Easy Pecan Pralines and Ice Cream Recipe

Introduction

This Easy Pecan Pralines and Ice Cream recipe combines a creamy vanilla custard base with sweet, crunchy pecan pralines for a delightful homemade treat. Perfectly rich and indulgent, it’s a dessert that impresses with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 3 cups half and half
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 large egg yolks
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla paste or vanilla extract
• 1½ cups pecan pralines crumbled, homemade or purchased

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the half and half and heavy cream. Bring just to a simmer, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until pale lemon yellow. Gradually add the sugar and mix to combine.
3. Step 3: Temper the eggs by slowly adding the hot cream mixture, about a tablespoon at a time, stirring after each addition until half the cream is incorporated.
4. Step 4: Pour in the rest of the cream mixture, stir well, and return it all to the saucepan over low heat.
5. Step 5: Stir constantly, scraping the sides and bottom, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches 170°F on a thermometer.
6. Step 6: Transfer the custard to a container and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir in the vanilla paste.
7. Step 7: Refrigerate uncovered until cool and no condensation forms on the lid, then cover and chill for 4 to 8 hours until below 40°F.
8. Step 8: Pour the custard into an ice cream maker and churn following the manufacturer’s instructions, about 25 to 35 minutes.
9. Step 9: About 5 minutes before finishing, slowly add the crumbled pralines to distribute evenly.
10. Step 10: Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for 3 to 4 hours to firm up before serving.
11. Step 11: If desired, garnish with extra pralines or roasted pecans for added crunch and flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Freeze your ice cream maker’s bowl at least 24 hours in advance if it requires pre-freezing.
• Substitute praline-coated pecans if you can’t find pralines; they’re often available at specialty stores or during holidays.
• Try different mix-ins like chocolate chips, caramel, fruit, or cookie crumbles to customize the custard base.
• For homemade pralines, check out an easy recipe for Old-Fashioned Pecan Pralines.

Storage

Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks for best texture and flavor. To serve, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly before scooping.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the custard base without an ice cream maker?

Yes, you can freeze the custard in a shallow container and stir vigorously every 30 minutes for a few hours to break up ice crystals, but the texture won’t be as smooth as with an ice cream maker.

How do I know when the custard is cooked enough?

The custard is ready when it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon without running off quickly and reaches 170°F on a cooking thermometer. This ensures it’s safe to eat and will produce a creamy texture.

Easy Pecan Pralines and Ice Cream Recipe

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4.6 from 77 reviews

This easy pecan pralines and ice cream recipe combines a rich vanilla custard base with crunchy, sweet pecan praline pieces for a decadent homemade treat. The velvety smooth ice cream is crafted with a custard base made from half and half, heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla, churned to perfection and studded with crumbled pralines. Perfect as a luxurious dessert, this recipe offers customizable options to swap pralines for chocolate chips, fruit, or caramel for variety.

• Author: Lily
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 8 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 1 quart (4 servings) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Custard Base

• 3 cups half and half
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 large egg yolks
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla paste or vanilla extract

Mix-In

• 1–½ cups pecan pralines crumbled, homemade or purchased

Instructions

1. Heat cream mixture: Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the half-and-half and heavy cream. Bring to just a simmer while stirring occasionally, then remove from heat and set aside.
2. Whisk egg yolks: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with a whisk or electric mixer until pale lemon yellow. Gradually add the sugar and continue whisking until combined.
3. Temper eggs: Slowly add small amounts (about one tablespoon at a time) of the hot cream mixture to the egg mixture, stirring between additions, until half the cream mixture is incorporated.
4. Combine and cook custard: Pour in the remaining cream mixture; stir to combine. Return the mixture to the saucepan and place over low heat. Stir steadily, scraping the bottom and sides, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches 170°F on an instant-read thermometer.
5. Cool custard: Pour the custard into a container and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir in the vanilla paste, then refrigerate uncovered until cool enough not to form condensation (4 to 8 hours, reaching 40°F or below).
6. Churn ice cream: Pour the chilled custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions, approximately 25 to 35 minutes.
7. Add pralines: About 5 minutes before the ice cream reaches soft-serve consistency, slowly add in the crumbled pecan pralines ensuring even distribution.
8. Freeze and serve: Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for 3-4 hours until firm. Serve garnished with additional crumbled pralines or roasted pecans if desired.

Notes

• If your ice cream maker requires freezing its bowl before use, freeze it for at least 24 hours in advance.
• For homemade pralines, try an Old-Fashioned Pecan Pralines recipe. Store-bought pralines or praline-coated pecans can be found online or at specialty stores such as Trader Joe’s.
• The vanilla custard base is versatile; feel free to add other mix-ins like fruit, chocolate chips, caramel, or cookie crumbles instead of pralines.

Keywords: pecan pralines ice cream, homemade ice cream, vanilla custard ice cream, pecan ice cream, easy ice cream recipe