Home > Recipes > Desserts > Ice Cream/Frozen Desserts > Peanut Butter Lover’s Ice Cream
by Michelle
July 25, 2013 (updated Dec 7, 2019)
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4.52 (49 ratings)
Now, you know I am one of the world’s biggest peanut butter lovers. I put peanut butter on nearly everything, and make no apologies for it. I’ve loved peanut butter since I was a kid; so much so, that I even had a peanut butter and jelly sleeping bag. Given my affinity for the stuff, it’s hard to believe that I never experienced peanut butter ice cream until I went away to college. The main dining hall at my college had an ice cream freezer where you could scoop your own ice cream on the way out. Once of the ice creams was peanut butter swirl, which was was peanut butter ice cream with an unbelievable peanut butter swirl in the middle. That ice cream played a pivotal role in my packing on the freshman fifteen, but I couldn’t quit it if I tried.
How it has taken me nearly five years of having an ice cream maker to make straight-up peanut butter ice cream is beyond me. The important thing, however, is that I did it and that it is absolutely, positively amazing. If you love peanut butter, this ice cream is for you.
To make this ice cream, I used my favorite vanilla ice cream recipe, omitted the vanilla bean and added peanut butter, then swirled in more melted peanut butter as I transferred the ice cream to its container. Basically, this is a peanut butter lover’s dream. It’s like eating big spoonfuls of smooth, creamy, cold peanut butter. I certainly mean that in the best way possible.
While I think this is definitely peanut butter ice cream in the purest form possible, you could throw even more layers of flavors in here if you’d like. You could add a fudge swirl, peanut butter cups, or any number of other add-ins. You could also scoop this into a bowl, drizzle on some hot fudge and top with whipped cream. I’ve been eating it by the spoonful from the container. I’m not here to judge how you eat your ice cream.
It may have been a long time coming, but this peanut butter ice cream was absolutely worth the wait.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy peanut butter ice cream?
One year ago: Rainbow Ribbon Jello
Two years ago: Oil and Vinegar Coleslaw
Three years ago: Quiche Lorraine Pizza
Four years ago: Eggplant Lasagna Tart with Parmesan-Basil Crust
Five years ago: Beef Wellington
Peanut Butter Lover's Ice Cream
Yield: 1 quart
Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Freezing time: 8 hours hrs
Total Time: 8 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
A rich, creamy peanut butter ice cream is spiked with peanut butter swirls.
4.52 (49 ratings)
Print Pin Rate
Ingredients
For the Ice Cream:
- 1 cup (244 ml) whole milk
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (129 g) creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups (476 ml) heavy cream, divided
- Pinch of salt
- 6 egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Peanut Butter Swirl:
- ½ cup (129 g) creamy peanut butter, melted and cooled slightly
Instructions
Warm the milk, sugar, peanut butter, 1 cup of the heavy cream and the salt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the peanut butter has melted. Continue cooking until the mixture comes to a slight simmer, bubbling around the edges of the pan.
Meanwhile, pour the remaining 1 cup heavy cream into a large bowl and place a fine-mesh sieve on top. Whisk the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Slowly pour the warmed milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly. Scrape the mixture back into the saucepan.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly with a rubber spatula, being sure to scrape the bottom of the pan as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of the spatula, a few minutes. The mixture should register 170 to 175 degrees F on an instant-read digital thermometer.
Pour the custard through the fine-mesh sieve and stir it into the cream. Stir in the vanilla extract and place the bowl over an ice bath. Stir occasionally, until the mixture is cool. Cover and transfer the custard to the refrigerator until completely chilled, at least 8 hours or overnight.
Freeze the mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. As you remove the ice cream to a freezer-safe container, drop dollops of the melted peanut butter over each layer of ice cream. Once all of the ice cream and peanut butter has been placed in the container, use a butter knife to gently swirl the mixture. Store the ice cream in the freezer.
Notes
Nutritional values are based on the whole recipe
Calories: 4259kcal, Carbohydrates: 230g, Protein: 99g, Fat: 342g, Saturated Fat: 151g, Cholesterol: 1848mg, Sodium: 1553mg, Potassium: 2471mg, Fiber: 15g, Sugar: 187g, Vitamin A: 8950IU, Vitamin C: 2.9mg, Calcium: 835mg, Iron: 7.8mg
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Author: Michelle
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Originally published July 25, 2013 — (last updated December 7, 2019)
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90 Comments on “Peanut Butter Lover’s Ice Cream”
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Brandon Garcia — Reply
I just took this ice cream out of the maker and ran around my kitchen after trying the first bite. It’s exactly what I was looking for. I made a couple small changes based on my own tastes (half the vanilla and no PB swirl) – but listen, this is a WINNER! Thanks for the wonderful recipe. It’s a keeper, and I’ll be making this one again for sure.
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Linda Moore — Reply
Question more than reply. Step 1 you’re melting peanut butter with milk etc. in last step you’re swirling more melted peanut butter? Please clarify.
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jess — Reply
I was hoping to find some clarification as well. Seem like everyone else has not mentioned how they did it or skipped it. Since im not comprehending her steps im going to just try and swirl with each layer.
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Dominique —
It’s a peanut butter swirl through the ice cream (kinda like if you were adding peanut butter cups). I’ve made it with and without…fine either way.
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Linda — Reply
This is the best, creamiest ice cream I have ever made.
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Laurence — Reply
Haven’t tested the outcome yet, it’s still cooling in the fridge, but based on the taste tests i’ve done – this should be good.
I skipped the swirl. Instead I grabbed milk chocolate, melted in a pan with chunky PB, spread it out on greaseproof paper and let set in the fridge. The plan is to crush it and put it in the machine while churning – leaving some to ad before serve. -
Janet — Reply
I am looking for a plain peanut butter ice cream recipe = can I omit the peanut butter swirl, or will it affect the flavor? Thank you!!
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Michelle — Reply
Hi Janet, You can absolutely do that. Enjoy!
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Jenna — Reply
How much is a serving
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JT — Reply
I followed this recipe exactly as written, and the ice cream turned out way too custard-y and rich. It had an unusual chewy texture too. It’s the first time I’ve made ice cream with egg yolks, so I don’t know if egg-based ice creams are supposed to have these characteristics?
People who had made this icecream & commented on here seemed to have really liked it, so maybe it’s just a personal preference that I have for the more traditional non-custard ice creams without any eggs.
The flavour was not entirely bad though, so I might try it again- maybe with 1 or 2 egg yolks instead. -
Cupcake Hostess — Reply
Holy smokes. This is epic. Incredible. Easy. Creamy. Perfection.
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Jo — Reply
I’ve never made ice cream this smooth before! I believe it was the step for sieving the egg custard before the final step of mixing and freezing. It removed any milk or egg solids. The flavor was amazing and even my husband, who isn’t a huge fan of peanut butter, scraped his bowl clean.
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Denise — Reply
If I have one 250ml single cream and one 250ml thick cream – which one do I use for which part?
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Betsy Kim — Reply
I’m a macaron baker and am always tossing my egg yolks, so I occasionally whip up some ice cream when I’m in the mood. I absolutely love everything peanut butter and I know Michelle does too, so I had to try this one. OMGosh, I’m trying hard not to finish the whole batch, but I can’t stop thinking about it. My freezer keeps calling me to take a spoonful. It’s so smooth and oh so peanutty, I just love it. I’m tempted to make a peanut butter shake, but I want it to last as long as possible. I have posted a picture on my Instagram – Betsysmacarons if you want to see how it turned out. Enjoy!
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Anniem — Reply
I made this and made a last minute decision to leave out the swirled pb and instead add crushed up peanut butter Oreos. The custard is so smooth and delicious. Very easy recipe. I will try the swirl next.
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Bronwyn — Reply
I have a peanut butter loving husband, dad and advisor, so I’m making genius kitchen’s soft peanut butter cookies then filling them with your ice cream for the ultimate peanut butter ice cream sandwich :) The only question…. to roll them in crushed peanuts or not?!
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Michelle — Reply
Oooooh yes, yes!
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Tess — Reply
Delicious! My husband makes this ice cream and it is my all time favorite! It is super smooth and creamy!
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Bridget — Reply
Whether you are a novice in the kitchen or you are a professional. I am an intermediate if you like peanut butter you need and I mean need to make this ice cream. It is unbelievably good ice cream. The flavor the texture and ease are superior. Haagen-Dazs has nothing on this. I could go on forever. I have made a quart and it is gone luckily I have a two quart ice cream maker and I have the custard in the fridgerator now for two quarts. I only made on tiny change and that was to put one full cup of peanut butter in this custard. Everything else I did as you said and I cannot stop eating this. There is no dinner made we had peanut butter cones for dinner tonight. Thank you. For the novice I recommend that you use the sieve you do not want custard pieces that set in the cooking in your ice cream. That is why you use the sieve.
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Mary Denise Galloway — Reply
Another of your 5 STAR recipes! Excellent! I used JIF creamy PB..this ice cream is amazing..as is your Vanilla Bean and your Chocolate! Thank you so very much for sharing….oh I forgot to mention your Carmel Sauce…fabulous too!
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S.C. — Reply
Very delicious ice cream. You don’t know how many frozen dairy desserts ( no eggs) recipes I had to wade through, until I found your ice cream recipe. Loved it.
I made chocolate chocolate chip cookies, so we could make ice cream sandwiches. It is rare, that I don’t have to make adjustments to a recipe, this one is a keeper. -
Tara — Reply
Oh my goodness! I’m in heaven! I have just started my ice cream maker addiction and when I saw this recipe, I had to try it immediately. The ice cream if finishing in the freezer right now, but I have to admit that there is only half a batch left. I kept “sampling” along the way and then my husband came home as it was churning and insisted he had to try a good portion of it to approve it. :) I use organic, no sugar added peanut butter and it appears that it doesn’t melt. So next time, I will try something different for the swirl, but even with that little hitch, it’s delicious. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
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Hannah — Reply
Tried this recipe and loved how it came out ! I am not a huge peanut butter fan myself but I absolutely loved this.
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Cate — Reply
I just made this, literally just now. I’m not a PB lover at all, but this is delish. I did do a couple of tweaks, such as using half and half, and crunchy PB in the ice cream, and it tasted so good after only 10 mins churning in the kitchenaid I nearly didn’t add the swirl. Yummy
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Rita — Reply
This was creamy peanut buttery deliciousness! However, I would recommend using a no stir variety of peanut butter. I used a “creamy” natural (stir in the oil at the top of the jar) kind of peanut butter and it had little gritty bits of peanuts throughout. When I strained my mixture the bits clogged up my strainer, so I ended up using a nut milk bag to squeeze everything through. I bought a jar of skippy to make the swirl, because I wanted a smooth final product, and all ended well. :)
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Susan Venditti — Reply
Made this ice cream this weekend and it was delicious! My family thought it was the best ice cream I ever made. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
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Lorelle — Reply
Used your recipe but substituted average peanut butter with
Manna Organics Toasted Coconut Cashew Butter.
This is what icecream tastes like in heaven! -
Karen Sipps — Reply
I am just seeing this recipe (thanks to Googling “peanut butter ice cream”) even though it is a year later. I am commenting ONLY to tell you that when I was a kid, my dad taught me to put a thin layer of peanut butter on hot dogs. Yes. Peanut butter on hot dogs. Thin layer, slathered right on top of the hot dog, not on the bun. I still have one that way in his honor every now and then. :-)
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Karen Sipps — Reply
P.S. The ice cream is perfection!
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Jennifer — Reply
Hi, I have been looking all over for a peanut butter vanilla image for a project I’m working on and yours is one of the only ones I’ve come across. Would you be ok if I use your image? Please just shoot me an email and let me know :)
Thank you so much! -
Lola — Reply
I just made this ice cream today. With a few alterations. It’s really delicious. I didn’t have enough cream so substituted I cup of cream for 1 cup of milk. However with all those egg yolks the custard was still super thick. It took only a minute to thicken up (usually I am stirring for ages…!). For the peanut swirl I added some chocolate to the melted peanut butter. The chocolate seized when I poured it over the ice cream (which I thought it might) so it’s now more like a choc-chip peanut butter ice cream. Still tases amazing though! My only complaint is that after I poured it out of the ice cream maker it doesn’t look like all that much ice cream. Would definitely recommend doubling the recipe.
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Megan — Reply
Oh. My. Gawd. This was amazing! I’ve never made ice cream using eggs, and wasn’t sure what to expect, but WOW! I didn’t have whole milk on hand, so I used almond milk (don’t judge), and it still was phenomenal. Best ice cream I’ve ever made, and one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Thank you!
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Robin — Reply
I made this last week and double the recipe… Man was it ever good… Will be making this again…
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Sarah — Reply
I made this ice cream tonigh and it is AMAZING. Unbelievably creamy. I made a peanut butter caramel instead of just the peanut butter ribbon, but the ice cream stole the show. Absolutely exceeded my expectations.
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Gina — Reply
I just finished making this ice cream, and MAN it is GOOD! I left out the PB swirl since I am not as much of a “peanut butter lover” as some people, but I love plain old PB ice cream and this recipe is fantastic! I even messed up prepping the custard but I don’t think it made any difference!
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Lindsay Cyr — Reply
I made this recipe over the weekend with my daughter. It was absolutely great! I may have cooked the custard for a bit too long, but it still turned out wonderful! I will definitely make this again!
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Laura — Reply
Ben And Jerrys Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Is The Very Best Although Not Cheap Try It If You Haven’t
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Natasha — Reply
This came out extremely creamy for me. I’m not sure if I did anything wrong, but it was basically butter.
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Jess S. @ Floptimism — Reply
I’m such a peanut butter fan so I love this recipe! I wanted to let you know that I’ve included this post in my blog’s Weekend Wrap-Up, where I share some of my favorite web finds from the past week. I’ve included the link below in case you’re interested. Thanks for another great recipe; enjoy your weekend!
http://floptimism.blogspot.com/2013/08/weekend-wrap-up-floptimism-rd.html
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Patti — Reply
Never posted here before but…I’m a big BEB fan with a brand new ice cream machine. Just made this and used marshmallow fluff instead of PB for the swirl. Ta da! Fluffernutter ice cream! Soooo delicious!
Love your orange sherbet & vanilla ice cream recipes, too. Must stop….. :DSee AlsoChocolate Nice Cream Recipe-
Erin — Reply
The Marshmallow fluff took the ice cream and made it super amazing!
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Lindsay — Reply
I just made this and it is amazing!!! Thank you for the recipe; it is excellent!!
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Becky — Reply
I fell in love with peanut butter ice cream on a cruise a few years ago (it may have earned the spot of BEST ICE CREAM EVER for me!!). Even though I had gotten the Kitchenaid attachment last summer, somehow I haven’t made it… well now the custard is chilling in my fridge and I will have ice cream later today! Thanks for ensuring I get it made ASAP!
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Christine — Reply
This looks A. MA. ZING!
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Grace — Reply
Oh my goodness, I absolutely need to try this. Just the other day, I scooped up some vanilla ice cream and spread some peanut butter on top of it. Must try making actual peanut butter icecream…
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Renee @ Awesome on $20 — Reply
This is the third peanut butter ice cream post I’ve read today. I love peanut butter milkshakes, so I can’t wait to try this ice cream. Sounds amazing.
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Monique Bartley — Reply
A pint of this and a corny chick flick movie is so what I need right now!
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Laura Dembowski — Reply
OMG Michelle this looks like the best ice cream ever! It’s so simple and pure pb flavor. I’ve been wanting to try pb ice cream and this is a great way to start!
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Kristi — Reply
I love peanut butter ice cream! I remember as a kid that would be the ice cream I would always pick when we were out.
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Karen - Cinnamon Freud — Reply
How have I never had peanut butter ice cream!? Thank you for helping me take the first step to rectify this- it looks amaaazing!
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Aly — Reply
I am the same way! I love peanut butter and have been making lots of ice cream, but took a while to finally make it! I just posted mine recently, too. Mine is just with a blender. :)
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YUM!! I posted a pb lovers ice cream just yesterday. Great minds :)
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Tracey — Reply
The peanut butter swirl looks out-of-this-world good! It reminds me of the pb swirl in one of our favorite store-bought flavors, and that’s a very good thing indeed!
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Moira @ Hearth and Homefront — Reply
Darn! I could really go for some of this right now! Looks totally worth the overnight wait though :)
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marie @ little kitchie — Reply
I’ll take a gallon please!
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Crushed red pepper — Reply
Hi Michelle,
Have you ever made David Lebovitz’s Peanut Butter Ice Cream? I know you are a fan of his… My husband LOVES peanut butter so I made his PB IC and we were both very disappointed. The taste was good but the texture was terrible. Yours looks delicious and smooth. I’m definitely going to have to try it.-
Michelle — Reply
I haven’t. I looked it up when I was working on my recipe, but it’s not a custard-based recipe, so I passed on it. I pretty much only make custard-based ice cream nowadays. I find their flavor and texture so superior to the non-custard versions.
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DDG — Reply
I also made David’s Peanut Butter ice cream and yes the texture was subpar. I’m going to make Michelle’s and agree that you typically need to make a custard base if you want that creamy texture.
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Beautiful pictures and Amazing Ice Cream!!
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Marcie @ Flavor The Moments — Reply
I can’t say I’ve ever had peanut butter ice cream, which is saying something because I love peanut butter. I so need an ice cream maker. I keep saying that.
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Juli — Reply
Have you ever made ice cream with coconut cream (in the can)? My daughter is allergic to dairy but loves ice cream. We have had the store bought coconut milk or almond milk varieties but I would love to make some homemade!
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Michelle — Reply
Hi Juli, I’ve never made ice cream with coconut cream. If you do, let me know how it turns out!
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Alan — Reply
We make coconut ice cream with coconut milk in the can all the time. it’s awesome. very creamy. especially with the cream top. not sure if i would substitute that in this recipe though…
I am making this recipe now! looks great!
Cheers!
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Kati — Reply
This looks so good – it makes me want to buy an ice cream maker! You’ve probably mentioned it in a previous post, but which do you use for your ice cream?
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Michelle — Reply
Hi Kati, I have the KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002IES80/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002IES80&linkCode=as2&tag=broeyebak-20
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Lynne —
I’ve also been lusting after buying an ice cream maker (I figure my wok and pasta maker need some company), but found my KitchenAid is too old for the attachment (pre 1990 :-), and the reviews I’ve read so far of the paddle ice cream makers complain too much of making milkshakes, not ice cream. Sigh, it could be that it’s not meant to be . . .
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Theresa Murphy — Reply
Peanut butter peanut butter cup ice cream is a favorite at our house!
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Amy — Reply
This sounds heavenly!
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Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie — Reply
So many pb lovers ice cream have chocolate in them. Not that I am in any way opposed to that combination but something I just want peanut butter!
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Heather @ Sugar Dish Me — Reply
One more reason to buy an ice cream maker. And a giant jar of peanut butter.
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Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl — Reply
I’m a peanut butter lover and peanut butter ice cream has been on my lips as of lately.. I want it! This recipe will definitely do the trick, thank you!
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Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes — Reply
This ice cream has my name written all over it!!
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Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen — Reply
Oh my goodness. HUGE peanut butter lover right here! I never had peanut butter ice cream until college either, because my dad wasn’t a fan of it! We always had his fave chocolate fudge brownie ice cream in the house instead :) I can’t wait to try this!
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Vickie — Reply
“Heaven…I’m in Heaven and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak!” Hey, pass the PB ice cream! Thank you so much for this beautiful dessert. You had me at the PB swirls.
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Joy @ Baking-Joy — Reply
Wow. This looks so good! I love peanut butter icecream, our cinema has just started selling peanut butter icecream with reese’s cups :-) just add some caramel sauce and I’m happy!
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Maegan @ The BakerMama — Reply
I need a big bowl of this creamy peanut butter goodness right now! This is my dream ice cream!
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Tieghan — Reply
Wait? There is a peanut butter sleeping bag? I need to scour amazon for this. That is awesome!!
So is this ice cream! I mean come on! The only thing it needs is some hot fudge sauce right on top (for me at least). YUMM!
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Linda — Reply
Love peanut butter and would love this.
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steph@stephsbitebybite — Reply
Oh you just became my bestest best friend!
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Maria — Reply
Can you make this when I come to PA? :) LOVE it!
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Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar — Reply
Confessed PB lover right here! This sounds perfect!
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Jamie @lifelovelemons — Reply
Mmmm as a seasoned peanut better lover, I think I need to make this ASAP!
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Kevin — Reply
I also had vanilla ice cream with peanut butter swirl for the first time as a Freshman at Rutgers University and fell in love with it! Haagen-Dazs used to make a vanilla with peanut butter swirls that was AMAZING, but they discontinued it (only make chocolate with peanut butter now.) I definitely will try making this! You have no idea how I’ve LONGED for the combo of vanilla and peanut butter. A shop in Boca Raton makes a flavor with Elvis as its inspiration – basically it’s vanilla ice cream, bananas and peanut butter. Pretty darn good, but still not the exact taste I long for. This recipe sounds PERFECT!! Thank you.
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Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat — Reply
OMG…this ice cream is totally calling my name! Love it!
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Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen — Reply
Dreamy PB ice cream, Michelle! I’m lovin’ that swirl. Thanks for sharing!
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Oh man Michelle, this looks amazing! I LOVE peanut butter, but I guess you can tell that from my name. lol I have to get the ice cream maker out this weekend!! Think I”ll put my bowl in the freezer now, I need this ice cream in my life, like now!!
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Emily @ Life on Food — Reply
Love, love, love! I am obsessed with peanut butter but I don’t think I have ever had plain peanut butter ice cream. Sounds like heaven!
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Laura (Tutti Dolci) — Reply
I love that PB swirl, I’d like mine topped with mini PB cups!
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Averie @ Averie Cooks — Reply
I will give you a run for your money as the worlds’ biggest peanut butter lover. I wrote a cookbook with 100+ peanut butter recipes in it! The amount of PB that was bought and eaten in this house in 2012 while I was writing the book would make your head spin :) I cannot even begin to tell you. It was a good year. lol
Last month I made Nutter Butter ice cream with crushed up NB’s in it, bourbon, salted caramel sauce, and some other goodies. But I’ve never made just straight up plain PB ice cream. Yours is gorgeous and I need to make it! I love seeing those big patches of PB!
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Sarah — Reply
I can’t believe they had ice cream RIGHT THERE, that you could just scoop and go! It would have been a freshman 50 if it was me! This looks way too good to resist.
