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Bowl of pale green pistachio ice cream topped with chopped toasted pistachios on a linen napkin over wood

Rich and Creamy Churned Sugar-Free Pistachio Ice Cream

A custard-based sugar-free pistachio ice cream made with toasted pistachios, egg yolks, and allulose for a soft, scoopable texture.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 263

Ingredients
  

Pistachio Custard Base
  • 110 g pistachios, shelled and unsalted toasted, then processed to a coarse paste
  • 480 ml heavy cream
  • 240 ml whole milk
  • 4 egg yolks large
  • 120 g allulose or granulated erythritol, texture will be firmer, see notes
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract optional, deepens pistachio flavor
Mix-In
  • 40 g pistachios, shelled and unsalted toasted and chopped

Method
 

Toast and Prep the Pistachios
  1. Toast 150 g shelled pistachios in a dry 10-inch skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant.
  2. Set aside 40 g of the toasted pistachios and roughly chop them for the mix-in later. Pulse the remaining 110 g in a food processor until they form a coarse paste.
Cook the Custard
  1. In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the pistachio paste, heavy cream, whole milk, and salt over medium heat. Heat until steaming and small bubbles form at the edge, about 5 minutes. Do not let it boil.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks with the allulose in a mixing bowl until pale, about 1 minute.
  3. Slowly pour a ladle of the hot cream mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly to temper them. Pour the warmed yolk mixture back into the saucepan.
  4. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard coats the back of the spoon and reaches 175 F / 79 C on an instant-read thermometer, about 4 to 5 minutes. Do not let it go past 180 F / 82 C or the eggs will curdle.
  5. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any bits of cooked egg or pistachio skin. Stir in the vanilla and almond extract.
Chill, Churn, and Freeze
  1. Cover the custard and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until fully cold.
  2. Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions, about 20 to 25 minutes, until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
  3. Fold in the reserved 40 g chopped pistachios during the last minute of churning.
  4. Transfer to a 9x5-inch loaf pan, press parchment paper directly onto the surface, and freeze for at least 4 hours until firm and scoopable.

Notes

  • Don't skip straining the custard, it catches stray bits of cooked egg.
  • Chill the custard fully before churning or the texture won't set right.
  • Allulose measures cup for cup like sugar but tastes about 70 percent as sweet.
  • Toast pistachios just until fragrant, burnt nuts turn the ice cream bitter.