While we all think “pie” when you say “pumpkin” there are other ways to enjoy that deep pumpkin flavor. We’ve featured a spectacular Pumpkin Chiffon Cake:
https://cookingbythebook.com//recipes/pumpkin-chiffon-cake-for-thanksgiving/
And there are pumpkin cookies galore. Here’s a cooler idea: Pumpkin Ice Cream. This recipe comes from William Sonoma, but you’ll see notes in the recipe ingredients below suggesting differences in the amount of sugar, add-in liqueurs, the amount of pumpkin, and the amount and mix of milk and heavy cream. And the amount of spices is, of course, totally at your discretion.
The differences in the ingredients come from a survey of authors — Joy Wilson and David Lebovitz — plus other ideas on the web. You’ve plenty of room here to experiment, taste, and surely enjoy this fall treat.
Pumpkin Ice Cream for Thanksgiving dessert? Oh, I think only if it is sitting next to the pie. You could put whipped cream on both! Sure, why not?
Pumpkin Ice Cream
Yield: about 1 quart
Ingredients:
- ¾ to 1 cup fresh pumpkin puree or canned unsweetened pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream [or add 1 cup milk or use 1 ½ cups milk and only 1 cup heavy cream]
- ¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar [or ⅓ cup granulated sugar]
- 5 egg yolks
- ½ to 1 teaspoon. ground cinnamon
- ½ to 1 teaspoon. ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon. salt
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg [½ teaspoon ground]
- 1 tablespoon bourbon [or rum or Grand Marnier]
Preparation:
In a bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 8 hours.
In a heavy 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 1/2 cups of the cream and 1/2 cup of the brown sugar. Cook until bubbles form around the edges of the pan, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the egg yolks, cinnamon, ginger, salt, nutmeg, the remaining 1/2 cup cream and the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar. Whisk until smooth and the sugar begins to dissolve.
Remove the cream mixture from the heat. Gradually whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture until smooth. Pour the egg mixture back into the pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon and keeping the custard at a low simmer, until it is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon and leaves a clear trail when a finger is drawn through it, 4 to 6 minutes. Do not allow the custard to boil. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl.
Place the bowl in a larger bowl partially filled with ice water, stirring occasionally until cool. Whisk the pumpkin mixture into the custard. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 3 hours or up to 24 hours.
Transfer the custard to an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Add the bourbon during the last minute of churning. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Cover and freeze until firm, at least 3 hours or up to 3 days, before serving.
Source: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/pumpkin-ice-cream.ht
Photo Information: Canon T2i, 18-55mm Macro Lens, f/5 at 1/80th second, ISO-1000