Butter Pecan Ice Cream Recipe

This smooth and creamy Butter Pecan Ice Cream Recipe is rich and decadent, and great for special occasions. The BEST Butter Pecan incorporates brown butter, tempered eggs, dairy, brown sugar, and toasted pecans for the ultimate dessert experience!

A white container of butter pecan ice cream, arranged in scoops.

We love our homemade ice cream recipes that use an old-fashioned electric mixer or our newer KitchenAid attachment. Simple to make and prepping ahead is key. Your guests will be impressed! Join my Ice Cream of the Month Club to get all the details!

Butter Pecan

This is yet another ice cream in my series. I’ve been loving dreaming up new recipes to share with ya’ll, because is there really anything better than homemade ice cream? I say no. 

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The flavors in this amazing ice cream remind me of fall. Browned butter and pecans together with the normal dairy and eggs equals perfection. I really hope you give it a try soon!

More recipes in this series include Homemade Peach Ice Cream, Double Chocolate Ice Cream, Coffee Toffee Ice Cream, Blueberry Ice Cream, and Mint Chip Ice Cream.

Let’s make ice cream!

Side shot of a small bowl of butter pecan ice cream.

Ingredients needed:

  • Eggs – I used four egg yolks for this recipe.
  • Sugar – A cup of brown sugar is needed for this recipe.
  • Butter – Some unsalted butter is browned for the best Butter Pecan Ice Cream.
  • Dairy – Three cups of heavy cream and Two cups of whole milk for an extra creamy ice cream.
  • Vanilla – Use vanilla bean paste for a special treat!
  • Pecans – Use a cup of chopped pecans.
  • Salt – A pinch of salt can be added, but it’s optional.

How to make brown butter:

This process is very easy. You just have to be patient while browning, and watch it very closely. You want browned butter – NOT burnt butter.

  1. Place the butter in a pan on the stove, over medium heat.
  2. Let the butter melt, and when it starts sizzling, start stirring with a spatula. 
  3. Keep the heat at medium, and stir gently, keeping the butter moving in the pan.
  4. After about 15 minutes, you should see some brown bits starting to form on the bottom. When you see this, stir for a few seconds longer, and then remove the pan from the heat.
  5. For cookies, I let the butter completely cool and solidify. For the ice cream, I let it cool just slightly before using it in the tempered eggs.

How to temper eggs:

You’ll want to temper your eggs so that they are safe to eat. You can also use pasteurized eggs instead if you can find them in the grocery store.

  1. In this recipe, we start with browning some butter (as noted above). When the butter is browned, I set it aside for about 20 minutes so it can cool just slightly. Then add the whole milk and heat (stirring often) until it reaches 165 degrees on a digital thermometer. Do not boil.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the eggs and brown sugar and whisk well.
  3. When milk reaches 165 degrees, take a small measuring cup and pour into the egg mixture, whisking vigorously as you pour it in. Do not stop whisking, and continue to pour about a cup of hot milk into the eggs.
  4. Then pour the contents of the bowl into the saucepan and place back on heat. Continue whisking and heating until the mixture reaches 165 degrees.
  5. Remove from heat and let cool. Refrigerate.
An ice cream maker with the finished butter pecan ice cream.

How to make butter pecan ice cream:

  1. Prep. If using KitchenAid attachment, place the bowl into the freezer a full day in advance (or at least 15 hours) before churning.
  2. Brown the butter. See instructions above.
  3. Temper the eggs. See directions above.
  4. Combine ice cream ingredients. In a large measuring bowl, combine the tempered egg mixture (browned butter, whole milk, eggs, and brown sugar), the heavy cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Mix well, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least four hours before churning. The mixture should be VERY COLD!
  5. Toast the pecans. Use a non-stick skillet and heat to medium heat. Add chopped pecans and toast until just browned. You will smell it when they start to brown. Don’t burn! Let cool completely and then place in the freezer until the ice cream is churned.
  6. Churn. If using a KitchenAid attachment (as pictured below), start the mixer with the attachment so that it’s turning BEFORE you pour the liquid in. Then pour in whisked ingredients and let it churn until finished. You’ll know it’s done when the mixer starts slowing down and it rises to the top of the bowl, approximately 25-30 minutes.
  7. Remove. Use a rubber scraper to pour the ice cream out of the bowl into a freezer safe container. 
  8. Add toasted pecans. Then add the toasted pecans to the ice cream and mix well.
  9. Freeze. Freeze the ice cream until ready to serve. The ice cream will be a bit soft so it needs a couple of hours to firm up.
Overhead shot of three small bowls of butter pecan with spoons.

This is officially my sixth ice cream recipe I’m sharing that uses a KitchenAid attachment. SO simple to use, and it’s nice being able to mix it up quickly and without going outside (like we do when we use our four-quart mixer). 

If you can’t find a Kitchen Aid Attachment, you can use another two-quart mixer for this recipe and others.

Tips for using a KitchenAid Attachment:

  1. Place bowl attachment in freezer. You’ll want to be sure to store the bowl in the freezer for AT LEAST 15 hours before using. Since we have an extra freezer in our laundry room, I keep ours in there all the time. That way we can make ice cream on a whim!
  2. Run mixer in advance. Attach bowl to the KitchenAid mixer and add the attachments. Start mixer on the lowest setting BEFORE adding ice cream mixture. This will prevent the bowl from freezing up.
  3. Add liquid while mixer is running. Then carefully pour the liquid into the bowl attachment while it’s running.
  4. Let it slow down slightly. The ice cream is done when you see it expanding to the top of the bowl and the mixer starts to slow down.

More delicious Ice cream recipes include Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Strawberry Ice Cream Double Chocolate Ice Cream Very Berry Strawberry Ice Cream and Creamy Peanut Butter Ice Cream!

Pizza Party!

What goes best with ice cream? PIZZA, of course! Check out a few recipes for pizza. More coming soon!

As you may know, I’m also sharing a new pizza recipe each month alongside the ice cream series. So if you want to try a new pizza recipe, I recommend my Taco Pizza Recipe, my Meatball Pizza, or my Homemade French Bread Pizza. All are so good, and perfect for a pizza and ice cream party!

Side shot of a white container of butter pecan ice cream, arranged in scoops.

xoxo ~Sue

A white container of butter pecan ice cream, arranged in scoops.

Butter Pecan ice Cream Recipe

This smooth and creamy Butter Pecan Ice Cream Recipe is rich and decadent, and great for special occasions. The BEST Butter Pecan incorporates brown butter, tempered eggs, dairy, brown sugar, and toasted pecans for the ultimate dessert experience!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 16 1/2 cup servings
Calories: 328kcal
Author: Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter – browned
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt – optional
  • 1 cup chopped pecans – toasted

Instructions

  • Brown the butter. Place butter in a pan on the stove over medium heat. Let it melt, and when it starts sizzling, stir with a spatula. Let butter continue to cook while stirring frequently. You'll see some brown bits start to form on the bottom of the pan. Let this continue for a minute or so, and then remove the pan from the heat.

Temper the eggs.

  • Add the whole milk to the same pan with the butter, and place back on the stove over medium-high heat. Stir and wait for the mixture to reach 165 degrees on a digital thermometer.
  • Combine the eggs and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. When the milk/butter mixture reaches 165 degrees, take a small measuring cup and pour some of the mixture into the eggs, whisking vigorously as you do so. Continue adding about one cup of the mixture in the eggs, and don't stop mixing.
  • Pour the contents of the bowl into the saucepan and place back on heat. Continue heating until it reaches 165 degrees. Remove from heat and let cool.

Continue with process.

  • Combine the ice cream ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the tempered egg mixture (the browned butter, whole milk, eggs, and brown sugar), the heavy cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Mix well, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least four hours before churning. The mixture should be VERY COLD!
  • Toast the pecans. Use a non-stick skillet over medium heat, and add the chopped pecans. Toast until just browned. You will smell it when they start browning. Be careful to avoid burning! Remove pecans and cool. Then store in the freezer (in a freezer bag) until ready to use.
  • Churn. If using a KitchenAid attachment, start the mixer with the attachment so that's turning BEFORE you pour the liquid in. Then carefully pour in the whisked mixture as it's turning. Let it churn for about 25-30 minutes, or until the ice cream starts rising to the top of the bowl and the mixer slows down slightly.
  • Use a rubber scraper to pour the ice cream out of the bowl into a freezer safe container. Stir in the toasted pecans and mix well to combine.
  • Freeze the ice cream until ready to serve. You'll want to keep it in the freezer for a couple of hours to firm up.

Notes

Tips for using a KitchenAid Attachment:

  1. Place bowl attachment in freezer. You’ll want to be sure to store the bowl in the freezer for AT LEAST 15 hours before using. Since we have an extra freezer in our laundry room, I keep ours in there all the time. That way we can make ice cream on a whim!
  2. Run mixer in advance. Attach bowl to the KitchenAid mixer and add the attachments. Start mixer on the lowest setting BEFORE adding ice cream mixture. This will prevent the bowl from freezing up.
  3. Add liquid while mixer is running. Then carefully pour the liquid into the bowl attachment while it’s running.
  4. Let it slow down slightly. The ice cream is done when you see it expanding to the top of the bowl and the mixer starts to slow down.

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 128mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 902IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Suebeehomemaker or tag #suebeehomemaker!

8 Comments

  1. I’ve got the mix chillin in the fridge and I am so excited to churn it later. It tasted amazing in its liquid form, so frozen is no doubt going to be out of this world! Thanks for the recipe!

  2. Vanessa T. says:

    The absolute best ice cream recipe I have come across. Literally will never need to look for another. Thank you for sharing and not gatekeeping. <3

    1. Suebee Homemaker says:

      I love hearing this, Vanessa! Thank you!

  3. I literally never leave comments on recipes.. but this ice cream is amazing!! Was my first time making ice cream and first time using KitchenAid attachment. Recipe was easy to follow and so so delicious! Best ice cream I’ve had:)

    1. Suebee Homemaker says:

      I’m so happy to hear this, Kati! Thank you!

  4. This one was a hit! We are getting great use out of our new ice cream maker with your recipes. The hardest part is deciding which one to try next!

    1. Suebee Homemaker says:

      Ha! Keep trying them, Kelly! 🙂

  5. So many great ice cream recipes on the blog, it’s hard to choose….. But, this should be considered. Love it!

5 from 4 votes

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