• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Feels Like Home™ logo

white magnifying glass on a red circle
  • Shop
    • Christianity Downloads
    • Family Downloads
    • Food & Cooking Downloads
    • Hobbies & Crafts Downloads
    • Learning Downloads
  • All Recipes
    • By Course
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Condiments & Spices
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Lunches & Dinners
      • Side Dishes
      • Snacks
    • By Method
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Oven
      • Stove Top
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Slow Cooker
      • Copycat Recipes
      • Grill
      • Microwave
      • No Bake
    • By Meat
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Chicken
      • Turkey
      • Seafood
      • Meatless
    • By Cuisine
      • Asian
      • Italian
      • Mexican
      • Eating after Bariatric Surgery
      • Gluten-Free
      • Vegetarian
      • Copycat Recipes
    • Comfort Food
    • Recipes for Foodie Kids
    • Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals
  • Dinners
    • Beef
    • Pork
    • Chicken
    • Turkey
    • Seafood
    • Meatless
    • Pizza
    • Stir Fry
    • Sandwiches
    • Pasta
    • Salads
    • Soup & Chili
    • Casseroles
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • One Pot
    • Crockpot
    • Instant Pot
    • Grilling
    • Side Dishes
  • Desserts
    • Ice Cream
    • Cakes
    • Cheesecake
    • Pies
    • Cookies
    • Candy
    • No Bake Desserts
  • Holidays
    • Super Bowl
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patrick's Day
    • Easter
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Mother's Day
    • Memorial Day
    • 4th of July
    • Labor Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Birthdays
  • Family
    • Parenting
    • Holidays & Celebrations
      • Birthdays
      • Valentine's Day
      • St. Patrick's Day
      • Easter
      • Mother's Day
      • Father's Day
      • Summer Picnics
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
      • New Year's Eve
    • Kids activities
      • Kids Crafts
      • Christmas Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers
      • Christmas Crafts for Kids
      • Christmas Crafts for Tweens & Teens
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • SHOP
  • RECIPES
  • FAMILY
  • FAITH
  • HEALTH
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    See More:   Copycat Recipes Desserts

    Last Modified: May 5, 2023 by Tara Gerner Leave a Comment

    No Churn Butter Pecan Ice Cream Recipe

    Facebook1PinterestTwitter
    1
    SHARE
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden Image

    No Churn Butter Pecan Ice Cream is easy to make at home without an ice cream machine. It's a simple egg-free vanilla ice cream filled with crunchy candied pecans and the best summer treat. Tastes better than store bought!

    no churn butter pecan ice cream in a waffle bowlPin

    When I was a little girl, my dad's favorite ice cream was butter pecan. I remember that he ordered it every time we went to the ice cream shop after dinner, and we always had a carton in the freezer.

    I was thinking of my dad when I created this no churn butter pecan ice cream recipe. I think he would approve because it's got just the right blend of salty and sweet and just the right blend of creamy and crunchy.

    Why this is the best no churn butter pecan ice cream

    I love no churn ice cream recipes because no ice cream maker is required. I have an ice cream maker, but I have to put the base in the freezer for 24 hours prior to using it, and it's sort of a pain. With no churn recipes like this one, I can whip up the ingredients and have them in the freezer in under 15 minutes and still enjoy the rich and creamy ice cream flavor that I love.

    When you toast pecans, they develop a rich, creamy flavor and a sweet, crunchy texture that complements the vanilla ice cream perfectly.

    This recipe doesn't require any egg yolks, making it a quick and easy alternative to traditional ice cream. There's no cooking required after you candy the pecans. The ice cream mixture is whipped, mixed, and frozen. That's all there is to it!

    What you'll need to make the best no churn butter pecan ice cream recipe

    EQUIPMENT

    • Food processor - I use a food processor to pulse the pecans, to make sure they are chopped up nicely. You could do this with a hand chopper or a sharp knife if you needed to.
    • Electric mixer - I use an electric mixer to whip the heavy cream. You could do this with a whisk if you had to, but you'll be beating the cream for 5-10 minutes.
    • Stand mixer - This is an alternate way to beat the cream. I prefer a hand mixer because it's easier than hauling my big stand mixer out of its hiding place in the kitchen.
    • Ice cream pan - You can freeze this ice cream in a loaf pan, as my photographer did in the photos below. However, if you plan to have any leftovers, you're going to need an airtight container to store the ice cream in or it will get icy and weird. The ice cream pan I've linked here has an airtight lid which makes it super easy and convenient to keep the ice cream fresh.

    INGREDIENTS

    no churn butter pecan ice cream ingredientsPin

    See printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for measurements and nutritional information.

    • Salted butter - If you don't have salted butter, no big deal. You can use unsalted butter and add an extra pinch of salt.
    • Chopped pecans - If your pecans are not already chopped, you can pulse them a few times in a food processor. You may want to pulse them regardless so that you have smaller pieces.
    • White sugar - You could substitute brown sugar if you needed to.
    • Heavy cream - This is also called heavy whipping cream, and it is the base of the ice cream. You can't make ice cream without it, and whole milk is not a suitable substitute.
    • Salt - This brings out the sweetness in the ice cream.
    • Vanilla bean paste - You can substitute an equal amount of vanilla extract, but first let me tell you why I prefer the paste. Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol and then removing the beans prior to bottling. Vanilla bean paste is made from actual crushed up vanilla beans (you can see them!) and has a stronger vanilla flavor. It also lacks the alcohol taste that sometimes is leftover when you use vanilla in uncooked foods.

    How to make no churn butter pecan ice cream

    1. If the pecans are not already in small pieces, add them to a food processor to chop. Pulse a few times to get a variety of sizes.
    2. To toast the pecans, add the chopped nuts to a medium skillet or saucepan with 4 tablespoons of butter and ¼ cup of sugar over medium-low heat.
      melt the butter and sugar with the chopped pecansPin
    3. Stir continuously while the butter melts, until the butter and sugar form a crust on the nuts.
      toast the pecans in butter and vanillaPin
    4. Set the glazed nuts aside to cool.
    5. Beat the heavy cream in a medium mixing bowl until soft peaks form. Do not over beat or the cream will turn into whipped cream (and then butter if you keep going - you don't want butter!).
      whipped cream in a white bowlPin
    6. Once soft peaks are formed, add the remaining sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat a bit more, but not too much.
      add the vanilla to the whipped creamPin
    7. Fold in the cooled buttered pecans into the ice cream base with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
      mix in the buttered pecans with the whipped creamPin
    8. Pour the butter pecan mixture into an airtight ice cream container and freeze for 6-8 hours or overnight.
      pour the ice cream mixture into a loaf panPin
    9. Add a couple of scoops to a waffle bowl with a drizzle of homemade hot fudge or caramel sauce and a dollop of whipped cream. Yum!
      no churn butter pecan ice cream in a waffle bowlPin

    Tips for the best no churn butter pecan ice cream

    Make sure your cream is super cold before you start. Don't let it sit on the counter while you toast the nuts.

    You can substitute almonds or walnuts for the pecans, if you prefer.

    Make sure you allow plenty of time for the ice cream to freeze. Six hours is ideal, but overnight also works.

    You can add a half teaspoon of cinnamon to the nuts and/or to the ice cream base to give your butter pecan a slightly different flavor.

    Do you have to toast the pecans to make butter pecan ice cream?

    Yes. If you don't toast and candy the pecans, they will get soggy in the ice cream mixture. It also gives them a caramelized flavor which is really nice in the vanilla ice cream base.

    How to store leftover butter pecan ice cream

    I prefer to use an airtight ice cream pan to store my ice cream, but if you've made it in a standard loaf pan, you'll need to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. The ice cream will stay good for a few weeks to a month in the freezer, but it really the best in the first week.

    If the ice cream has been in the freezer longer than overnight, you might have to let it soften at room temperature for 5-10 minutes prior to scooping.

    Try out these other delicious homemade ice cream recipes:

    • No Churn Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
    • No Churn Pineapple Ice Cream - Copycat Dole Whip Recipe
    • No Churn Rocky Road Ice Cream
    • No Churn Nutty Buddy Ice Cream
    • No Churn Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
    • No Churn Red Velvet Ice Cream with Cream Cheese
    • No Churn Cheesecake Ice Cream
    • Homemade Oreo Ice Cream Pie - Made with no churn Oreo ice cream
    • No Churn Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
    • Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe with No Eggs (requires an ice cream machine)
    • Homemade Root Beer Ice Cream (requires an ice cream machine)

    Recipe

    no churn butter pecan ice cream in a waffle bowl

    No Churn Butter Pecan Ice Cream

    No Churn Butter Pecan Ice Cream is easy to make at home without an ice cream machine. It's a simple egg-free vanilla ice cream filled with crunchy candied pecans and the best summer treat. Tastes better than store bought!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Freezing time 6 hours hrs
    Total Time 6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 540 kcal

    Equipment

    • Food processor
    • Electric mixer
    • Stand mixer
    • Ice cream pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 tablespoons salted butter
    • 1 cup pecans chopped
    • 1 cup white sugar divided
    • 3 cups heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or equal amount vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • If the pecans are not already in small pieces, add them to a food processor to chop. Pulse a few times to get a variety of sizes.
    • Add the chopped nuts to a medium skillet with 4 tablespoons of butter and ¼ cup of sugar over medium heat. Stir continuously until butter and sugar forms a crust on the nuts.
    • Set the nuts aside to cool.
    • Beat the heavy cream in a medium mixing bowl until soft peaks form. Do not over beat or the cream will turn into whipped cream (and then butter if you keep going - you don't want butter!).
    • Once soft peaks are formed, add the remaining sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat a bit more, but not too much.
    • Fold in the cooled buttered pecans.
    • Place butter pecan mixture into an airtight ice cream container and freeze for 6-8 hours or overnight.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 360mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 1494IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Keyword ice cream, pecans
    Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Follow @FeelsLikeHome or tag #FeelsLikeHomeBlog!
    Facebook1PinterestTwitter
    1
    SHARE

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tara.

    Harrisburg PA mom blogger Tara Ziegmont
    I'm passionate about helping women to care for themselves and their families by offering a combination of easy & delicious recipes, family fun ideas, and Christian inspiration. If you're tired of feeling so weary and uninspired, you're in good company.

    If you don’t like cooking or don’t think you can cook, you're in the right place. Feels Like Home is all about simple recipes, and I promise you, ANYONE can make them! No one will ever question your cooking ability again.

    I'm so glad you're here!

    Read more about me...

    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram LinkedIn email me

    Recent posts:

    Indonesian peanut butter chicken stir fry with green beans over noodles with chopsticks

    Indonesian Peanut Butter Chicken

    a close up of a plate full of Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

    Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

    a scoop of cheese chicken hash brown casserole on a wooden spoon

    Cheesy Chicken Hashbrown Casserole

    a close up of mild Buffalo Chicken Dip with Frank's RedHot Sauce

    Mild Frank's RedHot Buffalo Chicken Dip

    AS SEEN ON

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Popular Recipes

    BLT salad with croutons on a white plate
    BLT SALAD WITH HOMEMADE DRESSING

    filet mignon with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and lemon butter sauce
    FILET MIGNON WITH GOAT CHEESE, SUN-DRIED TOMATOES, AND LEMON BUTTER SAUCE

    homemade Thin Mints on a white plate
    HOMEMADE THIN MINTS

    Fruity Pebbles cake on a wooden cake board
    FRUITY PEBBLES CAKE

    world's best chili with bacon in a white bowl topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped bacon
    WORLD'S BEST CHILI WITH BACON

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility
    • No AI

    As seen on

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Contact Tara


    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy.

    All content provided on Feels Like Home Blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this site makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.

    Copyright © 2007-2023 Feels Like Home Blog  | No content on this site, including text and photos, may be reused in any fashion without written permission.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    SettingsAccept
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT