Derby Day Pecan Ice Cream Ball

This is a great make-ahead dessert! Perfect for the Derby or any day!!

Make the nuts ahead or purchase store bought nuts and assemble each pecan ball in advance of your event.  

Vanilla ice cream covered in toasted, salted, buttery pecans… floating on a pool of caramel, topped with chocolate fudge, bourbon whipped cream, a mint sprig and a cherry.

For this recipe, make sure you have ample freezer space.  The prepared ice cream pecan balls will be made ahead and wait in the freezer until ready to serve.

Ingredients:

4 cups of roasted chopped pecans-available at Kroger or make your own. 

Good Vanilla Ice Cream (I used Kroger Private Selection Country Vanilla-it’s my favorite)

Hershey’s Hot Fudge 

Hershey’s Caramel Sauce

Whipped Cream-

1 1/2 cup Heavy Whipping cream

1/4 cup confectioners sugar

1 ounce bourbon

Maraschino Cherries 

Fresh Mint Sprigs

For homemade: Roasted Buttery-Salted Pecans (make ahead):

Use 4 cups of chopped pecans

2 Tablespoons melted butter

1 teaspoon sea salt

In a small bowl, pour melted butter over the chopped pecans. Stir to coat.  On a parchment lined baking sheet, spread the nuts, sprinkle with the salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes on the middle rack of a preheated 300 degree oven. Allow nuts to cool to room temperature, before storing in an air-tight container.

Assembly:

Use a freezer safe plate or deep plastic container to place finished pecan balls upon after making. Again, be sure to have freezer space to store the prepared pecan balls.

Using 1 cup of the chopped buttery salted pecans and place on a rimmed baking sheet in one even layer.  Set aside.

Using a medium scoop (1-per serving), scoop 6 ice cream balls. Roll each scoop of vanilla ice cream in the chopped nuts.  Working quickly. press gently to adhere the nuts to the ice cream.  Replenish nuts as necessary.

Place the prepared ice cream pecan balls into the freezer right away to firm up-leave pecan balls in the freezer-covered, until ready to serve.

For Bourbon Whipped Cream:

Mix 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, 1/4 confectioners sugar, 1 ounce bourbon. Mix on low, then high until whipped cream thickens

When ready to serve, on a plate or shallow bowl, add 2 Tablespoons of caramel onto the plate. Place the pecan ball on the caramel. Top pecan ball with 2-3 Tablespoons of hot fudge (gently warm chocolate in microwave if desired) top with bourbon whipped cream, mint and cherry…

Enjoy!!