Creamy homemade pumpkin ice cream is studded with crunchy sugared pecans! This gourmet Sugared Pecan Pumpkin Ice Cream is easy to make and uses pumpkin puree and fresh cream. 
So I got a little carried away in the kitchen this past week. Made Sugared Pecan Pumpkin Ice Cream. The holidays are not so far away (gulp) and maybe I have pumpkin pie on the brain.
First I made Pumpkin Spice Sugared Pecans. Then one thing led to another and I was dreaming about pumpkin pie with sugared pecans.
And then, THEN… I got thinking about ice cream. Pumpkin ice cream. The rest is history. (This recipe is adapted from the Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book. Many thanks Ben & Jerry!)
This Sugared Pecan Pumpkin Ice Cream reminds me of pumpkin pie. It’s creamy and delicious, uses canned pumpkin (I had Libby’s in the pantry) and freshly grated nutmeg and cinnamon. This recipe is quick and easy to make, and processes in your ice cream maker.
How to make Sugared Pecans:
Sugared Pecan Pumpkin Ice Cream can be made with either Sugared Pecans or Pumpkin Spice Sugared Pecans, your choice. Links for the sugared pecan recipes are listed below.
The pecan recipes above make 2 pounds each, but only 1 cup of the sugared pecans is needed to make a generous quart of Sugared Pecan Pumpkin Ice Cream.
You can easily cut the pecan recipes down to use in this ice cream, though I recommend making the whole 2 pounds. Extra candied nuts are perfect for snacking during the holidays and make yummy Christmas gifts that are greatly appreciated.
This ice cream is perfection alongside a slice of Famous Brick Street Chocolate Cake. (Not that I would know, lol.)
Other pumpkin recipes you may enjoy: Homemade Pumpkin Soup , Maple Pumpkin Spice Latte, and Best Pumpkin Bread Recipe.
Sugared Pecan Pumpkin Ice Cream
Ingredients
Ice Cream
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 cups heavy cream or whipping cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup unsweetened canned pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup coarsely broken sugared pecan halves
Sugared Pecans
- 2 pounds shelled pecan halves
- 2 egg whites
- 2 teaspoons cold water
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
Ice Cream
- Mix cream and milk together in a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat.
- Meanwhile, separately, whisk eggs in medium mixing bowl 'til light and fluffy.
- Slowly whisk the sugar into the egg mixture, a little at a time until it's thoroughly combined, then 1-2 minutes more.
- When the cream/milk mixture reaches 140°, remove from heat.
- Very slowly add in about 1/3 of the hot cream/milk mixture to the egg/sugar mixture, whisking quickly the whole time 'til blended. (This "tempers" the eggs so they don't scramble when added.)
- Once thoroughly blended, add in the remaining cream/milk mixture.
- Return custard to sauce pan and heat on medium low heat until the mixture reaches 175°. (This kills off any harmful bacteria.)
- Chill throughly until mixture is a minimum of 40°. (You want it very cold so it freezes well in the ice cream maker.)
- In a mixing bowl, transfer 1 cup of egg/cream mixture.
- Add pumpkin, nutmeg and cinnamon and stir 'til mixed.
- Add pumpkin mixture to remaining cream base and blend thoroughly.
- Transfer to an ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions.
- When almost frozen, add in sugared pecans.
- Eat soft or freeze 4-6 hours until hard.
Sugared Pecans
- Place pecans in a large mixing bowl.
- Separately, froth egg whites and cold water together.
- Pour over pecans and mix thoroughly.
- Stir in remaining ingredients: sugar, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.
- Transfer to a large baking or roasting pan.
- Bake at 225 degrees, uncovered for one and a half hours.
- Stir every thirty minutes.
- Cool, then store in an airtight container.
You may also like: Jim Beam Toasted Pecan Ice Cream
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
What a yummy treat! I could definitely go for this over pie at Thanksgiving!
Kim - Liv Life says
So, my family can’t have dairy. But… I can. Would it be mean to make this just for me??? Oh how I love all the flavors you have going on here! Those pecans are to die for!
Allie says
Dear Kim, I really don’t think it would be mean. Just grab a spoon, slap on an eye mask and call it therapy! 🙂
Ramona W says
Oh My! I generally do not make it a practice to crave ice cream at 7am… but you have certainly challenged me here! I would eat a big bowl of this right now and not think twice. It looks amazing and my favorite style of ice cream is always is loaded with nuts like this. 🙂 It looks irresistible!
Sheryl says
Wow, does this ever look good!! I wholeheartedly agree with Michelle…bye bye pumpkin pie, there’s a new dessert in town!!!! ☺️
Taylor@Food Faith Fitness says
I could definitely see this on my Thanksgiving table 🙂
Marye says
Oh wow! This ice-cream looks so delicious!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
Wow!! I love this ice cream! It looks like a better choice than both a pumpkin and pecan pie!
Aunt Pinkie says
As usual, looks soooo good! Thanks, Allie!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Allie – I LURRRVE how your brain works! First you make those ingenious Pumpkin Spice Sugared Pecans then you use them to make ice cream and then you pair that ice cream with that decadent chocolate cake! Your thought process is just so brilliant I might just forgive you for making me drool all over my keyboard! 🙂
Allie says
Gee thanks, Shash! Just my remaining gray cells functioning the best they can….and I have more plans for those sugared pecans….just you wait. 🙂 XOXO
Tracy says
What awesome recipes you come up with. This sounds delicious Allie!
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
I love homemade ice cream . So Yummy. I haven’t made pumpkin yet so I’ll have to give your recipe a try.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Oh, WOWZA, Allie! You can come to my kitchen and get carried away any time you want! Like, today is good with me if you are free. 😉 LOVING this ice cream!! I adore sugared pecans, pecan ice cream and pumpkin flavored most things, so a combination of ALL that is just amazing! This is fall ice cream GOLD right here!! Pinned! Cheers, doll! XO
Susie Mandel says
Wow…I think I’ve gained 5 pounds just reading this! Sounds absolutely delicious!
Allie says
I hear you Susie. Not exactly diet food. But delicious! 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
OH. MY. GOSH. This is a FANTASTIC looking treat. Sugared pecans look and sounds absolutely divine. And anything with pumpkin is a SUPER HIT. Mmmmm, I can have this delicacy anytime. SO YUM! Major drooling! 🙂
Catherine says
Dear Allie, you ice cream looks like perfection! I know my daughter would absolutely love this…she’s a fan of anything pumpkin. Such a wonderful treat to make for Thanksgiving. I love homemade ice cream all year round…it is especially wonderful with the holiday pies. xo, Catherine
Carol Borchardt says
This sounds over-the-top wonderful! I don’t think of ice cream for dessert at Thanksgiving, but this looks perfect on its own or the perfect dessert topper!
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says
Just stopped by to see what was cooking on your blog this week – saw this and almost LICKED THE SCREEN!! Looks soooo delicious. Pecans are my favorite…not to mention, so is ice cream! 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
Whoa….can I still have a slice of pumpkin pie and pecan pie if I have a scoop of this ice cream? I don’t want to be too piggish…. I just think this would be right up there with my favorites and I just have to have a little of each!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
This is one gorgeous ice cream Allie! So perfect for the fall! Beautiful photos too!
David @ Cooking Chat says
another delicious dessert! This seems like it would be nice after Thanksgiving, not too heavy. (always room for ice cream, right?)
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
Everyone is in rush-rush mode nowadays, but a recipe such as this one, that does take more time than an ice cream where the ingredients are just thrown into an ice cream maker remind us that should really slow down sometimes and really enjoy more quality over quantity.
I personally have a favorite chocolate ice cream which has so many eggs and egg yolks, and so many steps past tempering them, and back and forth with chocolate, that I’ve never posted the recipe. BUT, the results are incredible, much as I can imagine for this Sugared Pecan Pumpkin ice cream! Oh and I adore sugared pecans! Great recipe, Allie! You’ve inspired me to post my chocolate ice cream recipe!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Love the sugared pecans! This is such a great combination of flavors!
Robin @ Simply Southern Baking says
This looks so scrumptious!!!
Carina says
Oh my goodness…That looks devine! And I noticed in the comments that you have more plans still with the pecans! Can’t wait to see! Take care, Allie. XO
Eva says
C’est une excellente idée de faire la glace ave tes noix de pecan! Je prendrais bien un bol! xoxo
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Wow!! Sign me up for this. It looks amazing!
ARIEL says
WOW! Even if it may finally be getting chilly outside, I still would love to try this! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Laura Dembowski (@piesandplots) says
I don’t know if the ice cream or the pecans sound better. I guess that’s why you put them together 🙂
brigitte says
Waouh,quel beau et tentant dessert Allie, un régal pour les yeux, bisous, belle journée!