Description
Imagine slicing into a chilled Ice Cream Pie, with a buttery graham cracker crust cradling creamy vanilla ice cream studded with crunchy pecans, peanut butter cups, and Butterfinger chunks, all drizzled with rich caramel or hot fudge sauce.
Ingredients
This recipe uses pantry staples and indulgent mix-ins for a versatile pie. Here’s what you need and why each matters:
Crust
- Graham Crackers (16 full sheets, with 4 sections each): Form the crunchy base.
- Why it matters: Provide a sweet, crumbly foundation that holds up to the filling.
- Substitution: Use chocolate graham crackers, digestive biscuits, or crushed vanilla wafers.
- Butter (â…“ cup or â…” stick, melted): Binds the crust.
- Why it matters: Adds richness and helps the crumbs form a firm base.
- Substitution: Use vegan butter or melted coconut oil for dairy-free.
Filling
- Vanilla Ice Cream (2 pints): The creamy star.
- Why it matters: Creates a smooth, scoopable filling that carries the mix-ins.
- Substitution: Use any ice cream flavor (e.g., chocolate, mint, strawberry) for variety.
- Pecans (¼ cup, finely chopped, plus more for serving): Add nutty crunch.
- Why it matters: Provide texture and a toasty flavor.
- Substitution: Use walnuts, almonds, or omit for nut-free.
- Peanut Butter Cups (4, such as Reese’s, roughly chopped): Add creamy, sweet bursts.
- Why it matters: Bring a rich, peanut-chocolate flavor to the filling.
- Substitution: Use chopped Snickers, Milky Way, or peanut-free candy like M&M’s.
- Butterfinger Bars (2 large, roughly chopped): Add crispy toffee crunch.
- Why it matters: Provide a unique, crunchy texture and caramel-like flavor.
- Substitution: Use Heath bars, toffee bits, or crushed pretzels for crunch.
- Jarred Caramel or Hot Fudge Sauce (for serving): Adds a decadent drizzle.
- Why it matters: Enhances sweetness and makes each slice indulgent.
- Substitution: Use chocolate syrup, dulce de leche, or a fruit compote.
Pro Tip: Use full-sheet graham crackers (about 2 cups crumbs); pulse in a food processor for fine, even crumbs. Soften ice cream slightly (10-15 minutes at room temperature) for easier mixing
Instructions
- Make the Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place 16 graham cracker sheets in a large plastic zipper bag, seal, and crush with a rolling pin until fine crumbs form (or pulse in a food processor).
- Transfer crumbs to a large bowl, add â…“ cup melted butter, and stir until combined.
- Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie plate, covering the bottom and sides evenly.
- Bake for 5 minutes, then let cool completely on a wire rack, about 20 minutes.
- Tip: Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press crumbs for a compact crust; cool fully to prevent melting the filling.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a large bowl, stir 2 pints vanilla ice cream until smooth but still firm and slightly frozen, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add ¼ cup finely chopped pecans, 4 chopped peanut butter cups, and 2 chopped Butterfinger bars. Stir until evenly combined.
- Tip: Chop mix-ins into small, bite-sized pieces for even distribution; work quickly to keep ice cream cold.
- Assemble the Pie:
- Pour the ice cream mixture into the cooled crust, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and freeze until firm, at least 2-3 hours (or up to 1 week for make-ahead).
- Tip: Press plastic wrap directly onto the ice cream surface to prevent ice crystals; freeze on a flat surface for an even shape.
- Serve:
- Remove the pie from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly.
- Use a warm, sharp knife (run under hot water and dry) to cut neat slices (8-12 depending on size).
- Drizzle each slice with jarred caramel or hot fudge sauce and sprinkle with extra chopped pecans.
- Health Benefit: Nuts provide protein, dairy offers calcium, but the sugar and candy make this a treat to enjoy sparingly!
Serving Suggestion: Serve slices on chilled plates with a generous drizzle of sauce and a sprinkle of pecans or candy crumbs for flair. Pair with coffee, hot chocolate, or a berry smoothie for a fun dessert experience!