Cooking seasonally keeps things exciting; New produce to utilize and different flavors to play with. It gives the changing atmosphere much more purpose in my eyes, as every cold snap means another day to make a big pot of soup, and the fierce winds have me turning towards hot chocolate and chai. The downside, of course, is the need to let go of those beloved warm-weather dishes that were like close friends only a few short weeks ago. For some people, this means that the ice cream maker will be evicted from its spot in the freezer for another half year, sentenced to defrost in the darkness of a kitchen cabinet.

Well, if you ask me, that sort of behavior is just plain crazy, as I’m a firm believer in year-round ice cream enjoyment! Besides, if you put away that machine now, you’ll miss out on some of the best flavors that this season has to offer: Eggnog, candy cane, gingerbread, pumpkin spice… Put on a sweater and crank up the heat, because there’s no way the ice cream will stop churning out of my kitchen!

Easy as Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

1 15-Ounce Can Pumpkin Puree
1 14-Ounce Can Coconut Milk
1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar, Packed
1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
2 Tablespoons Bourbon
2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
Pinch Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Okay, now this is a real tough recipe, so are you ready? … Take all of the ingredients, and mix them together in a big bowl until smooth and homogeneous. Chill if not already cold, and process in your ice cream machine as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer into an air-tight container and freeze until solid before serving. Whew! After all that work, this ice cream sure hits the spot!

PS: Not too keen on making a traditional pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving this year? Just make a batch of this ice cream, smooth it into a pre-baked graham cracker crust, and freeze until firm enough to slice. Perfect to make ahead of time, too!

Printable Recipe