Our Low Carb friendly Maple Syrup Pecan Ice Cream is delicious. It is so good that if you have dinner guests, you can efficiently serve it as a dessert.
This low-carb-friendly ice cream is healthier than other ice creams, including any store-bought versions. While maple syrup does contain natural sugars, it’s perceived as a healthier alternative to highly processed sugars, and for many, it’s a preferred natural sweetener. The pecans in this ice cream give some added flavor and crunch.
Table of Contents
- Reasons To Make Your Homemade Ice Cream
- Use Only 100% Maple Syrup.
- Low-Carb Friendly Maple Syrup Pecan Ice Cream Recipe
Reasons To Make Your Homemade Ice Cream
Making homemade ice cream has several benefits, and understanding those can inspire more individuals to try the delightful process. Here’s why making your ice cream, especially maple syrup ice cream, is worth the effort:
1. Control Over Ingredients
When you make ice cream at home, you have complete control over what goes into it. This means avoiding additives, preservatives, artificial flavors, and colorings often found in store-bought versions.
2. Natural Sweeteners
Using 100% maple syrup as a sweetener offers a healthier alternative to cane sugar. Maple syrup contains antioxidants and minerals such as zinc and manganese. While it still provides calories and some carbohydrates, it is a more natural option free from the processing cane sugar undergoes.
3. Customization
One of the joys of homemade ice cream is the ability to customize flavors. While maple syrup vanilla is a great base, you can get creative and add nuts, fruits, spices, or any other favorite ingredient.
4. Dietary Needs
Making ice cream at home allows those with dietary restrictions or preferences to create versions that suit their needs. You can adjust the recipe accordingly, whether it’s low-carb, dairy-free, vegan, or any other requirement.
5. Freshness
There’s something delightful about eating ice cream shortly after it’s been churned. The freshness enhances the flavor and texture, making it creamier and more satisfying.
6. Cost-Effective
In the long run, making ice cream at home can be more cost-effective, especially if you frequently indulge in premium or artisanal ice creams. After the initial investment in an ice cream maker, the cost of ingredients, especially when bought in bulk or during sales, can be pretty economical.
7. Fun Activity
The process of making ice cream can be a fun activity, especially when done with family or friends. It can be a bonding experience and a sense of achievement when you savor your homemade creation.
8. Environmental Considerations
Homemade ice cream can be more eco-friendly. You can avoid the packaging waste of store-bought ice creams and opt for sustainably sourced ingredients. In conclusion, while buying ice cream from the store can be convenient, making it home provides a healthier, tastier, and more personalized experience.
By opting for natural sweeteners like maple syrup, you also enhance the health benefits, giving you a delicious and relatively guilt-free treat.
Use Only 100% Maple Syrup.
Using only 100% maple syrup is crucial for ensuring the cream’s health benefits and authentic flavor.
Here’s why 100% maple syrup is the preferred choice over other alternatives or diluted versions:
1. Natural Sugars
Maple syrup is derived directly from the sap of sugar maple trees. The sugars in this syrup are natural, unlike the highly refined sugars found in many commercial foods.
2. Nutrient Density
100% maple syrup contains minerals like manganese, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. These minerals contribute to the nutrient value of maple syrup, making it a more nutritious sweetener choice than cane sugar.
3. Antioxidants
Maple syrup contains antioxidants, which can help combat oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress has been linked to aging and many chronic diseases. While it’s not a significant source, every bit of antioxidant intake can contribute to overall health.
4. Genuine Flavor
Using 100% maple syrup ensures an authentic maple flavor, which is rich and nuanced. Diluted or imitation syrups won’t provide the same depth of flavor, and the ice cream’s taste will not be as premium or genuine.
5. No Additives Or Preservatives
Many syrup alternatives or products labeled “maple-flavored” contain artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, or other additives. By using 100% maple syrup, you’re avoiding these unnecessary and potentially harmful ingredients. If you use an of these maple-flavored products will ensure the ice cream is not a healthy low-carb alternative.
6. Lower Glycemic Index
While still a sweetener, maple syrup has a lower glycemic index than white sugar. This means it can cause a slower rise in blood sugar levels than other high-glycemic sweeteners.
7. Eco-Friendly Production
Producing maple syrup is generally more sustainable than producing refined sugars. Sugar maples can produce sap for generations without being cut down, and tapping trees for sap doesn’t harm them. This contrasts with the large-scale agriculture associated with sugar production, which can be more environmentally damaging.
8. Supports Local Economies
Purchasing 100% maple syrup often means supporting local farmers and small-scale producers, especially in regions where maple syrup is harvested. In essence, for those who are looking for a sweetener that offers more than just sweetness,
100% maple syrup stands out. It brings health benefits and a depth of flavor that can elevate dishes like ice cream to a gourmet level. When used thoughtfully in recipes, it’s a delightful marriage of taste and health.
Low-Carb Friendly Maple Syrup Pecan Ice Cream Recipe
Low-Carb Friendly Maple Syrup Pecan Ice Cream
4
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesThis low-carb-friendly maple pecan ice cream is healthier than other ice creams, including store-bought versions. The pecans in this ice cream give some added flavor and crunch.
Ingredients
2 – Large eggs
3/4 Cup of maple syrup
1 3/4 Cups of heavy whipping cream
3/4 Cup of milk. We like to use whole milk
1 Cup of pecans – Toasted in butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and some salt.
Directions
- If you want toasted pecans, quickly toast them in a frying pan in butter, add some salt, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Stir them constantly until toasted, then set aside and allow them to cool.
- In a medium bowl, beat eggs until fluffy (see our notes on pasteurizing eggs)
- Gradually add the maple syrup and vanilla to the eggs, continuing to beat the mixture as you add the syrup.
- Once the eggs, syrup, and vanilla are well combined, gradually add the heavy whipping cream and milk to beat the mixture.
- Once all the ingredients are well mixed, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- In the last few minutes of churning, mix the pecans with the ice cream.
- Once the churning process is complete, transfer the ice cream to a lidded container and freeze it until it reaches your desired consistency.
