No-Churn Butter Pecan Fudge Ripple Ice Cream
Butter Pecan Ice Cream swirled with ribbons of chocolate is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Full of buttery nuts and a velvety fudge ripple through a creamy no-churn ice cream base, forget just a scoop, you’ll want a big bowl for dessert. And it doesn’t get any easier since you don’t even need an ice cream machine!
I love my mom. Even when she drives me crazy. I mean, I think that is part of a mom’s job, and most of the things that make me nuts are also the things that I love most about her.
No matter where we go, we see someone she knows, and she just has to stop and talk. And talk. Then talk some more. But it is because she is so friendly, approachable, and truly cares about people.
She is always giving my boys food and toys and stuff that I think they don’t need. But that is because she just adores them so much.
If I am cooking or eating or doing anything in the kitchen, she starts cleaning up before I am even done, not even asking if I am still using the stuff that is out. But, hey, she’s cleaning up after me, so I’ll take it.
Honestly, these are some of the traits I wish I had inherited from her – her more laid back, outgoing, neat-freak personality.
But what did I inherit from her? A total love of ice cream, and I’m not mad about it.
So today, to honor my mom, I’m making ice cream. Butter pecan ice cream, to be exact, since that is her favorite.
But when I was chatting with her and brainstorming the recipe, she said she wanted chocolate, too.
And that is how Fudge Ripple Butter Pecan Ice Cream was born.
What is butter pecan ice cream?
Butter pecan is an all-American flavor you’ll often find in cookies cakes and other desserts that combines pecans, butter, and vanilla to add rich, nutty, buttery flavors to those treats. But perhaps most popularly it is found in ice cream.
Butter pecan ice cream starts with a vanilla base, then adds the butter and nuts. It may not rank quite as high as chocolate and vanilla, but it does always end up near the top of the list of Americans favorite flavors.
You’ll find many brands have their own version from Baskin Robbins to Haagen-Dazs, and even Ben & Jerry’s (though you’ll have to go to a Scoop Shop because they don’t have it in cartons).
How do you make no-churn ice cream?
No-churn ice cream is an easy way to make your favorite frozen dessert even if you don’t have an ice cream maker. The base is made from folding sweetened condensed milk into whipped heavy cream and freezing it.
But before you freeze it, you can add any of your favorite flavors and mix-ins. Keep it simple with vanilla extract or cocoa powder. Have some fun with Birthday Cake Ice Cream. Or even go with a seasonal flavor like Pumpkin Ice Cream.
No-Churn Butter Pecan Fudge Ripple Ice Cream Recipe
That chocolate mom wanted was added in the form of a swirly ribbon of fudge just winding it’s way through the rich, creamy, dreamy no-churn ice cream. It is studded with crunchy pecans that had been toasted in some lightly browned butter for added nuttiness and a little salty flavor to balance all of the sweet goodness.
Oh yessssss! You don’t have to do much more than whip some cream, brown some butter, and throw it in the freezer. Seriously, people, try this easy ice cream recipe. Yeah, it’s rich. Yeah, it’s indulgent. But these are the sacrifices I make for my mom.
Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details.
But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!
Ingredients
For the butter pecans
- Unsalted butter
- Pecans – halved or chopped
- Kosher salt
- Pure vanilla extract
For the fudge ripple
- Water
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Light corn syrup
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the ice cream
- Sweetened condensed milk – you cannot replace this with evaporated milk but fat free sweetened condensed milk does work.
- Heavy cream – do not substitute with light cream or half and half as it will not whip to soft peaks the same way and you will not get a creamy ice cream.
BRIANNE RECOMMENDS:
- A hand mixer with a whisk attachment makes it quicker and easier to whip your cream, though a whisk works too (and burns off some of those ice cream calories). No need to break out the big Kitchenaid mixer for this recipe.
- I’m a big fan of this ice cream scoop because it digs in well even if your ice cream is a little hard.
- I find these no-churn ice cream recipes always fit nicely into a 9 inch loaf pan. Though they do make some nice insulated ice cream containers for storing homemade ice cream.
Directions overview – scroll to the recipe card for the full set of instructions
For the butter pecans
- In a small pan, melt the butter and cook while stirring until it turns a light golden brown. Watch closely to ensure the butter doesn’t burn.
- Add the pecans and salt, and toss until the pecans toast slightly.
- Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
For the fudge ripple
- Whisk together the water, cocoa powder, and corn syrup in a small pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips.
- Cool at least to room temperature.
For the ice cream
- Pour the heavy cream in a large bowl and beat until stiff peaks are formed.
- Gently fold in the sweetened condensed milk, followed by the pecans.
- Pour the ice cream mixture into a freezer-safe container and swirl in the fudge with a knife or skewer.
- Cover and freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight.
Brianne’s pro recipe tips
To be able to whip the cream to soft peaks without over-churning it, the heavy cream should be very cold. I also recommend using a metal bowl and putting your bowl and beaters in the fridge or freezer. The colder everything is, the easier it will whip up without overbeating.
You want to gently fold the sweetened condensed milk and pecans into the whipped cream to avoid deflating it. This produces creamier ice cream.
FAQs
The base of no-churn ice cream is just heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk, which are both naturally gluten free. So as long as all of your additional ingredients that you use to flavor and mix into the ice cream are gluten free, then you have a gluten free ice cream.
In this recipe, again, all of the ingredients are naturally gluten free. Occasionally some lower quality brands of vanilla extract or chocolate chips may add colors or flavors that are not gluten free, so do be sure to read the labels.
This will depend somewhat on how cold your freezer is and the dimensions of your container. But generally I recommend leaving it in the freezer for at least 4 to 6 hours. Though usually I will make it the day before I plan to eat it so it can freeze overnight.
If you’ve put the ice cream in the freezer overnight, you may need to let it sit out for a couple of minutes to make it easier to scoop.
More no-churn ice cream recipes
- Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel Ice Cream
- No-Churn Cheesecake Ice Cream
- Graham Cracker Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
- Nutella Brownie Ice Cream
- Bana-Nutella Chip Ice Cream
- No-Machine Caramel Swirl Ice Cream from Wine & Glue
Browned Butter Pecan Fudge Ripple No-Churn Ice Cream
Ingredients
For the butter pecans:
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup halved or chopped pecans
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
For the fudge ripple:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the ice cream:
- 1 pint heavy cream, well chilled
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- one 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
For the butter pecans:
- In a small pan over low heat, gradually melt the butter and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until it turns a light golden brown. Watch closely to ensure the butter doesn’t burn.
- Add the pecans and salt, and toss until the pecans toast slightly, another few minutes, again watching closely to avoid burning the butter.
- Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
For the fudge ripple:
- Whisk together the water, cocoa powder, and corn syrup in a small pot.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and add the chocolate chips. Stir until smooth.
- Place in the refrigerator until ready to use, cooling at least to room temperature.
For the ice cream:
- Pour the heavy cream in a large bowl and add the vanilla extract. Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat until stiff peaks are formed.
- Gently fold in the sweetened condensed milk until almost completely mixed in, though you will still see some streaks. Do not overmix. Then fold in the pecans.
- Pour half of the ice cream mixture into a freezer-safe container and top with about half of the fudge ripple mixture. Swirl with a knife or skewer.
- Top with the remaining ice cream mixture and fudge ripple mixture, and swirl with a knife or skewer.
- Cover and freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight.
Nutrition
Enjoy!
Mom’s favorite recipes from from of my favorite bloggers
- Coconut Cupcakes from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- German Apple Cake from Magnolia Days
- Baked Lemon Pasta with Broccoli and Shrimp from What Smells So Good
- Cinnamon Pear Cake from Roxana’s Home Baking
- Strawberry Whiskey Sour from Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Huevos Rancheros from Crumb Blog
- Triple Lemon Cake from Created by Diane
- Lemon Thyme Shortbread from Jen’s Favorite Cookies
- Pineapple Coconut Sweet Rolls from Pineapple and Coconut
- Caramilk Stuffed No-Knead Brioche from Gotta Get Baked
- Mom’s World Famous Sponge Cake from Hungry Couple NYC
DON’T MISS OUT! MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ME FOR YUMMY RECIPES!
Christal says
This looks like a true masterpiece! I can’t wait to give it a try!!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
It was pretty fabulous! Thanks and enjoy!
Kim @ The Cookie Puzzle says
This looks simply divine! Your mother has wonderful taste in ice cream…and you are an amazing daughter for making this for her!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
She does, and I do my best! 🙂
Kat Clayton (@ClaytonKitchn) says
This looks so good and being from a family of pecan orchard owners, I love anything with pecans in it! Especially ice cream! Pinning this!
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
Love this ice cream, Pinned it!
Brianne Izzo says
Thank you!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
lol my mom is insanely talkative too!!!! I love that you made this ice cream-it looks like…insanely delicious. I love browned butter, all the time, and pecan fudge ripple???! SHUT UP!
[email protected] says
I’m on a pecan kick lately, so this ice cream is screaming for me to make it!! 🙂 It sounds amazing!!
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks Jocelyn! Pecans work so well with spring and summer fruits, too, like berries and peaches!
Keisha says
yummy! yummy! yummy! I need some of this right now
Isabelle @ Crumb says
You had me at “browned butter” (and at “fudge ripple”… and also at “ice cream”… what can I say? I’m easy like that.) 🙂
I can totally relate to your relationship with your mom, though I think that’s mostly because mothers always drive their daughters just a little bit crazy. I know I get along much better with mine now that we’re a 5 hour drive apart! We usually see eye-to-eye when it comes to food, though…. so this ice cream would totally get her stamp of approval. 🙂
Kayla says
This looks delicious! I love the way it looks, and I bet it would taste even better!
Brianne Izzo says
Oh my gosh, it tastes incredible, I must say! Thanks!
Susan says
I agree that your mom has good taste in desserts! Also isn’t it the grandmothers duty to give their grandkids things they shouldn’t have?
Brianne Izzo says
Yes, I am trying to chill out and let her spoil them!
Carla says
Ha I can totally relate to the cleaning up while I’m in the kitchen part. Especially when she dries the dishes in the dish rack and when she realizes she doesn’t know where the oddball stuff goes, she either lays them on the the table or back on the counter. But hey, clean dishes right? LOL She (and me!) loves ice cream too. Maybe it’s a mom-daughter thing 😉
Brianne Izzo says
My mom will wash the stuff, and then build up a precariously teetering mountain of clean, wet dishes in the dish rack that I am always worried about knocking over when I am still working in the kitchen! But then we go eat ice cream and it’s all good!
Sarah says
I’ll say your mom has good taste in desserts!
Brianne Izzo says
She totally does! I loved her addition of chocolate.
Anita at Hungry Couple says
Seriously yum. I inherited quite a few traits from my mom and love of ice cream is definitely one of them. 🙂
Brianne Izzo says
Must be a girl thing 🙂
Diane {Created by Diane} says
oh I can’t wait to make this..or request my family to make it for me on Mother’s day sounds like maybe a really fun option!
Brianne Izzo says
Oooh, I definitely need to teach my boys to make ice cream for me when they are a bit older. Great idea!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
I wish I knew your mom, Brianne, because she sounds like so much fun! And from getting to know you through your blog and on social media, you’re awesome and more social than you’re giving yourself credit for. At least you definitely inherited her love of ice cream! This is an amazing combination of flavours and textures. I was drooling when I was reading your description of the ice cream and then these photos. Be still my gurgling stomach! This looks rich and creamy and decadent, all the things ice cream should be. And I see that you froze the cups you put the ice cream in – that’s so smart! I always end up with puddles within five minutes of trying to photograph ice cream. I’ll try doing that the next time. I hope you and your mom have a wonderful Mothers Day!
Brianne Izzo says
Aw, thanks Nancy! You are sweet! Actually I scooped the ice cream then froze it in the cups for a bit. It gives you a little more time when the scoops are frozen solid. But I do like to get some melty shots, too!
Liz says
My mom has a sweet tooth, too, and I know she’d love your amazing ice cream!!!
Brianne Izzo says
Sweet tooths (teeth?) for sweet moms!
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
Holy moly, this stuff looks fantastic. I wish you were bring this ice cream to my house on Mothers Day!
Brianne Izzo says
I wish I could share it with all of my bloggy friends!
Renee says
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could pick and choose the traits we inherit from our mom. One I know I inherited is her love for chocolate. She would very much enjoy this ice cream (as ice cream is one of her favorite treats).
Brianne Izzo says
Yes, I guess we just have to work to develop those traits we don’t have naturally.