Maple Pecan Pie Ice Cream – A Cosy, Caramelised Thanksgiving Scoop

Creamy Maple Pecan Pie Ice Cream with caramelised maple swirls and buttery pecan crumble. A cosy Thanksgiving-inspired scoop perfect for autumn dessert lovers.

Some flavours just feel like a warm hug — and this is one of them. All the joy of a maple pecan pie… but in ice cream form. No rolling pastry, no baking, just pure buttery, maple-swirled comfort.

Whether you’re marking Thanksgiving across the pond, hosting friends for a cosy autumn get-together, or simply craving something sweet and soothing — this flavour brings all that “gather-round-the-table” nostalgia in one creamy scoop.

✅ In This Article, You’ll Find

✔️ Why maple + pecan pie is such a perfect autumn pairing
✔️ Maple Pecan Pie Ice Cream recipe
✔️ Step-by-step method for base, crumble & caramel swirl
✔️ Serving suggestions & dessert table ideas
✔️ Perfect pairings for autumn bakes
✔️ Variations including bourbon, chocolate & pie-crust crumble
✔️ Full dairy-free / vegan swaps table
✔️ Reader FAQ
✔️ Hand-picked related reads

If you’d prefer to head straight to our Maple Pecan Pie Ice Cream recipe, use the following link, or read along to find out more.

Maple, Pecan, and That Comforting “Get-Together” Energy

There’s something about late November that feels naturally cosy — soft jumpers, candlelight, warm desserts, and the kind of evenings where everyone lingers a little longer around the table.

In the US, Thanksgiving sets the tone… but here in the UK, we happily borrow the flavours without needing the holiday itself.

And honestly? Maple pecan pie might be one of the best dessert profiles to ever become an ice cream!

• Maple gives you that deep, smoky sweetness
• The pecan crumble brings crunch + caramelised buttery deliciousness
• A swirl of maple caramel ties the whole thing together

It’s warm, nutty, nostalgic — and so much easier than baking a pie.

Maple, Pecan Pie & Thanksgiving – A Perfect Seasonal Match

Before we dive into the recipe, it’s worth highlighting why this flavour feels so connected to late November celebrations — even here in the UK, where we’ve joyfully adopted the cosy parts of Thanksgiving without the turkey dinner.

Across the pond, pecan pie is one of the defining Thanksgiving desserts — buttery, nutty, sticky-sweet and served warm at almost every gathering. Maple syrup, meanwhile, is another North American classic, harvested in autumn and loved for its deep caramel notes.

Bringing those flavours together in an ice cream gives you:

✔️ all the nostalgia of a Thanksgiving dessert

✔️ the warmth of a homemade pie, without the baking

✔️ the perfect frozen treat to serve after a hearty seasonal meal

Whether you celebrate the holiday or simply love the flavours, this scoop captures that “gather round the table, it’s dessert time” feeling beautifully.

Ready to give this decadent recipe a try?

Maple Pecan Pie Ice Cream Recipe

A buttery pecan pie crumble folded into maple-sweetened ice cream with a ribbon of glossy maple caramel. Completely irresistible.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Freeze Time: 4–5 hours (or overnight) | Total Time: 5 hours | Servings: 6–8 scoops

Ingredients

For the Maple Ice Cream Base

• 450ml double cream
• 250ml whole milk
• 120ml pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• 4 egg yolks (for silky custard-style texture)

For the Butter Pecan Pie Crumble

• 100g pecans, roughly chopped
• 25g butter
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp soft brown sugar
• Pinch of sea salt
• 30g plain flour (helps create a “pie crust” crumble)

For the Maple Caramel Swirl

• 100g soft brown sugar
• 60ml maple syrup
• 1 tbsp butter
• 40ml double cream
• Pinch of salt

Method

1. Make the Maple Ice Cream Base

• Warm the cream, milk, and maple syrup gently in a saucepan — do not boil.
• In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks.
• Slowly add the warm mixture to the yolks to temper.
• Return to the pan and cook on low heat until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
• Stir in vanilla + sea salt.
• Cool completely, then chill for at least 1 hour.
• Churn according to your machine’s instructions (or freeze-and-stir for a no-churn version).

2. Make the Pecan Pie Crumble

• Add butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, flour, and salt to a small pan.
• Stir until the mixture becomes sandy.
• Add chopped pecans and stir for 2–3 minutes until toasty and fragrant.
• Spread onto a baking sheet to cool — it will crisp as it rests.

3. Make the Maple Caramel Swirl

• Add sugar and maple syrup to a small pan.
• Heat until bubbling and slightly thickened.
• Remove from heat; stir in butter, cream, and salt.
• Let cool to a pourable consistency.

4. Bring It All Together

• Once the ice cream reaches soft-serve consistency, fold through the pecan crumble.
• Layer into a tub, alternating: ice cream → caramel → ice cream → caramel
• Swirl gently with a butter knife.
• Freeze for 4–5 hours (overnight for best scoops).

Nutritional Information (Per Scoop)

• Calories: 345 kcal | Carbs: 28g | Sugars: 24g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Protein: 3.5g | Sodium: 0.2g

Values are approximate – based on 8 servings

Serving Suggestions

• Serve in waffle cones with extra crumble
• Make Pecan Pie Sundaes with whipped cream + caramel
• Serve beside pumpkin pie or cinnamon pastries
• Or scoop into warm brioche for a cosy dessert sandwich
• A festive option: top with candied pecans + edible gold dust

Perfect Pairings for Your Maple Pecan Pie Ice Cream

This is a flavour made for cosy nights, crackling candles and a dessert table full of autumn treats. Because it’s rich, buttery and warmly spiced, it pairs beautifully with desserts that add freshness, warmth or texture.

Serve it with:

• Warm apple crumble
• A drizzle of maple syrup
• Whipped cream
• Toasted pecans
• Cinnamon dusting
• On top of fudgy brownies (trust us — unreal)

This flavour also pairs beautifully with:

• Apple Crumble Ice Cream
• Spiced Apple Pie Ice Cream

Both bring autumn warmth and balance the richness perfectly.

Other Variations to Try

• Bourbon Maple Pecan Ice Cream: Add 1 tbsp of bourbon to the custard after cooling. (Boosts flavour + helps softness.)
• Honey-Roasted Pecan Version: Swap maple syrup in the crumble for honey.
• Chocolate Pecan Pie Ice Cream: Drizzle in melted dark chocolate instead of caramel.
• Pie-Crust Crumble: Bake leftover shortcrust pastry scraps until golden and crumble in.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use dark maple syrup instead of amber?
Absolutely — dark maple syrup gives a deeper, more caramel-like flavour. Amber is lighter and more buttery. Both work, just choose your preference.

Q: Can I make the pecan crumble in advance?
Yes! It stays crisp for 3–4 days in an airtight container. In fact, a day of resting actually improves the flavour.

Q: How do I stop the caramel swirl sinking to the bottom?
Let the maple caramel cool completely before swirling. A slightly thicker, cooled caramel holds its shape beautifully.

Q: Can I leave out the eggs in the custard?
Yes — you can make a Philadelphia-style base. The ice cream will be slightly less rich but still delicious. Just increase the cream slightly.

Q: Will this work in the Ninja Creami?
It will — but expect a different texture. Creami versions tend to be lighter and softer. Freeze level → spin → re-spin → mix-ins for the crumble.

🔗 Related Reads You’ll Also Love

If this cosy, maple-pecan scoop has you craving more autumn warmth and celebration-inspired flavours, these hand-picked articles are the perfect next stop.

👉🏽 Homemade Ice Cream Ideas for Thanksgiving: A curated collection of festive, crowd-pleasing frozen desserts — from spiced classics to modern twists — designed to complement your holiday table beautifully.

👉🏽 Easy Homemade Brown Butter Pecan Ice Cream: Like this recipe’s elegant cousin: deeper, toastier and irresistibly nutty. Brown butter + pecans = instant magic.

👉🏽 Apple Crumble Ice Cream – A Frozen Take on a Classic: All the nostalgia of a warm apple crumble, folded into a creamy, spiced autumn scoop. Comforting, familiar and perfect alongside your maple pecan creation.

The Final Scoop

Maple Pecan Pie Ice Cream is what happens when your favourite autumn dessert becomes a cold-weather comfort scoop.
It’s buttery, toasty, swirly, maple-rich… the kind of flavour that brings everyone together for “just one more spoonful.”

Perfect for Thanksgiving or any November evening where you need a bit of sweetness and warmth.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed our article — Maple Pecan Pie Ice Cream – A Toasty, Thanksgiving-Inspired Scoop — and that it inspires you to give this cosy, caramel-swirled recipe a try. If you have any questions, substitution ideas, or want to share your own twist on this flavour, drop us a comment below — we always love hearing from you.

Stay connected for more homemade ice cream inspiration! Share your creations with us on social media and join our lovely Frosted Fusions community. From mouth-watering recipes to expert tips and exclusive updates, we’ve got plenty more to scoop and share.
Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and X by clicking on the icons below.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support our website and allows us to continue creating content. Thank you for your support!