I’ve always had a soft spot for peaches. They remind me of late-summer afternoons, sticky fingers from juice-dripping slices, and trips to roadside fruit stands. So when I got my hands on a basket of perfectly ripe peaches, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: turn them into the creamiest ice cream imaginable.

But I didn’t stop at just peach — I wanted something with crunch and richness. Enter: toasted pecans. Add a ribbon of caramel drizzle on top, and suddenly, you’ve got a bowl of sunshine and comfort in every scoop.

This creamy peach ice cream with pecan chunks is my love letter to summer. It’s indulgent without being too heavy, familiar but still exciting, and incredibly easy to make at home — no churn option included!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Made with real peaches – No artificial flavoring, just juicy, ripe fruit
Ultra creamy texture – Thanks to a custard-style base
Toasted pecan crunch – Adds depth, nuttiness, and texture
Topped with caramel – Sweet, buttery, and indulgent
Perfect for summer – Fresh, cool, and made to be shared
Make-ahead friendly – Ideal for cookouts, parties, or prepping dessert in advance

Ingredients List:

heavy cream
whole milk
granulated sugar
egg yolks
vanilla extract
salt
ripe peaches
lemon juice
toasted pecan chunks
caramel sauce

There Are 5 Steps To Making This Recipe:

Step 1: Cook the Custard Base

In a saucepan, combine milk, cream, and half the sugar. Heat over medium until steaming (don’t boil). In a bowl, whisk egg yolks with remaining sugar until pale and smooth. Slowly pour the hot cream into the yolks while whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (170–175°F). Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Let cool, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 2: Prepare the Peach Puree

In a small saucepan, combine chopped peaches, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until peaches break down and the mixture thickens slightly (about 10 minutes). Let cool, then puree in a blender or mash with a fork for a chunkier texture. Chill until cold.

Step 3: Toast the Pecans

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 6–8 minutes. Let cool, then chop roughly.

Step 4: Churn the Ice Cream

Combine chilled custard and peach puree. Pour into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions (usually about 20–25 minutes). In the last few minutes, add toasted pecans.

Step 5: Freeze & Serve

Transfer to a loaf pan or airtight container. Drizzle in caramel if desired and swirl gently. Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving. Scoop into bowls, top with caramel drizzle and fresh peach slices.

Tips to Make This Recipe Your Own:

Go chunky: Reserve some diced peach pieces and stir them in with the pecans for texture.
Boozy twist: Add a splash of bourbon or rum into the peach puree for a grown-up dessert.
No ice cream maker? Whip 2 cups of heavy cream, fold in sweetened condensed milk and chilled peach puree, then freeze.
Make it gluten-free: Ensure your caramel sauce and add-ins are certified GF.
Want more crunch? Add crushed vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies before serving.

Storage Tips:

Freeze in a lidded container for up to 2 weeks.
Place plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing to prevent ice crystals.
Let sit at room temp for 5–10 minutes before scooping for perfect texture.

Substitution Tips:

Peaches: Use nectarines, apricots, or frozen peaches if fresh aren’t in season.
Dairy-free: Swap with coconut cream and almond milk. Use a non-dairy caramel topping.
No eggs: Replace custard base with sweetened condensed milk + whipped cream for a no-churn version.
Nut-free: Leave out pecans or replace with chopped white chocolate.

Final Thoughts:

This creamy peach ice cream with pecan chunks is what summer tastes like. It’s rich and silky from the custard base, full of real peach flavor, and perfectly offset by buttery pecans and gooey caramel. The fresh peach garnish adds a burst of color and brightness that makes it worthy of any dessert table.

Whether you scoop it into a cone or serve it in sundae glasses with all the toppings, this recipe delivers everything you love about homemade ice cream — with a fresh, fruity twist.

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