I’m going shopping for an ice cream machine this weekend 🙂
Kristi says
Perfect! I can’t wait to see what you make with it!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Ahhhh this ice cream!!! OMG. I’m on a seriously homemade ice cream kick right now (I have that same ice cream maker!), but haven’t ventured into candied pecan maple territory. Probably because I don’t have eatin’ pants large enough, but I bet it could give my leggings a run for their money! Seriously Kristi this looks amazing (and I love the the color scheme you used in your photos!)
Kristi says
Thanks Alyssa for all the compliments on the color scheme! 🙂 This is an amazing flavor combo, you should definitely try it! 🙂
ananda says
love love! I can eat a whole pint of this! xo
Kristi says
Thanks Ananda! You won’t want to stop at a pint! 🙂
Elizabeth @ SugarHero.com says
Hmmm, I don’t know about this. You’d best send some to me ASAP so I can judge whether it’s good or not. And maybe send some extra pecans too, for good measure. 😉
Kristi says
Hahahaha! I’ll send it right over Elizabeth! Have a wonderful week!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
Better than Haagen-Daz maple ice cream? Oh, I am so up for this now. Should I make it or not? I am torn. I fear I could prompt a new addiction!
Kristi says
Trust me Daniela – it would be a new addiction! Haha!
Miriam @ OvertimeCook says
Maple and pecan are the two flavors I love most in this world…I’m drooling over this recipe. Yum!
Kristi says
You will love it Miriam if you try it – it is so rich, creamy and delicious! So glad you like it!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
Now this is an ice cream my dad will go gaga over! Next birthday, I know exactly what’s going on the side of his yearly birthday/thanksgiving pecan pie.
Kristi says
Yum! Those two sound amazing together! I’m so glad you like it Sarah! Have a great weekend!
Julie @ Tastes of Lizzy T says
My hubby loves ice cream and he’d go crazy over this candied pecan version! Thanks!
Kristi says
Thanks Julie! We’re ice cream lovers too so for sure he will love this!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
My mom’s fave ice creams are maple walnut and butter pecan. This is the perfect combo of both!
Kristi says
She’ll love it Brianne! You should make it for her and surprise her!
Kita says
Calories be damned…. This sounds awesome!
Kristi says
Hahaha! Exactly! Thanks Kita! 🙂
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
This is my kind of ice cream!
Kristi says
Thank you Julianne! We loved this one for sure! 🙂 Have a great week!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
YES! Bring on the ice cream and the warmer weather!
Kristi says
I’m with you Lauren! We’ve had great weather lately but we can always use more sunshine here in Seattle! 🙂
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Ohmygosh! You’re killing me with this lovely ice cream! Love it so much! I just recently bought an ice cream maker, too (after much resistance), so this will be on my “to do” list!
Kristi says
OMGosh Patricia! An ice cream maker is pure dangerous! All I can say is CONGRATULATIONS and happy freezing! Hahahaha! You’ve been warned…pure deliciousness is coming your way! 🙂
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Just pass me a spoon I’m all over this one!
Kristi says
Thanks Krista. This ice cream is seriously addictive. You’ve been warned. Haha! Have a great day!
Anna | ANNAdventure says
THIS is why I don’t own an ice cream maker nor want to own one! I am a HUGE sucker for ice cream and if I owned one … well… I would be like 5 times my current size. I have no self control .. lol. This recipe looks like heaven. I also say its okay to eat things once in a while that are delicious and high in calories. Seriously, live it up! Ps. the photos are so beautiful!
Kristi says
Thank you Anna – such kind words! That’s what took me so long to buy an ice cream maker too, I knew it would be dangerous. Haha! Have a great week!
Renee says
It’s time to dust off the ice cream maker and give this a try! All my favorite flavors combined into my favorite dessert!
Kristi says
Oh my Renee… your ice cream maker should never get dust – haha! – because it’s in use all the time. 🙂
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
My grandfather used to eat maple walnut ice cream every night after dinner, he’d probably love this version! I’ll have to make it in his memory 🙂
Kristi says
What a lovely story Sharon – I love it! I think he would love you to make this in his memory!
Kimberly says
Love this! Perfect desert. Thanks for sharing!
Kristi says
So glad you liked it Kimberly. It was delicious. 🙂 I’m getting hungry. Haha!
Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky says
Definitely your candied pecan maple ice cream is awesomeness! This is a great recipe Kristi, as you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely, in fact have made it again since. Thanks for sharing! Can i post it on my blog?
Bella Hardy @ Healthnerdy says
Definitely your candied pecan maple ice cream is awesomeness! This is a great recipe, Kristi, as you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely, in fact have made it again since. Thanks for sharing! Can I post it on my blog?