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+ servings
Three scoops of creamy homemade pinon ice cream in a black bowl.
Callie Brooks

Pinon ice cream Recipe

Two irresistible ways to make homemade Piñon Ice Cream—choose the rich traditional custard base or an easy no-churn version with just a few ingredients.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 7 hours
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Southwestern
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Traditional Custard Recipe:
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 large egg yolks room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar divided
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup toasted piñon nuts
For the Easy No-Churn Recipe:
  • 2 cups heavy cream very cold
  • 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk, chilled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup toasted piñon nuts

Method
 

Toast the Piñon Nuts:
  1. Place the piñon nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Cool completely.
  2.  
Heat the Dairy and Sugar (Custard):
  1. In a saucepan, warm heavy cream, milk, and half the sugar until steaming. Do not boil.
  2.  
Whisk Yolks and Remaining Sugar:
  1. In a bowl, whisk yolks and the remaining sugar until pale and thick.
  2.  
Temper the Eggs:
  1. Slowly whisk some hot cream into yolks, then return the mixture to the pot.
  2.  
Cook the Custard:
  1. Stir constantly on low heat until it coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
  2.  
Strain and Chill:
  1. Strain the custard into a clean bowl. Stir in vanilla and salt. Cool, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
  2.  
Churn and Freeze:
  1. Churn in an ice cream maker. Add piñon nuts during the last few minutes. Freeze 2+ hours before serving.
  2.  
No-Churn Version:
  1. Whip cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold in sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, salt, and piñon nuts. Freeze in container for 6 hours or until firm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 cupCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 5gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 65mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20g

Notes

You can use a blender to roughly chop the piñon nuts if you want smaller bits in every bite.
Chill your mixing bowl before whipping the cream for best no-churn results.

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