No-Churn Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

July: National Ice Cream Month

Have you ever taken one of those personality quizzes based on your favorite flavor of ice cream? One such test, an “ice cream flavorology study”, was developed by Dr. Alan R. Hirsch, the neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, Ltd., in Chicago, Illinois. National manufacturer Edy’s Grand Ice Cream commissioned him to determine how ice cream flavor preferences relate to people’s personalities.

Islander’s favorite flavor is butter pecan and Highlander likes chocolate (see our blog post recipe for no-churn chocolate ice cream). We read Dr. Hirsch’s amusing analysis of our personalities based on the ice cream flavors we chose and, while they do fit us, we do not feel bound to those descriptions, as we enjoy eating other flavors of ice cream, depending on our moods.

During National Ice Cream Month, have some fun and take the personality test. And while you’re at it, enjoy eating some homemade no-churn butter pecan (or other favorite flavor) ice cream from the recipe provided below. Stay cool!

Recipe

(Adapted from Noreen’s Kitchen)

Ingredients

  • 1 cups pecans (chips, pieces or half nuts), toasted
  • 2 cups heavy cream, whipped
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon maple extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon butter extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Directions

In a small pan, toast the pecans, being careful not to burn them. Let cool and set aside. Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. In a large bowl, pour the condensed milk.

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Stir in the melted butter, maple syrup and extracts.

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Add the salt. Fold in the whipped cream and toasted pecans and blend well. Pour mixture into a large loaf pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight. Remove from the freezer, scoop and enjoy!

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Notes

  • National Ice Cream Day is also celebrated on the third Sunday of July.
  • Search our blog for other no-churn ice cream recipes.

Butter Pecan Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies

September 21: Pecan Cookie Day

Islander’s favorite ice cream flavor is butter pecan. So it is no surprise that she likes butter pecan cookies, too. Not only do they taste great, but they contain just four ingredients and are so easy and quick to make. Butter pecan cookies are similar to shortbread and have a buttery-crumb texture. They are not overly sweet, which is nice so the nutty flavor comes through. And the vibrant cookie color adds a festive fall hue on a party (or personal) plate. As the summer ice cream season comes to a close, celebrate with an autumn, afternoon or anytime snack by baking a batch of butter pecan cookies for Pecan Cookie Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Taste of Home)

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup butter, softened
  • 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant butterscotch pudding mix
  • 1 ¼ cup flour
  • ½ cup pecan chips

Directions

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter, then add the butterscotch pudding mix. Blend well.

Butter Pecan Cookies

Add the flour. Fold in the pecan chips. Form the cookie dough into a ball. Pinch out 1 – 1 ½ -inch of the dough and roll into a ball. Place on foil-lined greased cookie sheets.

Butter Pecan Cookies

Flatten the balls with the bottom of a lightly-floured glass or with the palm of your hand. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees F for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven. Cool completely on a wire rack. Yield: Approximately 2 ½ dozen cookies.

Butter Pecan Cookies

Notes

  • For a nuttier or chunkier cookie, substitute pecan chips with coarsely chopped pecans.
  • For a sweeter cookie, add ¼ – ½ cup toffee bits.
  • Search our blog for other recipes containing pecans.