Black Walnut Ice Cream Recipe - How to Make Black Walnut Ice Cream (2024)

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5 from 11 votes

By Hank Shaw

November 06, 2011 | Updated January 24, 2021

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Black Walnut Ice Cream Recipe - How to Make Black Walnut Ice Cream (2)

There is absolutely nothing like this black walnut ice cream.

Black walnuts are so much more flavorful than regular walnuts that you will be blown away by this recipe. I harvest my own black walnuts, but you can buy black walnuts onlineas well.

The reason this ice cream is so good is because black walnuts lend their flavor to fatty things, like cream, much better than regular walnuts. I am not sure why, but it seems to be the case in my experience. Can you use regular walnuts to make this ice cream? Yes, but it will not be the same. Nothing beats wild walnuts.

For my recipe, I do a black walnut double-dip: First I infuse the cream with the nuts, which gives it flavor and a little color, and then I add those walnuts back in the final ice cream, which is itself enriched by several egg yolks. It’s roll-your-eyes-back-in-your-head good.

You can use this recipe as a template for any similar nut, so regular walnuts, pecans, hickory nuts and butternuts.

Another thing that makes my black walnut ice cream better than most others is that I use real vanilla, as in a pod, not extract. This makes a difference, but the ice cream will still be fine if you use an extract — just use a decent extract, not the imitation crap.

If you want something over your ice cream, the obvious choice is a chocolate drizzle. I prefer to add chocolate chips in the ice cream itself as a variation; add them in halfway through the churn.

5 from 11 votes

Black Walnut Ice Cream

This recipe and method works with any similar nut.

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 10 servings

Author: Hank Shaw

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cream
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2/3 cup black walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 vanilla bean, scraped
  • 4 or 5 egg yolks

Instructions

  • Heat the cream, milk, sugar and walnut pieces in a heavy-bottomed pot to 170 degrees, or to the point at which it steams but does not simmer. Turn off the heat, add the vanilla bean and the scraped insides of the bean, stir well and cover. Let this cool for 1 hour.

  • Move the mixture to a container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight.

  • Strain the mixture to remove the vanilla bean and the walnut pieces. Reserve the walnut pieces and set them in the fridge.

  • Heat the strained mixture to 160°F. As it is heating, beat the egg yolks to combine. When the cream has hit its temperature, you will need to temper your eggs so they don’t scramble. One hand holds a ladle, the other whisks the egg yolks: Pour in a little hot cream with one hand, whisking vigorously with the other. Pour in 2 ladles full, then pour the egg-cream mixture into the pot and stir well. Cook this gently, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Do not let it simmer.

  • Strain this one more time and chill the mixture down at least to room temperature before putting into the ice cream maker. Churn it until it has the consistency of soft-serve ice cream, then remove to a large bowl and gently fold in the reserved black walnut pieces. Freeze and eat!

Notes

Note that the prep time does not include chill time or the time it takes to churn your ice cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 321kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 43mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 883IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @huntgathercook or tag #hankshaw!

Categorized as:
American Recipes, Foraging, Recipe, Sweet Things

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About Hank Shaw

Hey there. Welcome to Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, the internet’s largest source of recipes and know-how for wild foods. I am a chef, author, and yes, hunter, angler, gardener, forager and cook. Follow me on Instagram and on Facebook.

Read More About Me

Black Walnut Ice Cream Recipe - How to Make Black Walnut Ice Cream (2024)

FAQs

What is black walnut ice cream made of? ›

Ingredients: Buttermilk, cream, sugar, corn syrup, walnuts, skim milk, whey, contains less than 2% of natural flavor, mono & diglycerides, cellulose gum, guar gum, carrageenan, caramel color, annatto (color).

How to make black walnut flavoring? ›

Instructions:
  1. Place your black walnuts (whole) in a wide mouth glass jar. ...
  2. Pour enough vodka (or apple cider vinegar or glycerin) over the black walnuts to completely cover them by 2-3 inches then seal your jar with a tight fitting lid.
  3. Let the black walnuts soak in a warm spot, out of direct sunlight for 4-6 weeks.

Did they discontinue black walnut ice cream? ›

Gone but not forgotten.

What flavor is black walnut ice cream? ›

To me, black walnuts and black walnut extract smell just a tiny bit like anise, the flavor of black licorice. I was a little leery of them both initially, as I'm not a fan of black licorice at all. However, the flavor and fragrance in the finished ice cream is not at all reminiscent of anise.

What is the active ingredient in black walnuts? ›

Black walnut contains high concentrations of chemicals called tannins, which can reduce pain and swelling and dry up body fluids such as mucous. People use black walnut to lower the risk of heart disease, for skin wounds, and for other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Can you eat black walnuts straight from the tree? ›

Wondering if you can eat a black walnut from a tree in your yard or foraged from the woods? The answer is yes, but first you need to know how to harvest black walnuts and crack their tough shells. Use these simple harvesting tips so you can enjoy these native nuts as a snack or as a flavorful addition to baked goods.

What can I do with black walnuts off the tree? ›

Black walnuts have two uses: the hull can be used to make ink, and the nut can be roasted and used in all sorts of baked goods as well as in salads. How to tell when black walnuts are ready to harvest: When the husk is brown, is cracked, gives in to pressure, or peels away easily from the nut inside.

How long should black walnuts dry? ›

The black walnut has one of the toughest and thickest shells to crack. After washing and sorting, allow the nuts to dry for two or three weeks. An excellent way to dry nuts is on a wire screen. Spread the nuts in shallow layers (no more than three nuts deep)and dry them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.

Why is black walnut syrup so expensive? ›

Black walnut syrup is in high demand and commands a premium price, simply because not enough can be produced to satisfy the taste buds of consumers turned on to its nutty, earthy flavor. A 5-ounce bottle of pure black walnut syrup sells for $35, according to the Tonoloway Farm website.

What flavors go well with black walnut? ›

It's time to bring in the harvest and enjoy fall and winter flavors in fresh and unexpected ways. Rich, bold American Black Walnuts combine with pumpkin, apples, caramel, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg to bring a tantalizing twist to favorite recipes.

Does black walnut flavoring go bad? ›

Step 6: Store the black walnut extract

Extracts don't spoil, but the flavor diminishes over time. Use black walnut extract in baking recipes where you want a deep walnut flavor.

What company makes black walnut ice cream? ›

Black Walnut | Blue Bell Ice Cream.

Is there a black walnut ice cream? ›

Black Walnut Ice Cream - Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.

Does Baskin Robbins make black walnut ice cream? ›

Baskin-Robbins | Black Walnut Ice Cream.

What does black walnut flavor taste like? ›

First-time munchers might describe black walnuts as bitter. I prefer earthy and robust, a balanced, umami flavor that grows on you. Black walnuts taste like no other nut (including English walnuts) but can be used in all the same ways.

What is black ice cream made of? ›

An ice cream made from pure virgin coconut shell activated charcoal. An ice cream that tastes like vanilla, but is black in color and changes the color of the tongue (only for an hour or so) has been launched. This ice cream is made from pure virgin coconut shell activated charcoal.

What is the flavor of black ice cream? ›

But it leaves intrigue to what the taste could be. Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—charcoal ice cream does not have a unique taste. Ice cream shops that offer the black dessert typically add various flavors to the recipe. Black ice cream can taste like coconut, vanilla, or, really, any of your favorite flavors.

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