Butter Pecan Ice Cream

I have yet to meet anyone who does not like butter pecan; seriously. If someone in my family comes up to me after this post goes out, that's on you! Anyway, all butter pecan ice cream boils down to is the use of good butter and perfectly seasoned pecans. I'm currently typing this post with a bowl of pecans in front of me and watching the dog try and get past the funny texture. 

I love pecans. They're just one of those nuts that you can't have just one (like pistachios). I make sure to buy the whole shell pecan and walnuts every holiday season and we devour them! Having that bowl sit in the middle of the coffee table for the cozy months makes me think of my grandparents and I can't think of a better memory. Want to make this dessert more adult? I think by now you know I'm a fan of using bourbon in any of my holiday treats, so add a couple of tablespoons in to give it a smokiness. Cheers!

Ingredients:

5 tbsp unsalted European butter
1 1/2 cups raw pecans
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
5 egg yolks
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
Optional: 2 tbsp bourbon

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. In a bowl melt 2 tablespoons of butter (30 seconds in the microwave). Add your pecans and mix well
3. Pour your buttered pecans onto a cookie sheet and roast for 8 minutes. Once roasted remove from the oven 

4. In a medium saucepan on medium-low heat add remaining butter, sugar, vanilla extract, milk, and 1 cup heavy cream. Stir until sugar has dissolved

5. In a separate bowl whisk together egg yolks. Slowly pour some of the warmed mixture into the yolks and whisk 

6. Pour yolk mixture back into saucepan and stir custard until it becomes thick and reaches 165-170 degrees Fahrenheit 

7. Strain custard mixture into remaining heavy cream and let it cool in the freezer for 1 hour
8. Once cooled, pour your custard into your ice cream maker and freeze following manufacturer's instructions. Towards the end of the freezing process add your pecans and bourbon. Make sure everything has been mixed evenly!