Description
This homemade Butter Pecan Ice Cream recipe delivers a rich, creamy treat bursting with toasted buttered pecans and natural maple sweetness. Utilizing cottage cheese and maple syrup as key ingredients, this ice cream is blended and frozen to perfection using a Ninja Creami for a smooth, decadent dessert with a delightful nutty crunch.
Ingredients
For the Buttered Pecans
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons maple syrup
For the Ice Cream Base
- 3 cups cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons milk of choice (for after chilling the ice cream)
Instructions
- Toast Pecans: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the roughly chopped pecans. Stir frequently and toast for 2 minutes to bring out the nutty flavor without burning them.
- Caramelize with Maple Syrup: Add 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup to the buttered pecans and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring often to coat the pecans evenly and create a sticky glaze. Turn off the heat.
- Cool Some Pecans: Set aside 1/4 cup of the buttered pecans to be used later in the ice cream base.
- Freeze Remaining Pecans: Transfer the remaining toasted pecans onto a parchment-lined plate or pan and let them cool at room temperature. Once cooled, place them in the freezer until needed.
- Blend Ice Cream Base: In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, 1/4 cup maple syrup, vanilla bean paste, and the reserved 1/4 cup buttered pecans. Blend until smooth and creamy, ensuring no large chunks remain.
- Divide into Jars: Pour the blended ice cream base evenly into two Ninja Creami pint jars and secure the lids properly.
- Freeze: Freeze the jars for at least 6 hours or overnight to fully solidify the ice cream base.
- Blend the Ice Cream: When ready to serve, place one pint jar into the Ninja Creami machine and select the “ice cream” setting to blend it into a creamy texture.
- Respin with Milk: The ice cream may appear powdery initially. Add the milk of choice to the jar and use the “respin” function on the machine to achieve a smoother, creamier consistency.
- Add Buttered Pecans: Using a spoon, create a well in the center of the ice cream and add half of the chilled buttered pecans reserved in the freezer.
- Mix Pecans In: Press the “mix-in” button on the Ninja Creami to evenly distribute the pecans throughout the ice cream.
- Respin Again: For an extra creamy texture, use the respin function once more after mixing in the pecans.
- Repeat with Second Jar: Remove the second pint jar from the freezer and repeat the blending, respinning, and mix-in steps as done with the first jar.
- Refreeze if Needed: If the ice cream softened after adding pecans, refreeze for about 20 minutes to firm up the texture.
- Serve: Scoop the ice cream into bowls and garnish with the remaining buttered pecans for a crunchy topping. Enjoy this delicious homemade Butter Pecan Ice Cream!
Notes
- Using a Ninja Creami or similar ice cream machine is essential for the ideal creamy texture.
- Freezing the pecans after cooking helps maintain their crunch when added to the ice cream.
- If you prefer a sweeter ice cream, increase the maple syrup in the base by 1-2 tablespoons.
- This recipe is gluten-free and can be adapted to vegan by substituting dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives.
- Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping for easier serving.