Butter Pecan Ice Cream is creamy, buttery, and nutty!
Betty Draper is my grandmother.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the show Mad Men, Betty Draper is the main character’s wife. The show is set in the late 50’s/early 60’s and I’m only just starting season three (thank you, Netflix) so DON’T spoiler me.
I officially have the worst memory in the world and recall only bits and pieces of my childhood. For some reason watching Mad Men has really jolted my memory and helped me remember all sorts of little details about my grandmother. She would have been about the same age as Betty in this time period. She smokes, drinks, and wears those little wire curlers in her hair. She even wears those flat, straight capri pants that I can’t quite find the words to describe. It can be both comforting and alarming at times.
I’ve always thought of butter pecan as a more… mature flavor. There are no sprinkles, no chocolate, no bits of candy weaving throughout. Instead you are met with buttery, salty nuts. It’s practically dinner if you’re so inclined. I think Betty would agree.
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Ingredients
Ice Cream
- 5 Tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup light brown sugar,, firmly packed
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ¾ cups whole milk
- 6 large egg yolks
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon scotch whiskey
Pecans
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter,, melted
- 1 ½ cups pecan halves
- ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Instructions
- To make the ice cream base, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and salt. Whisk in 1 cup of the cream and all of the milk. Continue to stir occasionally until warm.
- Pour the remaining 1 cup cream into a large bowl and set a large mesh strainer on top.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm brown sugar mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then pour the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.
- Stir the mixture with a rubber scraper constantly over medium heat, being sure to scrape the bottom as you stir. Once the mixture thickens and coats the back of the scraper, pour it through the strainer and stir into the cream. Add the vanilla and scotch and stir until cool over an ice bath. Cover the mixture loosely and let it chill thoroughly in the refrigerator.
- Meanwhile, make the buttered pecans. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Toss the pecans with the melted butter until well coated, then sprinkle with salt. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until fragrant and lightly crisp, about 10 minutes. Stir the nuts once halfway through cooking. Let the pecans cool and chop coarsely.
- Freeze the chilled cream mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Add the pecans in the last few minutes of churning. Place in an airtight container and store in the freezer for several days.
Notes
by David Lebovitz
Lisa @ Je suis alimentageuse says
I love Mad Men! I blew through all 6 seasons over the past 6 months, I don’t want to spoil anything, but Betty Draper’s character goes through a lot of developments =) Hope you like the rest of the series, it’s probably my favourite show because it’s so beautifully shot, written, and executed. Also this ice cream looks delicious haha. My bewilderment on facebook still stands, how did you get such perfect scoops?
Lindsay Moe says
I can only imagine how much Betty will change, she starts out as such a child! I forgot to mention I also freeze my formed scoops for a few minutes before taking pictures, that way they don’t get so melty.
madscar says
This is amazing! I love it:)
Maritza says
Is there really only 1/4 cup of sugar in the whole thing? Or is that a typo?
Lindsay Moe says
1/4 cup is correct!