Pecan Pie Ice Cream

By susanwadle

Pie meets ice cream in this rich and creamy pecan-vanilla ice cream amped up with a salty molasses-twinged gooey swirl.

Ingredients

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
• 2 cups (about 8 ounces) pecans, toasted and roughly chopped, divided
• 6 egg yolks
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons Kosher salt, divided
• 1/2 cup light (clear) corn syrup
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons bourbon

Details

Servings 5
Preparation time 60mins
Cooking time 60mins

Preparation

Step 1

Bring cream and milk to a simmer in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add vanilla and 1 cup pecans, turn off heat, cover, and let steep for 1 hour.

Whisk egg yolks and granulated sugar together in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined. Pour dairy through a strainer into yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk to combine and return mixture to saucepan. Discard pecans and vanilla bean. Cook dairy mixture over medium heat, whisking frequently, until a custard forms on the back of a spoon but a swiped finger leaves a clean line.

Strain custard into an airtight container (preferably wide and shallow), stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, and chill overnight or at least 6 hours. The next day, churn in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Chill in freezer until firm but not totally solid, 2 to 3 hours.

In a small, heavy saucepan, combine corn syrup, brown sugar, molasses, butter, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cook on low heat until all ingredients are combined and sugar is fully dissolved. Stir in remaining cup pecans. Stir in bourbon and reduce heat to very low, keeping sauce just warm enough to stay mobile

Using a large spoon or flexible spatula, quickly fold pecan swirl into ice cream, just enough to distribute without integrating swirl into base. Return to freezer to harden for 2 to 3 hours before serving. Pecan chunks may have settled to the bottom of the container, so scoop all the way to the bottom when serving.