Maple Ice Cream with Pecans

This creamy maple ice cream with pecans may become your new fall (or even year-round!) favorite treat. Basically a creamy vanilla ice cream flavored with real maple syrup, this recipe will knock your chilly-weather fuzzy socks off. 

 

If you’ve never made your own ice cream before, this delicious maple ice cream will inspire you to get started. There are plenty of delicious combinations of flavors to mix into ice cream — and how often do you see maple ice cream on the grocery store shelves?

Start with this one, and you’ll be hooked on making your own fresh ice cream at home.

Why You’ll Love Maple Ice Cream

If you are an ice cream lover, you’ll fall for this autumnal-flavored ice cream. 

• Super creamy – The heavy cream and whole milk impart just enough fat to make this a dreamy ice cream. 
• Unique – Maple ice cream isn’t a common offering at grocery stores or shops — but it should be!
• Easily pairable – While you can eat it on its own, from a bowl to a cone, you can also pair it to enhance any fall favorites like apple pie or pumpkin pie, or make a unique affogato.

What is the difference between Grade A and Grade B Maple Syrup?

There are a number of differences between the two types of maple syrup.

Grade A Maple Syrup:

• Lighter in color and flavor.
• Typically used as a table syrup, topping for pancakes and waffles.
• Subdivided into Grade A Golden, Grade A Amber, Grade A Dark, and Grade A Very Dark for varying intensities.
• Popular for its delicate, mild taste.
• Preferred for its clarity and traditional maple flavor.
• Often used in cooking and baking for a subtle maple sweetness.

Grade B Maple Syrup:

• Darker in color and has a more robust, intense flavor.
• Typically used in cooking, baking, and flavoring recipes.
• Often called “cooking syrup” or “Grade B Dark.”
• Contains a more pronounced maple flavor, making it a favorite for culinary applications.
• Provides a strong, rich maple taste, which can enhance the flavors of dishes.
• Generally favored for recipes where the syrup’s flavor is a central component, such as in marinades, glazes, and desserts.

What is tempering?

Tempering is the process of slowly introducing two ingredients to each other, making sure they get along while they mix. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where they combine smoothly and play nice in a recipe. 

In this recipe, the key is combining warm ingredients with eggs without scrambling them. Adding the warm dairy to the eggs is a quick task that needs to be done well.

Can I omit the eggs in this recipe? 

Using eggs in this maple ice cream recipe is the best way to make rich ice cream and prevent crystallization. However, if you need an egg-free alternative, you can make a dairy-only version and still churn it.

Is churning better than no churn? 

While it can be a matter of preference, overall churned ice cream tends to be superior to no-churn recipes for ice cream. The texture is better and the flavor is often more balanced.

Churning adds air, making it light and fluffy, but also prevents large ice crystals from forming that can be crunchy.

Can I make this recipe as a no-churn recipe? 

This recipe cannot be made as a no-churn ice cream. No-churn ice cream recipes call for both Cool Whip and sweetened condensed milk. Since this recipe does not include those ingredients, you’ll need to churn the mixture for it to become ice cream. 

Ingredients

Combine these simple ingredients for the best homemade maple ice cream you’ll ever taste.

• Egg yolks – Yolks help to create a smooth ice cream that’s easy to scoop. 
• Grade B maple syrup – Pure maple syrup adds the sweet flavor to this decadent ice cream. Avoid using pancake syrups that are attempting to mimic maple syrup.
• Coarse kosher salt – Like in any baking recipe, salt helps to bring out the sweet flavors of the other ingredients.
• Heavy whipping cream – Cream adds richness to this homemade ice cream. 
• Whole milk – Whole milk adds fat which helps to give the ice cream its perfect consistency.
• Vanilla extract – Every sweet recipe needs a little vanilla flavor to balance the other ingredients.
• Pecans – These nuts add crunch to the creamy ice cream, and perfectly complement the flavor of the maple. 

How to Make Maple Ice Cream With Pecans

In just a few simple steps you can make this delicious, sweet ice cream. 

1. Make Ice Cream Base– Start to make the ice cream base by adding the egg yolks, maple syrup, and salt to a large bowl and whisking together until completely combined. Pour the heavy cream and whole milk into a heavy bottom saucepan and simmer.
2. Temper- Once warmed, add the hot milk mixture to the egg yolk mixture slowly. Whisk while adding it to temper the eggs and avoid scrambling them. Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine. 
3. Strain– Pour the cream and egg mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl.
4. Chill– Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the ice cream mixture in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
5. Churn– Place the mixture in the ice cream maker and follow the directions from the manufacturer of the ice cream machine.

8. Mix- Fold the pecans into the ice cream before spooning it into an insulated ice cream pan or loaf pan. 
9. Freeze– Cover again and freeze. 

What to Serve With Maple Ice Cream With Pecans

You can serve maple ice cream in a bowl all on its own or top it with maple cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, or fudge sauce. You can also mix it up and serve it with complementing flavors of ice cream like marshmallow ice cream.

You can also serve it alongside cake or pie — we love it with apple slab pie, mini pecan pies, and pumpkin pie.  

Variations 

Change this maple ice cream up so it’s full of your favorite flavors. 

• Salty – For a salty and sweet combination, add a little bit more salt or try a dash or two of Old Bay. 
• Sweetener – Instead of maple syrup experiment with honey or brown sugar. 
• Dairy-Free – Experiment with using vegan versions of the dairy products. 
• Egg-Free – Try using flax eggs instead of the chicken eggs.
• Extract – Add maple extract for more maple flavoring or use other extracts to add other flavors. 
• Nuts – Swap out the pecans for chopped walnuts or your own favorite variety.

Storage and Freezing

You’ll need to store this sweet treat in the freezer.

Freezer: Store homemade ice cream in the freezer in an airtight container for a couple of weeks. 

Common Questions About Maple Ice Cream

Other Delicious Frozen Desserts

• No Churn Oreo Ice Cream
• Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Easy Meringue Ice Cream Cups
• Homemade Mango Ice Cream