I know it’s almost October and the snow and rain isn’t very far away. But where I am the temperature is still in the high seventies, so I feel okay posting ice cream recipes. By the way if you ever have aspirations to open your own ice cream place, remember to factor in relocation costs to California and you can sell all year round. Let’s start with some pumpkin ice cream.
I’m keeping this post short and sweet. Do you guys remember the cartoon character Tasmanian Devil? He would antagonize poor Bugs Bunny into all sorts of situations and create a mess you wouldn’t believe. Well this morning, I’m playing the part of Bugs and Quinn is Taz. So far he’s managed to turn three rooms and an outside garage upside down. My bad for trying to do what I had planned to do last night. The couch basically swallowed me whole and released me around midnight. I think I’ll see if Taz wants to help me make some more ice cream…after he tidies up!
I used the base recipe from Jeni’s Ice Cream. This is the same recipe used in all of the ice cream posts on my blog just because it’s so good and so easy to adapt! It’s more like a creamy gelato chock-full of pumpkin flavor which melts slowly in your mouth. All that’s left behind are little crunchy nuggets of brown butter gingersnaps. That’s right I said brown butter. This isn’t a requirement to make this recipe but if you need to melt butter, you might as well take it to the brown stage and reap the benefits of the added nutty flavor. Oh and it’s a cool thing to do right now.
Last weekend I attended my first International Food Bloggers Conference. It was held in Seattle which seems like a super cool city. I’d love to return someday with more time to explore. I’ll be posting a full recap of the conference and all of the awesome food I had the chance to try soon!
Check out some of my other ice cream flavors-
Molasses Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches
Biscoff and Toasted Almond Ice Cream
Wild Blueberry Ice Cream Smoothie
Salted Caramel Ice Cream with Pistachios and Rosemary

Pumpkin Ice Cream with Gingersnaps
Ingredients
- For the ice cream:
- 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 1/2 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 2/3 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp dark corn syrup
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger
- For the gingersnap bites:
- 3/4 cup ground gingersnap cookie crumbs
- 1/2 stick butter
Instructions
- Heat the butter in a small pan until it starts to turn brown. Keep a close eye on it as it can burn very fast.
- Once it's a deep golden color take it off the heat and add the gingersnap crumb.
- Mix well and set aside to cool.
- In a bowl whisk the cream cheese and salt until soft and creamy. Add the pumpkin and honey.
- Whisk until everything is smooth and well mixed.
- Mix 2 tbsp of the milk in a small bowl along with the cornstarch and set aside.
- Pour the remaining milk into a pot with the cream, sugar, corn syrup and spices.
- Heat over a medium heat until a rolling boil starts. Boil slowly for 4 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in the cornstarch mix.
- Place the pot back on the heat and bring back to a boil. Boil for a further 2 minutes and the mixture gets slightly thicker.
- Remove from the heat and gradually whisk into the pumpkin mixture. Mix until smooth.
- Transfer the whole mixture to a 1 quart zip lock bag and seal.
- Place the bag into the ice water bath and let it cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Once it's cool transfer it to your ice cream maker and follow the instructions for that. It usually takes about 20-25 minutes to be fully churned.
- After it finishes in the machine, place half of it in a small plastic Tupperware. Sprinkle some of the cooled gingersnap crumbs on top.
- Spread the rest of the ice cream on top and sprinkle with more of the crumbs. Seal with the lid and place into the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
I’ve never been more excited that my ice cream maker bowl is in the freezer! This is happening in my kitchen tonight and I cannot wait! Love this recipe.
Where I am it’s still in the 80s. But you can tell it’s fall anyway. The sky is extra blue. The sun is taking its time to rise each morning and I wore socks to bed! But I’ll still eat ice cream for breakfast. GREG
This ice cream sounds sinful so I know I have to try it. I love pumpkin ice cream and it’s only available once a year. Now that I have this wonderful recipe I can have it anytime I want. Thanks for sharing this.
I love pumpkin ice cream and I could go for 2 scoops right about now!
Oh, we are from CA, and miss it soooo much. Every winter, I wish I was back in Cali! And this pumpkin ice cream looks absolutely fabulous. I love ice cream so much, I’d still make it in the crazy winters of MN :)
It is indeed a wonderful feeling when your “couch swallows you whole” :)
As somone who is in denial about the start of autumn – this icecream looks especially great! Thanks so much for sharing
When a recipe includes the word “gingersnap” I’m all ears. I am loving this ice cream! Super Yum!
Perfect fall ice cream flavor, Gerry! It was great to meet you in Seattle :)
you had me at pumpkin. pinned and ingredients are in my grocery list for next week!
I want to marry that ice cream, is that weird? Don’t tell Jeff.
Beautiful job! This looks absolutely perfect.
Lovely recipe Gerry – and can’t wait to see your convention recap – I didn’t even know there was an International Blogger convention – hope you had a great time. Love, love, love this ice cream. It is beautiful and so are your photos.
you are on a roll here with pumpkin flavors! I love this ice cream. It looks amazing and so delicious
Just mouthwatering….looks delicious!
I love pumpkins! Your ice cream looks like a perfect fall dessert, Gerry.
I’m so happy you’re still posting ice cream recipes!!! Especially when they’re this killer!!!
Sounds so good! Anything with pumpkin is my favorite and I already have my list of pumpkin recipes lined up to include on my blog. Wouldn’t have thought to put ginger in it!
Thanks for the recipe! :)
Whoa. I made this last night and it was by far the best ice cream I have EVER made. Phenomenal recipe. Thank you!!!