Best Pinon Ice Cream Recipe: Easy, Homemade & Authentic

Name: Pinon Ice Cream Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 270 min
Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk; 2 cups heavy cream; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 4 egg yolks; 1/2 cup pine nuts (toasted and chopped)

Have you ever tried making Pinon Ice Cream at home? This delicious dessert features the rich, nutty flavor of toasted pine nuts blended into a creamy ice cream base. It’s a delightful treat that’s perfect for warm days, family gatherings, or any time you want to indulge in something special.

Making pinon ice cream is not only easy but also fun! With just a few simple ingredients like heavy cream, whole milk, and sugar, you can whip up a batch in no time. The process involves toasting the pine nuts to enhance their flavor and creating a smooth custard base. Once chilled and churned, this ice cream becomes a creamy dessert that everyone will enjoy.

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Why do we love this recipe?

If you love delicious treats, then you understand that food can bring happiness and comfort. This is definitely the case with Pinon Ice Cream, which is a great choice for sharing with friends or enjoying on a hot day. With its creamy texture and rich flavor from toasted pine nuts, it stands out as a special dessert for anyone who enjoys unique ice cream. There are many reasons to love this ice cream, including:

Combines the rich, buttery flavor of toasted pine nuts with creamy ice cream.
Offers a unique twist on traditional ice cream flavors.
Easy to make at home with simple ingredients.
Creates a special, indulgent dessert perfect for any occasion.
The balance of nutty and sweet flavors makes it satisfying and memorable.

Key Notes

Serving	Calories	Prep. Time	Cook Time	Chill Time	Total Time
4	253 kcal	15 Mins	15 Mins	4 Hrs.	4 Hrs. 30 Mins

Kitchen utensils

Medium saucepan
Whisk
Mixing bowl
Measuring cups & spoons
Ice cream maker
Spatula
Airtight container

Pinon Ice Cream Recipe ingredients

1 cup whole milk	Check Price
2 cups heavy cream	Check Price
3/4 cup granulated sugar	Check Price
1/2 tsp vanilla extract	Check Price
4 egg yolks	Check Price
1/2 cup pine nuts (toasted and chopped)	Check Price

Making Pinon Ice Cream Recipe

Toast the Pine Nuts: Heat a dry pan over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and stir them frequently until they turn golden and smell nice. Let them cool, then chop them into smaller pieces.
Heat the Milk and Sugar: In a medium saucepan, pour the whole milk and add the sugar. Heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves. Don’t let it boil.
Whisk the Egg Yolks: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth. Slowly add a little of the warm milk mixture to the egg yolks while whisking constantly. This helps to warm up the yolks without cooking them.
Mix the Yolks into the Milk: Slowly pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk. Stir it constantly over low heat until the mixture thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Be careful not to overheat.
Cool the Mixture: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Let the mixture cool down, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until it’s completely chilled.
Churn the Ice Cream: Once the mixture is cold, pour it into an ice cream maker and churn according to the instructions for your machine. In the last few minutes of churning, add the chopped toasted pine nuts.
Freeze: When the ice cream is done churning, transfer it to a container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
Serve and Enjoy: Scoop out your creamy, homemade pinon ice cream and enjoy the rich, nutty flavor.

Tips for better results

Making Pinon Ice Cream is easy and quick, but if you want to speed up the process, I have some great tips for you! With just a few simple tricks, you can save time without sacrificing flavor. These ideas will help you whip up this delicious ice cream even faster while making sure it turns out creamy and tasty every time. Here are my top tips for getting excellent results in no time:

Toast Pine Nuts Carefully: Keep a close eye on the pine nuts while toasting them. They can burn quickly, so stir them constantly and remove them from the heat as soon as they turn golden.
Chill the Mixture Properly: Make sure the ice cream mixture is completely chilled before churning. This helps the ice cream set better and gives a smoother texture.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality heavy cream, milk, and pine nuts for the best flavor and creamy texture.
Don’t Overcook the Egg Yolks: When mixing the egg yolks with the milk, cook on low heat and stir constantly. Overcooking can cause the mixture to curdle.
Freeze for Firmness: After churning, allow the ice cream to freeze for at least 4 hours to reach the perfect, scoopable texture.
Customize Your Nuts: You can toast the pine nuts more or less depending on how strong you want their flavor. Adjust to your preference.

Serving suggestions

Serving suggestions can make your Piñon Ice Cream even more delightful and add a fun touch to your dessert. To make your ice cream experience even better, I’ve put together some simple ideas for snacks and treats that pair wonderfully with it. Here are a few suggestions to enhance your enjoyment:

Storage guidelines

To keep your Pinon Ice Cream fresh and delicious for later, it’s essential to store it properly. Good storage helps maintain its creamy texture and rich flavor. Here are some simple tips to store your ice cream the right way:

Use an Airtight Container: Store the pine nuts ice cream in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing any freezer odors.
Cover with Plastic Wrap: For extra freshness, place a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice cream before putting on the container lid. This helps prevent ice crystals from forming.
Freeze Immediately: After making the ice cream, freeze it right away to keep it fresh and maintain its creamy texture.
Best Used Within 2 Weeks: For the best taste and texture, enjoy your piñon icecream within 1-2 weeks.
Let it Soften Before Serving: When ready to eat, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly for easier scooping.

FAQs

Yes, you can substitute pine nuts with other nuts like almonds or pecans, but the flavor will be different. Pine nuts have a unique taste that makes this ice cream special.

While an ice cream maker gives the best texture, you can make this recipe without one. Just freeze the mixture in a container and stir every 30 minutes until it reaches a creamy consistency.

For the best flavor and texture, enjoy the ice cream within 1-2 weeks. It may last longer, but ice crystals could form after that time.

Yes, you can try a custard-free version by skipping the eggs and making a simpler ice cream base with just milk, cream, and sugar, but the texture may be less rich and creamy.

Toast them in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring often until they are golden and fragrant. Be careful as they can burn quickly.

Conclusion

In my final words, Pinon ice cream is a delicious and unique treat with its rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture. It’s easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re serving it at a special occasion or enjoying it as a sweet snack, this ice cream is sure to impress. With the right steps and a few helpful tips, you’ll have a homemade dessert everyone will love.

Pinon Ice Cream Recipe

Pinon ice cream is a delicious and unique treat with its rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture. It's easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re serving it at a special occasion or enjoying it as a sweet snack, this ice cream is sure to impress.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Chill Time 4

Total Time 4 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 253 kcal

Equipment

Medium saucepan
Whisk & Mixing bowl
Measuring Cups & Spoons
Ice cream maker
Spatula
Airtight container

Ingredients

1 cup whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup pine nuts toasted and chopped

Instructions

Heat a dry pan over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and stir them frequently until they turn golden and smell nice. Let them cool, then chop them into smaller pieces.
In a medium saucepan, pour the whole milk and add the sugar. Heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves. Don’t let it boil.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth. Slowly add a little of the warm milk mixture to the egg yolks while whisking constantly. This helps to warm up the yolks without cooking them.
Slowly pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk. Stir it constantly over low heat until the mixture thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Be careful not to overheat.
Remove the pan from heat and stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Let the mixture cool down, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until it’s completely chilled.
Once the mixture is cold, pour it into an ice cream maker and churn according to the instructions for your machine. In the last few minutes of churning, add the chopped toasted pine nuts.
When the ice cream is done churning, transfer it to a container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
Scoop out your creamy, homemade pinon ice cream and enjoy the rich, nutty flavor.