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    Home » Keto Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts » Dulce De Leche Ice Cream with Salted Pecans – Low Carb and Gluten-Free

    Published: Mar 18, 2013 · Modified: Apr 22, 2021 by Carolyn

    Dulce De Leche Ice Cream with Salted Pecans – Low Carb and Gluten-Free

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    3.1K shares
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    Low carb, sugar-free ice cream made with low carb dulce de leche and studded with salty roasted pecans.

    Low Carb Dulce De Leche Ice Cream

    I’ve been holding out on you. From the very name of this recipe I am sure you can gather that it was truly delicious and since I made it over a month ago, I really ought to have shared it with you by now.  But I wanted to hold off for a bit, while I perfected a low carb ice cream that stayed soft and scoopable, even after many hours in the freezer.  See, this was the recipe that lead me to the discovery that my homemade low carb sweetened condensed milk, a little extra xanthan gum and some alcohol could seriously improve the texture of sugar-free ice cream.  I wanted to see if I could repeat the results with other flavours of ice cream, especially with vanilla.  Because if I could do that, then I knew I was on to something.   Then I figured I would share the recipe for ice cream made with my low carb dulce de leche.

    low carb dulce de leche ice cream

    The problem is that although I have had great success with my low carb vanilla ice cream, not all of my readers have had the same success.  One poor person ended up with a gummy mixture that never set properly in her freezer, no matter how long she froze it.  We narrowed the possible culprit to her use of a liqueur which contains sugar, since sugar lowers the freezing point of liquids and may have kept the ice cream from setting properly.  Another person found that it froze quite hard and was not scoopable at first, but when she turned up the temp slightly in her freezer, it softened perfectly., which suggests that the recipe is very sensitive to temperatures as well.   I have now made the vanilla ice cream recipe three times with slight variations and I’ve found that any reduction in xanthan gum or alcohol also means that it freezes rather harder than I like.  So I know that the original recipe is solid, but that not everyone will get the exact same results if any of the variables change.

    Low Carb Dulce De Leche Ice Cream

    Even if perfect low carb ice cream is a little more difficult to achieve, at least with consistency, than I originally thought, this dulce de leche ice cream recipe is still worth sharing.  Because even if it freezes a little harder and isn’t perfectly scoopable day after day, it’s so delicious, it’s worth waiting 10 minutes while it softens on your counter.  For me, this recipe worked perfectly from the get-go and it was what twigged me to the fact that my condensed milk recipe might be the perfect base for low carb ice cream.  And the salted pecans in dulce de leche ice cream?  Pure genius, although not from my own head.  Someone else’s genius altogether.  I saw a recipe for a sugar-filled version and you didn’t have to ask me twice!

    Low Carb Dulce De Leche Ice Cream

    Dulce De Leche Ice Cream with Salted Pecans

    Rich and creamy, this low carb dulce de leche ice cream is a real treat!
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    Servings: 10 servings

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup pecans roughly chopped
    • 1 tablespoon butter melted
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups Low Carb Dulce De Leche
    • 2 cups heavy cream
    • 3 tablespoon vodka optional, but helps consistency
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon stevia extract
    • ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325F and combine chopped pecans, butter and salt in a baking dish, tossing to mix thoroughly.
    • Bake 10 to 15 minutes, tossing ever 5 minutes, until golden brown.
    • Let cool in pan.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together dulce de leche, heavy cream, vodka, vanilla and stevia extract. Sprinkle with xanthan gum and whisk quickly to combine.
    • Chill 2 to 3 hours.
    • Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions.
    • Transfer to an airtight container, stir in salted pecans and press plastic wrap flush to the surface.
    • Freeze until firm, about 2 more hours
    • Any leftovers will freeze very solid. Be sure to soften in the refrigerator for half an hour before using.

    Notes

    Serves 10. Each serving has 6.3 g of carbs.
    3.1K shares

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    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Pam says

      August 27, 2013 at 7:24 pm

      I have found that using Xylitol keeps the ice cream from getting hard better even than vodka. Erithritol might as well but i haven’t tried it.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        August 28, 2013 at 6:19 am

        Interesting. The problem with xylitol for me is two-fold. It’s harder on my blood sugar levels and it’s tougher on my tummy too!

        Reply
        • Pam says

          August 31, 2013 at 8:29 pm

          The ice cream was/is delicious. However, mine was grainy ( delish anyway) I am guessing from the erythritol. I looked at a recipe to make traditional dulce de leche and all they did was add sugar and cook it down. So, I did not do the step in the oven. Question. Is yours grainy? Or, is it smooth b/c you did the oven step? I skipped it b/c it is hot and humid here in So Cal and I do not have A/C.

          Reply
          • Carolyn says

            September 01, 2013 at 3:31 pm

            Mine is smooth, but I also used Swerve which may make a difference as well.

            Reply
            • Pam says

              September 01, 2013 at 3:49 pm

              Thanks Carolyn. I will try again. Dulce de Leche ice cream is my favorite.

        • MELISSA FREDERICK says

          May 30, 2017 at 6:39 am

          I don’t keep xylitol in the house because it’s so poisonous to dogs. You never know when your pet might get a wild hair and get into something.

          Reply
    2. Louise Cohen says

      June 02, 2013 at 4:26 pm

      O…..m……g!!!! I’ve been gluten free, low carb for 5 weeks now. Came across this recipe last week. Never made ice cream before. Bought machine, made ice cream. This ice cream makes me want to dance on the roof and shout to the skies!!! Came out perfect and is better than any ice cream I’ve ever tasted in my life. Thank you!!!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        June 02, 2013 at 5:24 pm

        Wow, that’s a rave review. Thank you! Glad I could help.

        Reply
    3. Heather from Canada says

      May 05, 2013 at 9:27 pm

      Hi Carolyn, could I make this by putting the container in the freezer and stirring frequently for the first while? I don’t have an ice cream maker and have absolutely no room for another appliance. Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 06, 2013 at 5:47 am

        I don’t know, I’m afraid! I’ve never made ice cream without a maker and the churning process definitely whips air into it which helps with the consistency.

        Reply
        • Heather from Canada says

          May 06, 2013 at 4:15 pm

          Thanks. I am looking into getting one since the only to eat ice cream now is to make it myself. I cleared some room in the pantry today!

          Reply
          • Heather from Canada says

            May 15, 2013 at 1:18 pm

            So I bought the ice cream maker, and made this today. It was absolutely amazing, like Haagen Dazs good! It’s extremely rich, so I’m thinking it will last a long time since three spoonfuls or so is enough for me. I’m using my salted pecans as an optional topping because this was so creamy I didn’t want anything crunchy in it, plus my husband would prefer it plain. I only used one teaspoon of vodka as I am extremely sensitive to alcohol, so we’ll see if it gets rock hard. I am learning that I prefer the ice cream straight out of the maker, more like soft serve, rather than freezing it firm. I left my dulche de leche in the fridge for about 6 days before using it in this recipe and some crystallization happened, but I just whisked it and then put it through a fine mesh sieve and we were back in business.

            Reply
            • Carolyn says

              May 15, 2013 at 1:38 pm

              Glad it worked out so well, Heather. You will find that ice cream maker really useful this summer!

          • MELISSA FREDERICK says

            May 30, 2017 at 6:35 am

            Clemmy’s makes a good lowcarb icecream. It’s hard to find though. We usually eat Carbsmart from Breyers, but it only comes in vanilla and chocolate.

            Reply
    4. Nancy says

      March 28, 2013 at 6:06 am

      Your recipe asks for 2 cups of your Dulce DeLeche. Your recipe for DDL says makes 8 servings. Your recipe for LC condensed says it makes 1 cups. So I assume we double each recipe to get 2 cups? Thank you. And you have my sympathy for 3 year olds. I do remember those days, very trying, especially when you have other children. I agree with the wine solultion and someone that can come in right at the time when you run out the door screaming, ha ha!!! This too shall pass. Mine are all in college now, yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Yes, different problems and worries but I’ll take it!)

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 28, 2013 at 7:27 am

        Yes, you need to double the LC condensed milk to get enough Dulce De Leche to make the ice cream. Thanks for the sympathy! 😉

        Reply
    5. TidyMom says

      March 25, 2013 at 9:18 am

      this is calling my name Carolyn!!!

      Reply
    6. Vera Zecevic-Cupcakes Garden says

      March 23, 2013 at 4:07 pm

      This sounds great, low-carb and sweet and salty combo, it can’t be better

      Reply
    7. Chelsea@Chelsea Is Dishing Up says

      March 21, 2013 at 6:17 pm

      Do you think you could use flavored vodka without messing with the consistency?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 22, 2013 at 1:47 pm

        If it’s just flavoured and not sweetened, yes. Should work just fine.

        Reply
        • Chelsea@Chelsea Is Dishing Up says

          March 22, 2013 at 1:50 pm

          That’s what I was thinking, thanks! I think that new smirnoff caramel one would be yummy in this recipe!!!

          Reply
    8. jillian says

      March 20, 2013 at 12:50 am

      do you think i could make the condensed milk with coconut cream and coconut or almond milk? trying to eat minimum dairy around here. ice cream looks wonderful…thanks

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 20, 2013 at 5:39 am

        I honestly don’t know, but it’s worth a try. I wouldn’t do all coconut cream though, because that’s pretty thick on it’s own and might get gooey. How about half coconut cream, half almond milk?

        Reply
        • jillian says

          March 20, 2013 at 10:18 am

          thank you, i will let you know how it turns out, jillian

          Reply
        • jillian says

          March 20, 2013 at 10:18 am

          thank you, i will let you know how it turns out, jillian

          Reply
    9. Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says

      March 19, 2013 at 11:46 pm

      This ice cream looks so incredibly creamy and delicious!

      Reply
    10. RavieNomNoms says

      March 19, 2013 at 10:17 am

      OH MY WORD! It is only 10:15am and I am craving ice cream!

      Reply
    11. Joanne says

      March 19, 2013 at 7:23 am

      this ice cream looks like it has such a dreamy creamy texture! And anything dulce de leche sounds good to me!

      Reply
    12. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says

      March 18, 2013 at 11:52 pm

      Dulce de Leche is one of my favorite flavors!

      Reply
    13. Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says

      March 18, 2013 at 4:50 pm

      This is incredible! Can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
    14. Russell van Kraayenburg says

      March 18, 2013 at 1:11 pm

      Ooh yes this is my kind of ice cream! Just look at all the awesomness it in. Yum!

      Reply
    15. Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says

      March 18, 2013 at 10:48 am

      Big smooches to YOU! Looks so good. 🙂

      Reply
    16. Cookbook Queen says

      March 18, 2013 at 9:44 am

      This is absolutely gorgeous!!

      Reply
    17. Joshua Hampton (Cooking Classes San Diego) says

      March 18, 2013 at 9:00 am

      I’m so happy this is low-carb ice cream. It looks so decadent that if it were regular ice cream, I would feel so guilty for eating it. Or at least my wife would.

      Reply
    18. Jen @ Savory Simple says

      March 18, 2013 at 8:50 am

      I am dying to try this! I love that it’s low carb. You’re inspiring.

      Reply
    19. Brian @ A Thought For Food says

      March 18, 2013 at 7:45 am

      I’ve had a few challenges making ice cream, but overall it’s been pretty good. I am going to have to give this dulce de leche one a try! Sounds decadent!

      Reply
    20. Anne @The Cooking Campaign says

      March 18, 2013 at 7:03 am

      This is the excuse I needed to clean out my freezer to make room for my ice cream maker!

      Reply
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