Thanksgiving Ice Cream Recipes – Pear and Ginger Ice Cream

Introduction

Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to introduce fresh, unique twists to traditional desserts. Pear and Ginger Ice Cream is a standout recipe—luxuriously creamy, subtly spiced, and punctuated with the gentle sweetness of ripe pears. It’s an ideal finish to a hearty Thanksgiving meal, offering a refreshing, slightly tangy counterpoint to richer holiday fare. The flavors capture autumn in each scoop, impressing your guests and satisfying adventurous palates.

Why Pear and Ginger Ice Cream is a Thanksgiving Treat

This ice cream is far from ordinary. The mellow flavor of poached pears pairs beautifully with the warmth of crystallized and fresh ginger. The result? A sophisticated, not-too-sweet dessert that feels both comforting and surprisingly light. It’s a creative addition to pie-centric dessert tables and works wonderfully on its own or as an accompaniment to apple or pecan pie.

Preparing the Pear and Ginger Base

Start by poaching fresh pears with a touch of sugar and lemon juice to concentrate their flavor, then puree to form a silky base. Infuse your custard or cream mixture with both freshly grated and crystallized ginger for layers of complex spice—enough to warm, but not overpower. A brief rest allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making every spoonful irresistible.

Churning and Freezing Your Thanksgiving Ice Cream

Allowing the mixture to chill thoroughly before churning is the secret to a rich, creamy texture. Once churned, fold in diced pears or extra crystallized ginger for bite and surprise in every mouthful. Let the ice cream firm up in the freezer at least 4 hours before serving for clean scoops and maximum flavor integration.

Serving Suggestions for a Memorable Dessert

Scoop generous portions into small bowls and sprinkle with toasted pecans or a drizzle of honey. Pear and Ginger Ice Cream also shines as a sidekick to Thanksgiving pies (pumpkin, apple, or pecan) or served in dainty glasses with sparkling apple cider. For extra flair, finish with a twist of lemon zest or a thin shortbread biscuit.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 1 quart, or 6–8 servings. Each serving is roughly 220 calories, depending on the dairy used. Pear and Ginger Ice Cream is a lighter dessert option—flavorful without being overly rich—making it perfect for rounding off a heavy holiday feast.

Pear and Ginger Ice Cream: Recap

Uniquely autumnal and refreshingly silky, Pear and Ginger Ice Cream is a Thanksgiving showstopper. The subtle interplay of sweet pears and zingy ginger delivers a dessert that’s festive, balanced, and sure to impress both classic and adventurous eaters.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and stress-free Thanksgiving meal planning.

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine pears, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until pears are soft and syrupy (8–10 minutes). Cool slightly, then puree until smooth and set aside.
2. In another saucepan, warm milk and fresh ginger just until steaming. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep 10 minutes. Strain out ginger if desired for a smoother texture.
3. Whisk egg yolks, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and salt in a bowl until pale and thick.
4. Slowly pour the warm milk into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring, until mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon (170–175°F).
5. Stir in heavy cream and crystallized ginger. Whisk in the cooled pear puree. Chill mixture completely in the refrigerator (3–4 hours or overnight).
6. Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. For extra texture, fold in diced cooked pears or more crystallized ginger as you transfer to a container.
7. Freeze until firm, 4 hours or overnight. Serve garnished with optional toasted pecans or shortbread biscuits.

Weekly Meal Planning

Pear and Ginger Ice Cream isn’t just for holidays—it’s great for weekly meal prep, especially during fall. Save and schedule this recipe to plan when you’ll make it, then easily consolidate ingredients into a smart, sectioned shopping list.

Planning Benefits:

• Keeps all your holiday (and weekly) shopping organized and streamlined
• Prevents duplicate purchases—helpful when multiple recipes call for eggs, dairy, or spices
• Calculates total ingredient needs for all planned meals and desserts
• Saves time at the store and reduces kitchen stress

Pro tip: If you’re baking pies or breads with pears or ginger, CookifyAI combines all like-ingredients, showing exactly how much to buy and minimizing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chill & Freeze Time: 8 hours+
Total Time: 9 hours (mostly inactive)

Enjoy a new Thanksgiving tradition that’s flavorful, unique, and easier to plan with CookifyAI!