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Ultra-Creamy Pistachio Ice Cream

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 16 hours
Total Time 16 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 1 Quart
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

Ice Cream Base
  • 1 3/4 cups 400 g whole milk, divided
  • 1 3/4 cups 400 g heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp 120 g granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp 40 g glucose syrup or light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup 25 g nonfat dry milk powder
  • 5 large egg yolks 90 g
  • 1/2 cup 68 g roasted unsalted pistachios
  • 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons 220 g Nuuva pistachio spread
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract
For Serving
  • Chopped roasted pistachios
  • Flaky sea salt

Equipment

  • Ice cream maker
  • Blender
  • Medium saucepan
  • Digital kitchen scale
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Instant read thermometer
  • Freezer safe container
  • Rubber spatula

Method
 

  1. Add 1/2 cup (68 g) roasted pistachios and 200 g (about 3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon) of the milk to a high-speed blender. Blend until as smooth as possible, then set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining 200 g (about 3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon) milk, 1 3/4 cups (400 g) heavy cream, 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons (120 g) sugar, 2 tablespoons (40 g) glucose syrup, 1/4 cup (25 g) milk powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Heat over medium heat until steaming.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the 5 egg yolks. Slowly stream some of the hot dairy mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly to temper them.
  4. Pour the tempered yolks back into the saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard reaches 170-175°F (77-79°C). Do not boil.
  5. Remove the custard from the heat. Add the reserved pistachio-milk mixture, 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (220 g) Nuuva pistachio spread, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. Blend with an immersion blender (or back into high speed blender) until completely smooth.
  6. Transfer the ice cream base to a container. Let cool on the counter for 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 12 hours.
  7. Before churning, whisk well to recombine anything that settled.
  8. Churn according to your ice cream maker's instructions until the ice cream reaches a thick soft-serve consistency.
  9. Transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 4-6 hours, or until scoopable.
  10. To serve, finish with chopped pistachios and a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt.

Notes

  • Blending real pistachios into the custard gives this ice cream a deeper, more authentic pistachio flavor.
  • The pistachio spread is blended directly into the base rather than swirled through to keep the texture exceptionally creamy.
  • Chilling the ice cream base overnight allows the fat molecules to fully solidify and gives the proteins time to hydrate. This aging process results in a smoother, creamier ice cream with improved body and texture.

Storage

 
Store homemade pistachio ice cream in an airtight, freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. For the creamiest texture, press a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper directly onto the surface of the ice cream before covering the container to help prevent ice crystals from forming.
Allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before scooping if it has been frozen for several days.