This Giada creamy, nutty pine nut ice cream topped with warm banana caramel sauce is my go-to dessert when I want something special yet simple. The buttery crunch of the toasted pine nuts mixed into rich vanilla ice cream is pure heaven.

Trust me, it’s like the perfect blend of creamy and crunchy in every bite. To make it even cozier, I love serving it with a drizzle of warm banana caramel sauce that has just a hint of bourbon.

The sauce soaks into the ice cream, adding sweetness and warmth. It’s perfect for a quiet night in or paired with a slice of pound cake for guests.

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Recipe Ingredients

• 1 quart of premium vanilla ice cream (such as Häagen-Dazs)
• ¾ cup of toasted pine nuts
• ½ tsp of kosher salt
• 5 tbsp of unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup of packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup of bourbon
• 1 ripe banana, diced

How To Make Giada Pine Nut Ice Cream with Banana Caramel Sauce

1. Soften the Ice Cream: Take the ice cream out of the freezer and place it into a mixing bowl. Let it sit at room temperature for about 8 minutes until it’s soft enough to stir with a spoon.
2. Mix in the Pine Nuts: Add ¾ cup of toasted pine nuts and ¼ tsp of kosher salt to the softened ice cream. Gently fold in the pine nuts until evenly distributed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it back in the freezer to firm up.
3. Prepare the Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine 5 tbsp of unsalted butter, ⅓ cup of packed light brown sugar, ¼ cup of bourbon, and ¼ tsp of kosher salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the sugar fully dissolves and the sauce has a caramel-like texture. This should take about 4 minutes.
4. Add the Banana: Lower the heat and stir in the diced banana pieces. Continue to cook for an additional 3 minutes until the banana is just softened. Remove the pan from the heat and let the sauce rest for 5 minutes to cool slightly.
5. Assemble the Ice Cream: Place 2 scoops of the prepared ice cream into each serving bowl or sundae glass. Ensure each serving has an even distribution of ice cream and pine nuts for the best flavor.
6. Serve with the Sauce: Drizzle the slightly cooled banana caramel sauce over the ice cream in each bowl. Serve immediately while the sauce is still warm for the best contrast.

Recipe Tips

• For an added crunch, fold in some crushed almonds or pistachios along with the pine nuts. This creates a delightful mix of textures and brings a deeper, nutty flavor to the ice cream.
• Swap out the bourbon with dark rum or vanilla extract for a non-alcoholic twist. Both will provide a rich depth of flavor while keeping the dessert warm and comforting.
• To make the banana caramel sauce smoother, mash half of the banana before adding it. This gives the sauce a thicker, more uniform texture while keeping those tasty banana chunks.
• Prepare the caramel sauce in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave to serve it warm over the ice cream.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Recipes:

• Giada Mini Almond Butter and Strawberry Muffins
• Giada Lemon Angel Food Cupcakes
• Giada Cupcake Shake