maple walnut ice cream recipe
Author: 
Recipe type: dessert
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 1 quart
 
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces unsalted walnuts, divided
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • ¾ cup darkest grade maple syrup
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste (I used ¾ teaspoon)
  • Special equipment: ice cream maker that holds 1 quart or more, chilled for at least 24 hours in advance
Instructions
  1. Dry toast 4 ounces of the chopped walnuts until fragrant and nutty smelling. Set aside.
  2. Bring cream and milk to simmer, off the heat, and add the walnuts. Allow to steep for 1 to 2 hours at room temperature.
  3. In a heavy saucepan, mix together egg yolks and maple syrup using a whisk. Strain the walnut-cream mixture into the yolks. In the original recipe it is recommended that the steeped walnuts are discarded. No!! Mix a small amount of brown sugar into them and toast to dry them out a bit. They make a great snack or you can garnish the ice cream with them.
  4. Whisk and cook yolk/cream mixture over medium heat to thicken. The goal is custard: if the back of a wooden spoon is coated with the mixture and you can run a path across the back of the spoon with your finger OR an instant read thermometer reads 170 degrees F, then it's ready.
  5. Pour this mixture through a fine sieve into a storage bowl. You can chill overnight in the fridge or over a bowl of ice until cold. I like the overnight step to ensure everything is really cold.
  6. Retrieve your cold ice cream maker bowl and pour in the chilled mixture to process. Process until fairly thick then add in chopped toasted walnuts to mix briefly. Store ice cream in freezer safe glass bowl with airtight lid. Freeze for about four hours before serving. Many homemade ice creams are rock hard after being in the freezer for an extended period. This is not one of them. It will remain soft enough, though with some muscle, to scoop even after hours in the freezer. Garnish with more toasted or sweetened walnuts.
Recipe by story of a kitchen at https://www.storyofakitchen.com/dessert-recipes/maple-walnut-ice-cream-recipe/