Butter Pecan Ice Cream

This rich buttery ice cream sure beats store-bought versions. And with its pretty color and plentiful pecan crunch, it's nice enough to serve guests at a summer party.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup  chopped pecans
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups half-and-half cream
• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 2  eggs, lightly beaten
• 1⁄2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a small skillet, toast pecans in butter for 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.
2. In a heavy saucepan, heat half-and-half to 175°; stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. Whisk a small amount of hot cream mixture into the eggs; return all to the pan, whisking constantly, Cook and stir over low heat until mixture reaches at least 160° and coats the back of a metal spoon.
3. Remove from the heat. Cool quickly by placing pan in a bowl of ice water; stir for 2 minutes. Stir in whipping cream and vanilla. Press plastic wrap onto the surface of custard. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Stir in toasted pecans.
4. Fill cylinder of ice cream freezer two-thirds full; freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Refrigerate remaining mixture until ready to freeze. Allow to ripen in ice cream freezer or firm up in the refrigerator freezer for 2-4 hours before serving.