Pumpkin Ice Cream Substitute for Alcohol

Asked by Annette22. Answered on 17th February 2016

Full question

I have just made the Pumpkin Bund cake - which looks great. I want to make the Brandied Pumpkin Ice Cream too, but have no brandy. Can I use rum instead?

Our answer

Nigella's No-Churn Brandied Pumpkin Ice Cream (from Simply Nigella) is a good way to use up leftover pure pumpkin puree (either from a can or home-made). The ice cream is made with a combination of condensed milk, double (or whipping) cream, pumpkin puree and spices. Brandy is added for flavour but also as it helps with the texture of the ice cream.

As the ice cream contains more water (via the pumpkin puree) than the No-Churn Coffee Ice Cream, the texture can be slightly icier and alcohol, whilst not completely essential, does help to give a softer texture. Rum would be a good substitute for the brandy. Or a brandy-based liqueur such as Grand Marnier could be used as the orange flavours would work well with the pumpkin and spices.