No-Churn Butter Pecan Fudge Ripple Ice Cream

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This No-Churn Butter Pecan Fudge Ripple Ice Cream is rich, creamy, and loaded with sweet and salty flavor. You get buttery toasted pecans in every bite, plus a smooth swirl of homemade fudge. It doesn’t get any easier since you don’t even need a machine, but it tastes like it came from your favorite ice cream shop!

Looking at the top of a dish of butter pecan ice cream with fudge ripples.
  • Cuisine Inspiration: American
  • Primary Cooking Method: No-bake
  • Dietary Info: Gluten-free
  • Skill Level: Easy

No-Churn Butter Pecan Ice Cream – With a Fudge Ripple!

One of America’s favorite ice cream flavors, butter pecan ice cream starts with a vanilla base and adds buttery pecans to enhance the rich deliciousness. It also happens to be my mom’s favorite! However, when I mentioned I was making her a batch of homemade butter pecan ice cream, she said, “How about adding some chocolate, too?” And that’s how this Butter Pecan Fudge Ripple Ice Cream was born.

Oh yessssss! You don’t have to do much more than whip some cream, brown some butter, and throw it in the freezer – it’s so easy. Yeah, it’s rich. Yeah, it’s indulgent. But these are the sacrifices I make for my mom. Here’s why you have to try it…

  • Versatile base. No-churn ice cream 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.
  • Fantastic flavors. A swirly ribbon of fudge winds its way through the dreamy base, and it is studded with crunchy pecans that have been toasted in some lightly browned butter for added nuttiness and a little salty flavor to balance all of the sweet goodness.
  • Naturally gluten free. Yep, no ingredient swaps needed here! Though I will advise you to check your pecans, as some are processed where there is a cross-contact risk.
A closeup of a glass sundae dish of butter pecan fudge ripple ice cream.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this fudgy butter pecan ice cream recipe. Read on for some of my top tips. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full amounts and step-by-step instructions.

For the butter pecans

  • Unsalted butter. If you only have salted, just omit the added salt.
  • Pecans. Halved or chopped, depending on how chunky you like your ice cream.
  • Kosher salt.
  • Vanilla extract.

For the fudge ripple

  • Water.
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder. Hershey’s or Nestle are fine, you don’t need anything fancy.
  • 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. Make sure it is well chilled.
A dish of fudge swirl ice cream on a blue coaster with a spoon next to it.

Quick Tips

  • Watch it closely. Make sure you add the pecans when the butter turns a light golden brown, and just toast for a couple of minutes afterwards. You want both the pecans and butter to emit a nutty aroma, but you don’t want to burn the butter or it will taste bitter.
  • Chill out. 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.
  • Speed things up. 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.
  • Take care. You want to gently fold the sweetened condensed milk and pecans into the whipped cream to avoid deflating it. This produces creamier ice cream.
  • Use the right size container. 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.
  • Freeze thoroughly. The time it needs to freeze will depend somewhat on how cold your freezer is and the dimensions of your container. 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.
  • Scoop and serve. 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. I’m a big fan of this ice cream scoop because it digs in well, even if your ice cream is a little hard.
  • Make it last. If somehow you don’t devour this ice cream in a matter of days, you will want to make sure you wrap it very tightly with plastic wrap or otherwise create an airtight seal. This minimizes ice crystals and helps preserve the texture and flavor, since it does not contain preservatives or stabilizers like some store-bought ice cream. I recommend enjoying it within a month.
A dish of fudge swirl ice cream on a blue coaster with a spoon next to it.
5 from 1 vote

No-Churn Butter Pecan Fudge Ripple Ice Cream

Indulge in creamy No-Churn Butter Pecan Fudge Ripple Ice Cream with toasty nuts and a homemade fudge ripple – no machine needed! Just mix, freeze, and enjoy the chunks, swirls, and sweet summer vibes.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Freezing time 6 hours
Servings: 16 servings

Ingredients

For the butter pecans:

  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup halved or chopped pecans
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

For the fudge ripple:

For the ice cream:

  • 1 pint heavy cream , well chilled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

For the butter pecans:

  • In a small pan over low heat, gradually melt t3 Tablespoons unsalted 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 1 cup halved or chopped pecans and 1/2 teaspoon Kosher 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 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and 1/4 cup light corn syrup in a small saucepan.
  • 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 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. Stir until smooth.
  • Place in the refrigerator until ready to use, cooling at least to room temperature.

For the ice cream:

  • Pour 1 pint heavy cream in a large bowl and add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat until stiff peaks are formed.
  • Gently fold in a 14 oz. can 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 Facts
No-Churn Butter Pecan Fudge Ripple Ice Cream
Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)
Calories 286 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 10g50%
Cholesterol 46mg15%
Sodium 122mg5%
Potassium 102mg3%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 22g24%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 565IU11%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 121mg12%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.

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32 Comments
  1. Kat Clayton (@ClaytonKitchn)

    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!

  2. 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. 🙂

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