Active Time

　　15 min

　　Total Time

　　2 1/4 hours

　　This is not just the best dulce de leche ice cream we've ever had, it's one of the best ice creams we've ever had, period. The most blissful thing about it is that it's not too sweet; the delicate caramel essence isn't obscured by sugar. And since it's not a custard-based ice cream, it's easy to make.

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 1 1/2 quarts

　　2 cups whole milk

　　1 cup heavy cream

　　1 pound dulce de leche (about 1 2/3 cups; preferably La Salamandra brand)

　　1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

　　3/4 cup chopped pecans (2 1/2 to 3 oz), toasted

　　

Special Equipment

an ice cream maker

　　

Step 1

Bring milk and cream just to a boil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, then remove from heat and whisk in dulce de leche until dissolved. Whisk in vanilla and transfer to a metal bowl. Quick-chill by putting bowl in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and stirring occasionally until cold, 15 to 20 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Freeze mixture in ice cream maker until almost firm, then fold in pecans.

　　

Step 3

Transfer ice cream to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden, at least 1 hour.

　　Cooks' note:

　　Ice cream keeps 1 week.