
Peanut Butter and Pickle Ice Cream: The Ultimate Pickle Ice Cream Recipe
Yes, you read that correctly! Get ready to send your taste buds on an unforgettable adventure with this creamy, savory peanut butter and pickle ice cream that's still every bit as sweet as you want this frozen treat to be. This pickle ice cream recipe combines the unexpected duo of pickles and peanut butter into a dessert that will have everyone talking.
What Makes This Pickle Ice Cream So Special?
The combination of sweet and spicy is what makes this particular pickle ice cream recipe stand out from any ice cream flavor you've tried before. The snap from the Fiery Heat Three Pepper Spears adds the perfect complement of crunch to an otherwise creamy texture, creating a pickle-flavored ice cream that's both familiar and completely surprising.
There's just enough heat to encourage you to take the next bite, flooding your tongue with the cooling sensation of the sweet and creamy peanut butter. It's like being stuck in an infinite time loop of savory, sweet, salty, and spicy sensations!
This ice cream has everything you want in a dessert, making it an ideal recipe for adventurous food lovers. With such bold and unique flavors, this pickle ice cream will undoubtedly have some believing that pickles and peanut butter couldn't possibly co-exist, especially as ice cream. Still, we assure you, this combination is truly a knockout.
Why Pickle Ice Cream is Having a Moment
Perfect for Pregnancy Cravings
Many pregnant women find themselves craving the strangest flavor combinations, and pickle ice cream hits that sweet spot perfectly. The tangy pickle flavor combined with rich cream satisfies those unique pregnancy cravings that often combine salty and sweet elements. If you're expecting and have been dreaming about dill pickle ice cream, this recipe delivers exactly what your taste buds are asking for.
A Unique Ice Cream Shop Experience at Home
While you might find pickle-flavored ice cream at specialty ice cream shops, making your own pickle ice cream at home ensures you get exactly the flavor profile you're craving. Plus, you control the quality of ingredients, from the heavy cream to the actual pickle pieces.
The Science Behind the Craving
There's something magical about how tangy pickle flavors complement the richness of cream and sugar. Whether you're satisfying pregnancy cravings or just love adventurous ice cream flavors, the combination of dill pickle and creamy peanut butter creates a complex taste experience that keeps you coming back for more.
Complete Pickle Ice Cream Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes plus overnight chilling (inactive)
Cook Time: 15 minutes (inactive)
Total Time: 30 minutes active, plus overnight chilling
Makes: 1-quart ice cream
Note: If you don't have an ice cream maker, there are several ways to make ice cream without a machine.
Ingredients
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1 ¾ cups heavy whipping cream
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1 ¼ cups whole milk
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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Pinch kosher salt
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1 tablespoon vanilla extract
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⅔ cup creamy peanut butter
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3 tablespoons sriracha, plus more to taste, to garnish
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1 ½ teaspoon dark soy sauce
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½ cup SuckerPunch Gourmet Fiery Heat Three Pepper Spears, chopped finely
Directions
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Create the Base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the heavy cream, sugar, salt, vanilla, and sriracha to a boil.
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Combine Flavors: Once at a boil, add the whole milk, peanut butter, and soy sauce, whisking to combine. After the ingredients meld together, remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a separate bowl.
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Chill Overnight: Place the pickle ice cream base in the fridge overnight. This chilling time is crucial for developing the flavors and ensuring your ice cream maker can work properly.
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Churn the Ice cream: The next day, pour the chilled base into your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Add the Crunch: Make sure you add in your chopped Fiery Heat Three Pepper Spears! These pickle pieces provide the signature texture that makes this pickle ice cream so addictive.
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Serve and Garnish: Once the ice cream is finished churning, serve immediately with a garnish of more diced pickles. For those who want to turn up the heat on this cold treat, an added drizzle of sriracha is a kick worthy of the SuckerPunch name.
Flavor Variations
For Heat-Sensitive Palates: If you love SuckerPunch but have trouble handling the heat, try substituting fiery pickles for our Sweet Spiced Bread & Butter pickles. Bread & butter with peanut butter? Better pucker up, buttercup!
Dill Pickle Ice Cream Version: For a more traditional pickle ice cream experience, substitute the spicy pickles with our Snappy Classic Dill Pickles and add a tablespoon of dill pickle juice to the base for extra tangy flavor.
Perfect Pairings for Your Pickle Ice Cream
Just in case you were wondering, here is a quick list of other dessert items that pair exceptionally well with this ice cream:
Salty Snacks
Pretzels - We're already combining savory and sweet, so why not fully embrace the dichotomy of this dish with some salty snacks? If you're really looking to elevate this dessert, chocolate-covered pretzels are the way to go here. Stay away from yogurt-covered pretzels—they're great on their own, but they don't complement the pickle flavor in this context. Original or chocolate only if you're looking to add some twisted fun.
Sweet Additions
Semi-sweet Cocoa Nibs - Just a sprinkle of these will add a superb sweet but subtle bitter flavor to the already complex profile of this ice cream. Cocoa nibs are distinctive enough to add complexity without overwhelming the pickle and peanut butter combination.
Caramel Swirl - For pickle addicts who also love sweet treats, a drizzle of caramel creates an incredible contrast with the tangy pickle flavor.
Graham Crackers - Graham crackers add a buttery crunch that pairs exceptionally well with pickle ice cream. Unlike shortbread cookies, graham crackers provide a cinnamon bite that cuts through the creamy peanut butter and complements the spice from the Fiery Heat Three Pepper spears.
Tips for the Perfect Pickle Ice Cream Experience
Storage and Serving
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Store your pickle ice cream in a plastic container in the fridge between servings
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Use an ice cream scoop for the perfect serving size
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Let the ice cream soften for a few minutes at room temperature for easier scooping
Making Without an Ice Cream Maker
If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can still enjoy homemade pickle ice cream:
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Pour the chilled mixture into a loaf pan
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Place in the freezer for 45 minutes
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Remove and stir vigorously, breaking up ice crystals
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Return to freezer and repeat every 45 minutes for 3-4 hours
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Add chopped pickles during the final stir
Final Thoughts: Why Pickle Ice Cream Deserves a Spot in Your Freezer
This peanut butter and pickle ice cream recipe proves that the best flavors come from unexpected combinations. Whether you're satisfying pregnancy cravings, impressing guests, or just indulging your own adventurous palate, this pickle-flavored ice cream delivers an experience you won't find at any ordinary ice cream shop.
The beauty of homemade pickle ice cream lies in the control—you decide how much pickle crunch, how much heat, and how much sweetness goes into every batch. Plus, with SuckerPunch Pickles providing that essential flavor foundation, you're guaranteed a pickle ice cream that's restaurant-quality every single time.
We've got brine on the brain! For more easy reading on what we're eating, check out the rest of the SuckerPunch blog. Full of recipes, historical facts, and pickle periodicals, there's something for everyone to chew on.
