Apostolic Friends Forum - Favorite Ice Cream

Homemade butter pecan

Butter Pecan Ice Cream
From Cottage Living

This recipe received the highest rating in our test kitchen. Toasting the pecans adds depth of flavor, but be careful not to burn or they will be bitter. Prep: 10 minutes, Cook: 15 minutes, Chill: 1 hour, Freeze: 4 to 6 hours.

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup sugar
8 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans

1. Melt butter in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer about 4 minutes or until butter turns light brown and the milk solids on bottom of pan release brown specks. Set aside; let stand until just warm.
2. Combine milk, cream, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat; bring to a low boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat.

3. Beat egg yolks in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed 1 minute. Slowly add brown butter with specks into yolks, and beat 2 minutes or until mixture is thick and fluffy.

4. Slowly pour one-quarter of hot cream mixture into the egg mixture, stirring until incorporated. Pour this mixture back into the medium saucepan; add remaining hot cream mixture over low heat, stirring constantly with a heat-resistant spatula until mixture reaches 170° and lightly coats the back of spatula. (Be careful not to let the custard boil or the egg yolks will curdle.) Strain custard into a bowl through a medium-mesh sieve. Refrigerate custard 1 hour or until chilled; stir in the extracts.

5. Pour mixture into a 1 1/2-quart freezer container. Stir in chopped pecans, and freeze mixture according to manufacturer's instructions. Freeze 4 to 6 hours before serving.

Yield: Makes 5 cups

Cottage Living, SEPTEMBER 2004